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How do I prepare for my ultrasound or test?
Choose your test to see how to prepare for your ultrasound, mammogram, X-ray, heart test or blood test: whether to fast, how much water to drink, what to wear and what to bring.
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Medically reviewed by Dr. Akanksha Bajpai on 12 November 2026
Your preparation checklist
Procedures are planned for each patient. The centre will give you personal instructions when you book; the points below are general.
This is general information, not medical advice or a diagnosis. If your doctor or the centre gave you different instructions, follow those.
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Preparation for every test
The same checklists, test by test.
Ultrasound
Whole abdomen ultrasound
Food and fasting
- Do not eat for 6 hours before the scan. For a morning scan, have nothing after dinner. Small sips of plain water are fine.
Water and bladder
- Your bladder should be full: drink 4 to 5 glasses of water (about 1 litre) 1 hour before the scan and do not pass urine until the scan is over.
Medicines
- Take your usual medicines with a small sip of water.
- If you have diabetes and need to fast, ask your doctor how to take your diabetes medicines that morning, and tell us when you book so we can try to give an early slot.
Clothing
- Wear loose, comfortable clothes that are easy to remove or roll up. Leave jewellery at home.
What to bring
- Your doctor’s prescription or test slip, and any earlier reports, films or CDs of the same part of the body.
Timing
- Come 15 minutes before your appointment time to register.
Tell us before the test if
- You are or might be pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
Upper abdomen ultrasound (liver, gallbladder, pancreas)
Food and fasting
- Do not eat for 6 hours before the scan. For a morning scan, have nothing after dinner. Small sips of plain water are fine.
Water and bladder
- A full bladder is not needed for this scan.
Medicines
- Take your usual medicines with a small sip of water.
- If you have diabetes and need to fast, ask your doctor how to take your diabetes medicines that morning, and tell us when you book so we can try to give an early slot.
Clothing
- Wear loose, comfortable clothes that are easy to remove or roll up. Leave jewellery at home.
What to bring
- Your doctor’s prescription or test slip, and any earlier reports, films or CDs of the same part of the body.
Timing
- Come 15 minutes before your appointment time to register.
Tell us before the test if
- You are or might be pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
KUB ultrasound (kidneys, ureters, bladder)
Food and fasting
- No fasting is needed. You can eat and drink as usual.
Water and bladder
- Your bladder should be full: drink 4 to 5 glasses of water (about 1 litre) 1 hour before the scan and do not pass urine until the scan is over.
Medicines
- Take your usual medicines unless your doctor has told you otherwise.
Clothing
- Wear loose, comfortable clothes that are easy to remove or roll up. Leave jewellery at home.
What to bring
- Your doctor’s prescription or test slip, and any earlier reports, films or CDs of the same part of the body.
Timing
- Come 15 minutes before your appointment time to register.
Tell us before the test if
- You are or might be pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
Pelvic ultrasound through the abdomen
Food and fasting
- No fasting is needed. You can eat and drink as usual.
Water and bladder
- Your bladder should be full: drink 4 to 5 glasses of water (about 1 litre) 1 hour before the scan and do not pass urine until the scan is over.
Medicines
- Take your usual medicines unless your doctor has told you otherwise.
Clothing
- Wear loose, comfortable clothes that are easy to remove or roll up. Leave jewellery at home.
What to bring
- Your doctor’s prescription or test slip, and any earlier reports, films or CDs of the same part of the body.
Timing
- Come 15 minutes before your appointment time to register.
Tell us before the test if
- You are or might be pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
Transvaginal ultrasound (TVS)
Food and fasting
- No fasting is needed. You can eat and drink as usual.
Water and bladder
- Pass urine just before the scan, so that your bladder is empty.
Medicines
- Take your usual medicines unless your doctor has told you otherwise.
Clothing
- Wear loose, comfortable clothes that are easy to remove or roll up. Leave jewellery at home.
What to bring
- Your doctor’s prescription or test slip, and any earlier reports, films or CDs of the same part of the body.
Timing
- If your doctor asked for the scan on a particular day of your cycle, book for that day.
- If you have your period on the day, tell us; the scan can often still be done.
Tell us before the test if
- You are or might be pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
- You would like a female staff member to be present. A thin covered probe is placed gently in the vagina; you can ask to stop at any time.
Pregnancy ultrasound, first trimester (up to 13 weeks)
Food and fasting
- No fasting is needed. You can eat and drink as usual.
Water and bladder
- A partly full bladder helps in early pregnancy: drink 2 to 3 glasses of water 1 hour before and do not pass urine until we ask.
Medicines
- Take your usual medicines unless your doctor has told you otherwise.
Clothing
- Wear loose, comfortable clothes that are easy to remove or roll up. Leave jewellery at home.
What to bring
- Your doctor’s prescription, your antenatal card and earlier pregnancy scan reports.
- A photo ID. By law (PCPNDT Act), a form is filled for every pregnancy scan.
Timing
- Come 15 minutes before your appointment time to register.
Tell us before the test if
- By law, the sex of the baby is not told or shown.
Pregnancy ultrasound, second and third trimester (from 14 weeks)
Food and fasting
- No fasting is needed. You can eat and drink as usual.
Water and bladder
- A full bladder is usually not needed. Pass urine before the scan if you are uncomfortable.
Medicines
- Take your usual medicines unless your doctor has told you otherwise.
Clothing
- Wear loose, comfortable clothes that are easy to remove or roll up. Leave jewellery at home.
What to bring
- Your doctor’s prescription, your antenatal card and earlier pregnancy scan reports.
- A photo ID. By law (PCPNDT Act), a form is filled for every pregnancy scan.
Timing
- Some scans are done in a set week of pregnancy (for example the anomaly scan). Book the week your doctor advised.
Tell us before the test if
- By law, the sex of the baby is not told or shown.
- You notice less movement of the baby, bleeding or leaking fluid: contact your doctor or a hospital straight away, do not wait for the scan.
Thyroid and neck ultrasound
Food and fasting
- No fasting is needed. You can eat and drink as usual.
Medicines
- Take your usual medicines unless your doctor has told you otherwise.
Clothing
- Wear a top with an open neck and leave necklaces at home.
What to bring
- Your doctor’s prescription, earlier neck scan reports and recent thyroid blood test reports.
Timing
- Come 15 minutes before your appointment time to register.
Tell us before the test if
- You are or might be pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
Breast ultrasound
Food and fasting
- No fasting is needed. You can eat and drink as usual.
Medicines
- Take your usual medicines unless your doctor has told you otherwise.
Clothing
- Wear a two-piece outfit (top and trousers or skirt) so that you only need to remove your top.
What to bring
- Your doctor’s prescription and earlier breast ultrasound and mammogram reports and images.
Timing
- Come 15 minutes before your appointment time to register.
Tell us before the test if
- You are or might be pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
- You have breast implants, have had breast surgery, or have a lump or other change you have noticed.
Scrotal ultrasound
Food and fasting
- No fasting is needed. You can eat and drink as usual.
Medicines
- Take your usual medicines unless your doctor has told you otherwise.
Clothing
- Wear loose, comfortable clothes that are easy to remove or roll up. Leave jewellery at home.
What to bring
- Your doctor’s prescription or test slip, and any earlier reports, films or CDs of the same part of the body.
Timing
- Come 15 minutes before your appointment time to register.
Tell us before the test if
- You have sudden, severe pain or swelling: go to a hospital emergency straight away, do not wait for an appointment.
Joint and soft-tissue (musculoskeletal) ultrasound
Food and fasting
- No fasting is needed. You can eat and drink as usual.
Medicines
- Take your usual medicines unless your doctor has told you otherwise.
Clothing
- Wear clothes that let us reach the joint easily, for example a sleeveless top for the shoulder or shorts for the knee.
What to bring
- Your doctor’s prescription or test slip, and any earlier reports, films or CDs of the same part of the body.
Timing
- Come 15 minutes before your appointment time to register.
Tell us before the test if
- You are or might be pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
Colour Doppler of the arms or legs (arteries or veins)
Food and fasting
- No fasting is needed. You can eat and drink as usual.
Medicines
- Take your usual medicines unless your doctor has told you otherwise.
Clothing
- Wear loose clothes that can be rolled up or removed from the whole arm or leg.
What to bring
- Your doctor’s prescription or test slip, and any earlier reports, films or CDs of the same part of the body.
Timing
- A limb Doppler can take 30 to 45 minutes. Come 15 minutes early to register.
Tell us before the test if
- You are or might be pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
- You have a wound, ulcer or dressing on the limb.
Abdominal or renal (kidney) Doppler
Food and fasting
- Do not eat for 6 hours before the scan. For a morning scan, have nothing after dinner. Small sips of plain water are fine.
Medicines
- Take your usual medicines with a small sip of water.
- If you have diabetes and need to fast, ask your doctor how to take your diabetes medicines that morning, and tell us when you book so we can try to give an early slot.
Clothing
- Wear loose, comfortable clothes that are easy to remove or roll up. Leave jewellery at home.
What to bring
- Your doctor’s prescription or test slip, and any earlier reports, films or CDs of the same part of the body.
Timing
- Come 15 minutes before your appointment time to register.
Tell us before the test if
- You are or might be pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
Mammography
Mammography or 3D mammography
Food and fasting
- No fasting is needed. You can eat and drink as usual.
Medicines
- Take your usual medicines unless your doctor has told you otherwise.
Clothing
- Wear a two-piece outfit (top and trousers or skirt) so that you only need to remove your top.
- On the day, do not use deodorant, talcum powder, cream or perfume on your chest or underarms. They can show up on the images.
What to bring
- Your doctor’s prescription (if you have one) and all earlier mammograms and breast ultrasound reports, with images or CDs, so that we can compare.
Timing
- If you still have periods, the best time is the week after your period, when the breasts are least tender.
- The breast is pressed for a few seconds for each picture. It can be uncomfortable but gives clearer images.
Tell us before the test if
- You are or might be pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
- You have breast implants or have had breast surgery.
- You have a lump, pain in one spot, nipple discharge or a skin change. Tell us when you book, as you may need to see the breast radiologist.
X-ray
Digital X-ray
Food and fasting
- Most X-rays need no preparation. For an X-ray of the abdomen or spine, follow any special instructions your doctor gave you.
Medicines
- Take your usual medicines unless your doctor has told you otherwise.
Clothing
- Wear clothes without metal (zips, buttons, hooks). Remove jewellery, hair clips and anything metal from the area.
What to bring
- Your doctor’s prescription or test slip, and any earlier reports, films or CDs of the same part of the body.
Timing
- Come 15 minutes before your appointment time to register.
Tell us before the test if
- You are or might be pregnant. Always tell us before any X-ray.
Heart tests
2D Echo
Food and fasting
- No fasting is needed. You can eat and drink as usual.
Medicines
- Take your usual medicines unless your doctor has told you otherwise.
Clothing
- Wear a two-piece outfit (top and trousers or skirt) so that you only need to remove your top.
What to bring
- Your doctor’s prescription, your recent ECG, earlier echo reports and your list of medicines.
Timing
- Come 15 minutes before your appointment time to register.
Tell us before the test if
- You are or might be pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
ECG
Food and fasting
- No fasting is needed. You can eat and drink as usual.
Medicines
- Take your usual medicines unless your doctor has told you otherwise.
Clothing
- Wear a two-piece outfit (top and trousers or skirt) so that you only need to remove your top.
- Do not put oil, cream or lotion on your chest that day; it stops the stickers from holding.
What to bring
- Your doctor’s prescription, earlier ECGs and your list of medicines.
Timing
- Sit and rest for a few minutes before the ECG.
Tell us before the test if
- You have chest pain, breathlessness or feel faint: go to a hospital emergency straight away.
Blood tests
Fasting blood tests (fasting sugar, lipid profile)
Food and fasting
- Fast for 10 to 12 hours before the sample: for example, nothing after dinner and the sample the next morning. Plain water is allowed.
- No tea, coffee, juice, chewing gum or smoking during the fast.
- Avoid alcohol for 24 hours before a lipid profile.
Medicines
- Ask your doctor whether to take your morning medicines before or after the sample.
- If you have diabetes and need to fast, ask your doctor how to take your diabetes medicines that morning, and tell us when you book so we can try to give an early slot.
Clothing
- Wear a top with loose sleeves that roll up easily.
What to bring
- Your doctor’s prescription or test slip, and any earlier reports, films or CDs of the same part of the body.
Timing
- Come in the morning, and bring a snack to eat after the sample.
Tell us before the test if
- You feel dizzy or unwell while fasting.
Thyroid tests (T3, T4, TSH)
Food and fasting
- No fasting is needed. You can eat and drink as usual.
Medicines
- If you take a thyroid tablet, ask your doctor whether to give the sample before your morning dose.
Clothing
- Wear a top with loose sleeves that roll up easily.
What to bring
- Your doctor’s prescription or test slip, and any earlier reports, films or CDs of the same part of the body.
Timing
- Come 15 minutes before your appointment time to register.
Tell us before the test if
- You are or might be pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
- You take biotin (vitamin B7) or a hair, skin and nail supplement. It can change thyroid results.
Routine blood and urine tests (CBC, KFT, LFT, urine)
Food and fasting
- No fasting is needed, unless a fasting test is booked at the same time.
Water and bladder
- For a urine test, collect a midstream sample in the clean container the lab gives you. The first urine of the morning is best.
Medicines
- Take your usual medicines unless your doctor has told you otherwise.
Clothing
- Wear a top with loose sleeves that roll up easily.
What to bring
- Your doctor’s prescription or test slip, and any earlier reports, films or CDs of the same part of the body.
Timing
- Come 15 minutes before your appointment time to register.
Tell us before the test if
- You are or might be pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
- You are on your period, if a urine test is booked.
Image-guided procedures
FNAC, biopsy, aspiration or drainage
Food and fasting
- The centre will give you personal instructions when you book, including whether to eat beforehand. Please follow those.
Medicines
- Do not stop or change any medicine on your own. Your doctor will tell you what to do.
Clothing
- Wear loose, comfortable clothes that are easy to remove or roll up. Leave jewellery at home.
What to bring
- Your doctor’s prescription and all earlier scan reports, images and blood test reports for this problem.
- Your list of medicines.
Timing
- Someone may need to come with you and take you home, especially after a biopsy or drainage. Ask when you book.
Tell us before the test if
- You take any blood thinner (for example aspirin, clopidogrel or warfarin) or have a bleeding problem.
- You have an allergy, especially to a local anaesthetic or to any medicine.
- You are or might be pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
Preparing for a scan: common questions
Why do I need to fast before an abdominal ultrasound?
After a meal the gallbladder empties and the bowel fills with gas, which hides the organs. Fasting for about 6 hours keeps the gallbladder full and the view clear.
Why do some scans need a full bladder?
A full bladder pushes the bowel aside and acts as a window, so the bladder, uterus, ovaries or prostate can be seen clearly.
Can I take my medicines before the test?
Usually yes, with a small sip of water. If you take diabetes medicines or a blood thinner, ask your doctor first. Do not stop any medicine on your own.
What if I ate or passed urine by mistake?
Tell the staff when you arrive. Sometimes the scan can still be done, or after drinking more water; sometimes another time is better.
My doctor gave me different instructions. Which do I follow?
Always follow your own doctor’s instructions or the instructions the centre gives you when you book. This guide is general.