Can I Get an X-ray Privately? Your Quick Guide
If you are wondering, “Can I get an X-ray privately?”, the short answer is yes. With Vista Health, you can see one of our experienced private GPs who can, if appropriate, refer you for a private X-ray scan at one of our nationwide clinics.
But what can an X-ray detect? What are the risks and benefits of an X-ray? And what can you expect on the day of your X-ray examination? We will explore these questions and more here.
What is an X-ray?
An X-ray is a type of medical imaging tool and, interchangeably, the name of an imaging test delivered by this tool. An X-ray uses ionising radiation to produce images of the inside of your body. It is a safe, non-invasive and painless procedure.
When X-rays are passed through your body, some are absorbed and some pass straight through. The amount of X-ray radiation your body absorbs determines the ray images that are created.
Different body tissues absorb different amounts of X-ray radiation. Dense tissues, such as bones, absorb more and appear white on the X-ray images, while soft tissues, such as fat and muscle, absorb less and appear as shades of grey. Air appears black.
So, X-ray scans can create images that reveal bone fractures, and abnormalities in internal organs such as the lungs, kidneys, heart, and teeth. These images produced help diagnose a wide range of medical conditions.
What conditions can an X-ray detect?
Standard X-rays are most often used to detect bone fractures (breaks in your bones). However, they can also be used to detect other problems with your bones, including:
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Bone tumours — growths that can be cancerous or non-cancerous
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Bone infections (osteomyelitis) — these are usually caused by bacteria eg an injury that damages the skin can become infected and spread deeper into the underlying tissue, eventually infecting the bone
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Osteoarthritis — wear and tear of the joints over time; this causes the cartilage covering the ends of the bones to deteriorate, which leads to the exposed ends of the bones rubbing against each other
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Osteoporosis — also known as brittle bones, this disease refers to reduced bone density; it is usually detected with a specialised ray procedure called a DEXA scan
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Scoliosis — abnormal curving of the spine
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Tooth cavities and infections — these are imaged using a dental X-ray
X-ray examinations are also used to help diagnose problems with other tissues and organs, including:
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Heart failure and chest pain through chest X-rays
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Large kidney stones — small kidney stones are usually detected using a CT scan or an ultrasound scan
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Lung cancer
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Lung infections eg pneumonia and tuberculosis
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Breast cancer with special imaging
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X-Ray imaging, such as contrast X-rays, can help view blood vessels or highlight specific areas with a contrast agent.
Risks and benefits of an X-ray
Radiation
Having an X-ray exposes you to ionising radiation. However, the levels used during an X-ray are low.
For example, an X-ray of your lower spine exposes you to the same amount of ionising radiation that you would naturally be exposed to in the environment over 6 months.
A chest X-ray would expose you to even less radiation, roughly equivalent to 10 days of exposure to radiation present in the environment. The dose of radiation you would be exposed to during a special type of X-ray called a DEXA scan is equivalent to just 3 hours of exposure to environmental radiation.
Overall, the radiation dose in most X-ray scans is considered safe and carries a very low risk of developing cancer. Nonetheless, if you are pregnant, X-ray work is generally avoided unless medically necessary, especially near the womb. This is to avoid any potential risks associated with exposing a foetus to ionising radiation. In general, the further away the body area being imaged is from the womb, the lower the risk to the foetus.
Speed
Having an X-ray is a relatively quick test when compared to other imaging tests, such as MRI scans and CT scans. An X-ray is usually completed within 10–15 minutes, whereas MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and CT scans can take between 30 and 90 minutes. However, X-rays are limited in resolution for soft tissue, such as ligaments or cartilage.
Image resolution
Although X-rays are useful for imaging bones and detecting certain changes in specific organs, such as the lungs, kidneys and heart, they do not provide clear images of most soft tissues. They, therefore, cannot provide high-resolution images of fat, muscle, ligaments and cartilage.
2D vs 3D
X-ray machines provide 2D X-ray images of the inside of your body. Although they can be created from multiple and different angles, they cannot provide a complete 360° picture of the inside of your body. This is in contrast to CT scans and MRI scans, which can create 3D images of the inside of your body.
Cost
An X-ray is typically less expensive than a CT scan or MRI scan. This is because the technology needed to perform an X-ray is simpler, which means the equipment costs less to purchase and maintain.
So, how much does it cost for a private X-ray?
At Vista Health, we offer a fixed price of £99 for our private X-rays no matter which part of your body is imaged.
We also offer a fixed price for our DEXA scan (a special type of X-ray to measure your bone density), which costs £145.
What is the difference between an X-ray and a DEXA scan?
A DEXA scan is a type of X-ray scan that is specially designed to measure the density of your bones. It stands for Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry and uses lower doses of ionising ray radiation than a typical X-ray.
A DEXA scan focuses on creating images of your spine and hips. The scan takes about 20 minutes to complete.
A DEXA scan is most often performed in women over the age of 50 who have a higher risk of developing osteoporosis.
What to expect during your private X-ray
Before your X-ray
You do not need to fast before an X-ray. You can eat and drink as you normally would.
When you arrive for your scan, you will need to remove any accessories or clothing that contain metal eg hair clips, jewellery and clothing with metal buttons or zips. This is because metal absorbs X-rays very well. Consequently, any metal on your body during your scan will create bright white areas on the X-ray image. This can obscure imaging of your body tissues.
During your X-ray
You will either be asked to lie down on an examination table or stand against a flat surface — this will depend on which part of your body needs to be imaged. A device called an X-ray generator will be positioned over or in front of the part of your body being investigated.
The X-ray generator looks like a large tube with a window. It contains a filament that looks similar to what you find inside a light bulb. It releases X-ray beams into your body.
If you are lying down, another device called an X-ray detector will be located underneath you — it is usually part of the examination table. If you are standing up, the X-ray detector will be located behind you. The X-ray detector picks up any X-rays that pass through your body.
In the past, X-rays were detected using a special film. Today, X-rays are detected using digital sensors in the X-ray detector device. This digital information is sent to a computer where it is converted into an X-ray image.
An X-ray takes less than a second to create an image. However, multiple images may need to be taken from several angles to capture a clear final image of the area of interest. You will need to stay completely still during your X-ray to prevent blurry images.
After your X-ray
You can return to your usual activities straight after your X-ray.
Your X-ray results will be assessed by a doctor who specialises in medical imaging (a radiologist).
At Vista Health, we aim to have your imaging report ready within 3 working days. We will send you a report with insights from one of our radiologists. This report can also be sent to your NHS GP, and you can share it with other healthcare professionals.
How to arrange your private X-ray
If you are concerned about unexplained pain or discomfort, you can book a private consultation with one of our experienced GPs. They will discuss your concerns with you and if appropriate refer you for a private X-ray with Vista Health.
With X-ray appointments readily available at our nationwide clinics, you can arrange your X-ray promptly and around your schedule.
Ready to book your private X-ray?
Do you think you may have fractured a bone? Worried that you have a chest infection or heart failure? Or perhaps you are concerned about unexplained pain or discomfort. A private X-ray could help you find the answers you are looking for.
Discover more about our private X-ray service today.
Sources
https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info/safety-xray#81426d679d504b8f9a595b2b5d7d1eff
https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/x-ray/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/x-ray/about/pac-20395303