Do I need a referral?
No referral needed
Wait after minor dental surgery?
2 weeks
Wait after major surgery?
3 months
When do I get my report?
1–2 weeks
Cold challenge required?
No — not used
Covered by insurance?
Usually not
Who can benefit from thermal imaging?
Thermal imaging is ideal for anyone wanting a proactive approach to their health. Rather than focusing solely on diagnosing disease, thermography supports a shift toward Health Discovery — monitoring your body's patterns and making informed lifestyle choices before issues develop. It's especially valuable for people who want to partner with their healthcare practitioners to track progress and identify early changes.
I've seen negative news stories about breast thermography. Should I be concerned?
These stories usually arise when the technology is misused or when untrained providers make inaccurate claims. When performed by certified technicians following strict clinical guidelines and FDA-compliant protocols, thermography is safe and powerful — offering unique physiological insight that no other technology can provide.
Is thermography a replacement for other imaging tests like MRI or ultrasound?
No — thermography is a functional imaging tool, detecting heat patterns, inflammation, and vascular activity to show how the body is functioning. Tests like MRI or ultrasound are structural imaging tools, designed to look at anatomy and physical structures. Think of it like an EKG versus an echocardiogram — both look at the heart but from entirely different perspectives. The best results come from combining tests for a more comprehensive picture.
Thermography offers unique information about physiological changes that no other technology can provide, but it is not a substitute for traditional imaging.
Does thermography replace mammography?
No. Mammography uses low-dose radiation to screen for structural changes that may indicate disease. Thermography measures temperature variations and patterns — it doesn't diagnose or "hunt for" cancer, but helps assess overall breast health and function. Used correctly, it serves as a valuable complementary tool.
Can thermography detect issues with internal organs like the uterus or ovaries?
Thermography measures temperature patterns on the surface of the skin, with sensitivity up to about 5mm deep. It cannot visualize or detect abnormalities within deeper internal organs. Thermography is best understood as a surface temperature assessment tool — highly useful for physiological patterns, but not a replacement for imaging that visualizes internal organs.
Why choose a full body or health study thermogram?
For your first thermogram, we recommend a Full Body or Health Study exam, which captures multiple regions and provides the most comprehensive insight into your physiology. While a breast thermogram alone can be helpful, it offers only a limited view of overall body function.
Is a cold challenge necessary for an accurate breast thermogram?
No — the cold challenge is no longer used. Research as far back as the late 1980s showed it did not improve accuracy. The American Academy of Thermology (AAT) reaffirmed this in its 2013 internationally peer-reviewed guidelines.
I use an ice pack for arthritis most days. Is that a problem?
Using an ice pack the night before your appointment is fine. However, please avoid using one on the day of your scan, as it may affect your results.
How many pixels do your cameras have?
Our high-resolution cameras are 161,200 pixels — likely double what many other clinics use. Combined with a CAT 8 cable and a NETD of less than 30 mK, our system produces images as sharp and detailed as higher-pixel cameras used elsewhere.
Who interprets the results, and when will I receive them?
Reports are typically delivered within one to two weeks of your appointment.
Do the reports provide a diagnosis?
Reports do not diagnose, but they do make suggestions based on what the thermogram reveals — meant to support conversations with your healthcare practitioner.
Do head thermograms detect brain inflammation?
It depends on the type and location of inflammation. Because thermography reads surface heat, it may detect certain patterns — however, the patient would need to be bald for the scan to be effective in that area.
Is thermography covered by insurance?
Thermography is not normally covered by insurance. While some patients have attempted to submit claims using CPT code 93740, we are unable to provide specific diagnosis or procedure codes for this service. You may be able to include the cost as an out-of-pocket medical expense when filing your taxes — we recommend consulting your tax advisor to see if this applies to you.
