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Seattle Nuclear Medicine
Seattle, WA
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Practice website
Office
Seattle, WA
About
Bio
After his undergraduate studies, Dr. Djang volunteered for two years service in the Peace Corps where he taught science to high school students in Malawi, Africa. He returned home and completed medical school at UT Southwestern before going to the University of Washington for Nuclear Medicine residency. He has been working at Swedish Medical Center in downtown Seattle since 2003.
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Nuclear Medicine
Doctor Q&A
74 Answers
53 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. David Djanganswered
Nuclear Medicine 24 years experience
Essentially not.: There is radiation with a bone scan, but it's reasonably low. Your drive to the clinic/hospital was probably more dangerous than the scan itself.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. David Djanganswered
Nuclear Medicine 24 years experience
Many things.: Depending on the indication, it can be demonstrate cancer, type of dementia, and the functional center of epileptogenesis (focal sources of seizures).... Read More
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 55-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Djanganswered
Nuclear Medicine 24 years experience
Probably not.: I would worry much more about the lung nodule than i would the quantity of scans.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 56-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Djanganswered
Nuclear Medicine 24 years experience
RBC SPECT or MRI: A red blood cell (rbc) labeled spect with nuclear medicine, or an MRI would be the best test. A bone scan (whether traditional or with naf18 pet) woul... Read More
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. David Djanganswered
Nuclear Medicine 24 years experience
It depends.: Depends on the pattern and morphology of where the bone scan is hot. If it lights up in a focal fashion, it would be at least possible that a tumor co... Read More
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. David Djanganswered
Nuclear Medicine 24 years experience
Probably not.: If you weren't on enough synthroid, (thyroxine) it would make you more likely to gain weight. But your doctor has probably been monitoring your level ... Read More
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 50-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Djanganswered
Nuclear Medicine 24 years experience
See below.: Ct shows anatomy, making a MAP of different tissue densities (eg, bone is denser than lung). Mri shows a combination of anatomy and physiology, and in... Read More
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Djanganswered
Nuclear Medicine 24 years experience
No more tanning!: I would discourage anyone from using tanning beds, regardless of whether they have had ct scans or not.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. David Djanganswered
Nuclear Medicine 24 years experience
Depends on how much.: A massive amount of radiation would cause death, but it is important to remember most scenarios have much less exposure than that. Even the workers at... Read More
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. David Djanganswered
Nuclear Medicine 24 years experience
I-131 > meds > surg: Many people try the anti-thyroid meds first (ptu (propylthiouracil) or methimazole), but these only work long-term for a modest number of people. If s... Read More
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Djanganswered
Nuclear Medicine 24 years experience
Unlikely.: It would be unlikely for that to happen.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. David Djanganswered
Nuclear Medicine 24 years experience
Could be Graves': I know the textbooks generally say that graves' is associated with weight loss, but I have had many graves' patients tell me that they had actually ga... Read More
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 25-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Djanganswered
Nuclear Medicine 24 years experience
2 days is plenty: Switching you baby to formula for 2 days after the hida is plenty. Your body excretes the tracer faster than its actual half-life. After 2 days, you c... Read More
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. David Djanganswered
Nuclear Medicine 24 years experience
Potentially yes.: Being on too high of a dose of synthroid (thyroxine) would share some similarities with the symptoms of graves' disease.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. David Djanganswered
Nuclear Medicine 24 years experience
Briefly....: Briefly... Parkinson's is a neurodegenerative (progressive) disorder that stems from a lack of dopamine. Common symptoms are shaking, stiffness and sl... Read More
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 20-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Djanganswered
Nuclear Medicine 24 years experience
Not unusual.: The textbooks usually say that graves' causes weight loss. However, I have had many, many people with graves' guarantee me that they gained weight unc... Read More
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Djanganswered
Nuclear Medicine 24 years experience
See below.: It means graves' disease is the cause of your hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism just means you have too much thyroid hormone. There can be several reas... Read More
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. David Djanganswered
Nuclear Medicine 24 years experience
Probably nothing.: I have read a few claims here and there that vitamin d or vitamin e can help in alzheimer's, but they never seem to hold up in the long run. My best o... Read More
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. David Djanganswered
Nuclear Medicine 24 years experience
Yes: If I am understanding your question correctly, there are many different types of dementia; alzheimer's happens to be the most common.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. David Djanganswered
Nuclear Medicine 24 years experience
Not really.: There may be an adjustment time in the beginning, but, generally, the goal is to feel well on the thyroid medication. It may need to be adjusted up or... Read More
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. David Djanganswered
Nuclear Medicine 24 years experience
Caution.: I am not against natural or herbal remedies, but i would caution their use with parkinson's disease. Working with a neurologist will most likely provi... Read More
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. David Djanganswered
Nuclear Medicine 24 years experience
Nothing.: There is no cure for alzheimer's disease at this time. Many, many centers are working to change that, but there is no magic bullet yet. A few medicine... Read More
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. David Djanganswered
Nuclear Medicine 24 years experience
Surgery then I-131: The first step is to have a thyroidectomy (ie, have a surgeon take it out). If the tumor is very small, you may be done at that point. If it is not sm... Read More
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Can you please describe the body's responses to alzheimer's disease, linked with signs and symptoms?
Dr. David Djanganswered
Nuclear Medicine 24 years experience
No single symptom.: There's no single or consistent body response, sign or symptom connected with alzheimer's disease, which is one of the reasons that it is difficult to... Read More
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. David Djanganswered
Nuclear Medicine 24 years experience
Standard therapy.: I have nothing against naturopathic medicine, but not for graves' dz. It should be evaluated by an endocrinologist, and then there are several standar... Read More
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 62-year-old male asked:
Dr. David Djanganswered
Nuclear Medicine 24 years experience
Probably: Sounds like she may need to be on less synthroid, (thyroxine) but she should make an appointment with her physician first who can check blood levels a... Read More
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. David Djanganswered
Nuclear Medicine 24 years experience
3D imaging: Spect is a technique that allows 3d imaging of nuclear medicine scans, giving better spatial resolution (ie, smaller things can be seen and identified... Read More
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 17-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Djanganswered
Nuclear Medicine 24 years experience
Several things.: It's important to have nothing to eat or drink for (usually) 8 hours prior to the test. Also, certain medications can affect gastric emptying. Of the ... Read More
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. David Djanganswered
Nuclear Medicine 24 years experience
No: The amount of radiation involved is small. If there is a risk associated with it, it would be difficult to measure. Your drive to the clinic/hospital ... Read More
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. David Djanganswered
Nuclear Medicine 24 years experience
Kidney scan: A renogram measures the function of the kidneys. It is commonly used to make sure they are draining well to the bladder vs finding an obstruction (suc... Read More
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. David Djanganswered
Nuclear Medicine 24 years experience
Yes.: The cure rates for thyroid cancer are generally good, but i would say that all cancers are important and should be dealt with seriously.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. David Djanganswered
Nuclear Medicine 24 years experience
DXA: A "dxa" or "dexa" scan is what you are looking for.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 66-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Djanganswered
Nuclear Medicine 24 years experience
Significant: A T-score of -5.2 is fairly severe osteoporosis. It can be improved, but, if possible, please work with a physician who specializes and/or has plenty ... Read More
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. David Djanganswered
Nuclear Medicine 24 years experience
Type of dementia.: Lewy bodies are a specific type of protein clumps that can accumulate in many places. When they accumulate in the brain, dementia with lewy bodies can... Read More
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 76-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Djanganswered
Nuclear Medicine 24 years experience
Sorry.: Depression is very difficult and serious to deal with. I am sorry to hear about how you feel. It still might be worth trying a new psychiatrist or cou... Read More
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. David Djanganswered
Nuclear Medicine 24 years experience
No.: A low Dopamine level is typically associated with parkinson's disease. Low serotonin is typically associated with depression. It is not as straightfor... Read More
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old male asked:
Dr. David Djanganswered
Nuclear Medicine 24 years experience
Hard to say.: Evidence on this topic is largely based on survivor data of the wwii atomic bombs in japan. The problem is that a medical scan is not the same thing a... Read More
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. David Djanganswered
Nuclear Medicine 24 years experience
"Picture slices": "tomo" comes from the greek word for "cut" or "slice".
"graph" comes from the greek word for "writing" or "drawing".
Computed tomography (or ct... Read More
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. David Djanganswered
Nuclear Medicine 24 years experience
Unusual: In most cases, external beam should be considered only if i-131 and surgery have failed. Targeting a single brain or bone lesion with external beam ca... Read More
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. David Djanganswered
Nuclear Medicine 24 years experience
Radioactive iodine: A low level of radioactive iodine was released during the chernobyl meltdown. Both normal and radioactive iodine collect in the thyroid. Particularly ... Read More
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. David Djanganswered
Nuclear Medicine 24 years experience
Probably not.: A ct of the sinuses wouldn't get much of a look at the brain. An MRI of the brain would be the best test for a brain tumor.
Of course i don't know... Read More
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 49-year-old member asked:
Dr. David Djanganswered
Nuclear Medicine 24 years experience
Nothing specific.: Generally, people feel normal when they have thyroid cancer. That is the main reason that it can be hard to discover. Your physician should feel your ... Read More
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. David Djanganswered
Nuclear Medicine 24 years experience
Difficult.: It is treatable, but the cure rates are difficult once thyroid cancer has spread to the lungs. If this is not a hypothetical question for you or someo... Read More
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 25-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Djanganswered
Nuclear Medicine 24 years experience
Possible side effect: The dizziness could be a side effect of the medication. You should call the doctor who prescribed it to you and let them know.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 51-year-old member asked:
Dr. David Djanganswered
Nuclear Medicine 24 years experience
Unlikely.: Sestamibi is a fairly common tracer. In 12 years of practice, I do not know of anyone who had side effects from it.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. David Djanganswered
Nuclear Medicine 24 years experience
Standard therapy.: Just follow standard therapy, and make sure you take your medication every day as directed. If you have had i-131, most people will eventually require... Read More
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 20-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Djanganswered
Nuclear Medicine 24 years experience
Probably from Graves: At your age, if you are otherwise healthy, the most plausible explanation is that your graves' is not under control. You need to go see your doctor, p... Read More
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Djanganswered
Nuclear Medicine 24 years experience
It depends.: If you are taking anti-thyroid medications (commonly ptu (propylthiouracil) or methimazole), the goal is usually control of the graves', not a cure. T... Read More
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 53-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Djanganswered
Nuclear Medicine 24 years experience
Not really.: Diet wouldn't matter much for graves'. Just seek appropriate therapy with i-131 or an anti-thyroid medication (ptu, methimazole).
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. David Djanganswered
Nuclear Medicine 24 years experience
The "On" button: The "on" button on the thyroid cells won't turn "off." normally your body tries to keep everything in balance, but in graves' disease, the thyroid cel... Read More
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
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TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
2
Recommendations
122
Thank you notes
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Djang is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Djang is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! I have an appointment coming up. I appreciate your answer. My dr doesn't always want to answer those questions. Thank you for responding
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Thank you, your answer was very helpful! Thank you
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
University of Texas Southwestern Medical School at Dallas
Graduated 1998MD
Residency
University of Washington Medical Center
Residency
University of Washington Medical Center
Awards
Top Doctor, Seattle Metropolitan Magazine
Top Nuclear Medicine Specialist, First Place, Washington - Winter
2013
Top Nuclear Medicine Specialist, Second Place, Washington - Summer
2013
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