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An abdominal ultrasound looks at organs in your upper abdomen, including the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, kidneys and spleen. It usually needs a few hours of fasting beforehand.
Also called: Upper abdominal ultrasound, Liver ultrasound, Gallbladder ultrasound, Stomach ultrasound, Abdo ultrasound
Find a clinic for your abdominal ultrasound
102 clinics offer bulk billing for ultrasound — eligibility varies
Where to get an abdominal ultrasound
104 clinics across Australia on Radly offer ultrasound.
Clinics for an abdominal ultrasound on Radly
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What is an abdominal ultrasound?
A sonographer applies warm gel and moves a probe across your abdomen, asking you to take deep breaths or roll onto your side to get clear views. The scan shows the size and texture of organs and can find things like gallstones, fatty liver, cysts and fluid.
Fasting matters because eating makes the gallbladder contract and creates gas in the bowel, both of which make the images harder to read.
Ultrasound does not use radiation, so it is often the first test for abdominal symptoms. If more detail is needed, your doctor may follow up with CT or MRI.
Why your doctor might request an abdominal ultrasound
- Upper abdominal pain, especially after fatty meals
- Suspected gallstones
- Abnormal liver blood tests or fatty liver
- Checking the kidneys, spleen or aorta
- Bloating or a lump in the abdomen
Abdominal ultrasound: preparation, referral & Medicare
Preparing for your abdominal ultrasound
- Fast for about 6–8 hours before the scan; small sips of water are usually fine.
- Take regular medications with a little water unless told otherwise.
- If you have diabetes, ask the clinic or your doctor how to manage fasting.
- Morning appointments make fasting easier.
How long it takes: About 20–30 minutes
Referral, Medicare & bulk billing
A referral from your GP or specialist is needed for a Medicare rebate. Many clinics bulk bill abdominal ultrasound for eligible patients, while others charge a gap. The clinic confirms billing when it accepts your booking request.
How it works
Get your referral
Most scans need a referral from your GP, specialist, or other health practitioner.
Compare clinics
Find clinics near you for your abdominal ultrasound and compare bulk billing, reviews, and location.
Send your request
Share your preferred timing and send the clinic your details and referral when available.
Clinic confirms
The clinic reviews your request and confirms your appointment and any preparation needed.
If the clinic hasn’t acknowledged your request after 24 hours, Radly will follow up. We check in by SMS during daytime hours where SMS is available and you haven’t opted out. Reply N if you haven’t been contacted and our team will follow up. Acknowledgment does not mean an appointment is booked.
Abdominal ultrasound FAQs
Why do I need to fast for an abdominal ultrasound?
An empty stomach keeps the gallbladder full and reduces bowel gas, giving the sonographer much clearer views.
Can I drink water before an abdominal ultrasound?
Usually small sips of plain water are fine. Avoid milk, coffee, juice and chewing gum unless the clinic says otherwise.
Will an abdominal ultrasound show gallstones?
Yes. Ultrasound is the usual first test for gallstones and is very good at finding them.
How do I book an abdominal ultrasound online?
Choose a clinic on Radly, select Ultrasound as your scan, add your preferred timing and attach your referral, then send your booking request. The clinic contacts you to confirm the appointment and any preparation.
How soon can I get an abdominal ultrasound?
Appointments for ultrasound are usually 1–3 days, depending on the clinic and the exam. You can send a request on Radly at any time, and the clinic replies with its next available time.
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