How Long To Get Xray Results

An x-ray uses a small amount of radiation to create images of your bones and internal organs. X-rays are most often used to detect bone or joint problems, or to check the heart and lungs.

Structures containing air (such as the lungs) will be black, muscle, fat, and fluid will appear as shades of gray and dense structures such as bones will block most of the x-ray particles, and will appear white.

What to expect when you have an x-ray

You will be asked to remove your watch, jewellery or garments with metal closures from the part of your body being imaged. These items can block part of the image.

You may be asked to wear a gown.
You may be asked about your overall health or any medications you take.

Let the radiographer (the person who performs your x-ray) know if you:

are or may be pregnant
have had an x-ray of this part of your body before
have metal (eg,. a pacemaker or a surgical pin) in the part of your body being imaged.

During your x-ray

You will be asked to lie on a table, sit or stand.
A lead apron may be draped over part of your body to shield it from the x-rays.
With an x-ray of your chest or abdomen, you will have to take a deep breath and hold it for a few seconds.
Having an x-ray is like having a photo taken. You need to hold still and you will not feel anything.
While having an x-ray is painless, sometimes the position needed for the best view of the area being x-rayed is uncomfortable for a minute or two.
For best results, remain as still as you can during your x-ray exam.
These days, having an x-ray is very quick and most only take 5 to 10 minutes.

After your x-ray

The films or images will be viewed by a radiologist (doctor who specialises in imaging) who will describe what the x-ray shows. This report will then be sent to your doctor who will discuss the test results with you during a follow-up appointment or over the phone.

Are there any risks?

Some people are concerned that having an x-ray increases your chance of getting cancer. However, it is also believed that you would have to be x-rayed many, many times to receive the amount of radiation that would be bad for your health. The amount of radiation you get from having a chest or limb x-ray is much less than the Earth's natural radiation you are exposed to every day.

Chest x-ray

A chest x-ray is a 'picture' that shows the ribs, lungs, diaphragm and size of the heart. undefined

When someone is acutely unwell with shortness of breath, fever and cough, a chest xray may be ordered to look for signs of infection, (such as pneumonia) inflammation, fluid build up in the lungs or tumours or masses.
It is often used to assess people who have smoked for many years to look for signs of chronic lung disease and lung cancer.
A chest x-ray is also often done before an operation to check the lungs and heart appear normal.

Joint or limb x-ray

If you have ongoing pain in a joint such as a hip, knee or hands, you may have an x-ray to look for signs of arthritis.
Joint or limb x-rays are also done after an injury to look for broken bones or other causes of the pain.
Structures containing air will be black, and muscle, fat, and fluid will appear as shades of gray.

Learn more

X-ray – an introduction NHS Choices, UK, 2014

Radiology services

In New Zealand, radiology services such as X-rays, are available through public and private providers.

Public Services

Find radiology services in your region HealthPoint NZ

Private Services

Find private radiology services in your region HealthPoint NZ

Auckland DHB - Walk-in service

The Greenlane Clinical Centre Radiology Service walk-in referral process

The Auckland Radiology Service at Greenlane Clinical Centre has recently undergone an improvement project to minimise patient wait times and optimise patient flow.

You can turn up with a referral from your doctor or nurse practitioner without an appointment.

For a chest x-ray: Anytime between Monday to Friday 0800-1630
All other x-rays: Monday to Friday 0800-0930 and 1430-1630

For health providers:

Send an e-referral to the Auckland DHB Radiology Service, and write the words WALK IN as a first point in the referral details box
Print the referral, and give it to the patient
Advise the patient to visit the service within two weeks
Advise the patient the best hours for;

Chest x-rays: Monday to Friday 0800-1630
All other x-rays: Monday to Friday 0800-0930 and 1430-1630

This advice applies to the Auckland DHB Radiology Service at the Greenlane Clinical Centre only.

For further information concerning the Auckland DHB walk-in radiology service visit Heathpoint.