MRI Full-Body Gold Scan
The Gold full-body MRI adds the whole spine to the head, chest, abdomen and pelvis, with bi-parametric imaging. It suits people without specific symptoms who want a baseline of the brain and the main organs together with the neck, the mid-back and the lower back.
Written by the MyScanHub content team7 minutes reading time
From
£1295
All-inclusive. Consultant-reported within 3 working days.
- Consultant radiologists
- CQC registered
- GDPR compliant
- Report in 3 working days
What is an MRI Full-Body Gold Scan?
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) uses powerful magnets and radiofrequency waves — with no ionising radiation — to create high-resolution cross-sectional images.
MRI offers unmatched soft-tissue contrast and is widely used in specialist care for diagnosing and following-up disease of the head, chest, abdomen, pelvis and spine.
Is this scan right for you?
Common reasons for having this scan include:
- You want the brain, the main organs and the spine checked in one visit
- You want the spine included in a general health baseline
- You have a family history of conditions affecting the brain or the main organs
- You want more than the Silver package but do not need the brain and neck arteries scanned
What an MRI Full-Body Gold Scan can find
MRI can identify:
- Solid masses in the head, chest, abdomen and pelvis that need further tests
- Signs of auto-immune and degenerative conditions in the brain, such as MS
- Disc problems and narrowing of the spinal canal
- Wear and tear and bone changes in the spine
- Cysts in the brain, liver, kidneys and other organs
- Enlarged organs, enlarged lymph nodes and fat build-up in the liver
What it cannot do
A full-body MRI is a broad screen, not a detailed scan of each organ: it can miss small changes, and it is not the right test for a specific symptom. Gold does not include the arteries of the brain and neck (that is in Platinum), and it does not look inside the stomach or the bowel. Disc bulges and wear in the spine are very common without symptoms. It is not a substitute for NHS screening programmes, and incidental findings may need follow-up tests. Please share your report with your GP.
What happens on the day
- 1Check in at our clinic in the Guildhall Outer Car Park at Bluewater. Parking is free.
- 2The radiographer goes through the MRI safety questionnaire with you. You change into a gown and leave anything metal, such as jewellery, your watch, phone and bank cards, outside the scanner room.
- 3You lie on your back and lightweight coils are placed over the areas being scanned. The table moves you through the scanner in stages so each area is imaged in turn, and you will be asked to hold your breath for a few seconds at a time for the chest and abdomen.
- 4The scanner is loud while it takes pictures, so you wear ear protection or headphones. You hold a call button throughout, and the radiographer can see and hear you the whole time. Keep as still as you can: each set of pictures takes a few minutes. There is no injection: the full-body packages do not use contrast.
- 5Allow about 90 minutes for your appointment, including the questionnaire and changing.
- 6Your complimentary 30-minute virtual GP consultation can be booked for before or after the scan.
- 7A consultant radiologist reports your scan, and the written report is uploaded to your secure patient account within 3 working days.
Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum?
Bronze scans the chest, abdomen and pelvis. Silver adds the head, so the brain is included. Gold adds the whole spine. Platinum adds an MR angiogram of the arteries in the brain and neck. If you have a specific symptom, a scan of that area is usually more useful than a full-body package; the GP consultation included with every tier can help you decide.
Preparing for your MRI Full-Body Gold Scan
On the day of your scan:
- Wear comfortable clothes. You will change into a gown, so nothing metal goes into the scanner with you.
- You will be asked to remove jewellery, watches, hairclips, hearing aids, phones and bank cards, so leave valuables at home if you can.
- Eat, drink and take your usual medicines as normal. There is no contrast injection, so there is no special preparation.
- Book your complimentary 30-minute virtual GP consultation for before or after the scan, whichever you prefer.
- Bring any previous scan reports or letters you would like the radiologist to see.
Please notify the team if:
- You have a pacemaker, defibrillator (ICD) or any other implanted device, such as a nerve stimulator, cochlear implant or insulin pump
- You have surgical clips, coils, stents, an artificial heart valve, a joint replacement, or plates and screws
- You have ever had metal in your eyes or body from an injury, welding or grinding
- You have had an operation in the last six weeks
- You are pregnant or might be pregnant
- You are claustrophobic or anxious about enclosed spaces
Your report
Every MRI at MyScanHub is reported by a GMC-registered consultant radiologist. Your written report is delivered securely to your patient portal within 3 working days.
You can download the report and your images from your patient account to share with your GP, physiotherapist or specialist, or add a GP consultation to talk the findings through. How to open and share your results.
Why consider a private MRI scan for the head, chest, abdomen, pelvis and spine?
When you need answers quickly — or when prior imaging has been inconclusive — a private MRI at MyScanHub gives you timely access and specialist reporting without the wait.
Private scan benefits include:
- Fast access — same-day or next-day appointments, no waiting list
- Consultant radiologist report within 3 working days
- Fully-private, CQC-registered, GDPR-compliant imaging centre
- Secure online access to your report and images, easy to share with your GP or specialist
Smarter scanning. Proactive health. Peace of mind.
Step 1
Choose
Pick a scan or a programme. No GP referral required.
Step 2
Book
Select a time online — same-day availability most weekdays.
Step 3
Scan
Be seen by consultants at our Dartford, Kent imaging centre.
Step 4
Results
Consultant-led report within 3 working days, accessible online.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Gold scan show, and what does it not?
It looks at the head, chest, abdomen, pelvis and whole spine for solid masses and non-cancerous conditions, at the brain for signs of auto-immune and degenerative conditions, and at the spine for disc and bone problems. It does not include the arteries of the brain and neck, it does not look inside the bowel or the stomach, and it cannot rule out every disease.
What if the scan finds something unexpected?
Incidental findings are common. In the spine, disc bulges and wear show on most adult scans and usually need nothing done; in the organs, most small cysts are harmless. Your report explains each finding and whether it needs follow-up, and your complimentary GP consultation is a chance to talk it through.
Does a full-body MRI replace NHS screening?
No. Keep going to NHS breast, cervical and bowel screening, and any other checks you are invited to. A full-body MRI is not designed to replace them: it is not a substitute for a mammogram, a smear test or a bowel screening kit.
Is there any radiation, or an injection?
No. MRI uses a strong magnet and radio waves, not X-rays, so there is no radiation. The full-body packages do not use a contrast injection.
How do Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum differ?
Bronze covers the chest, abdomen and pelvis with single-parametric imaging. Silver adds the head and uses bi-parametric imaging (two types of MRI picture for each area). Gold adds the whole spine. Platinum adds an MR angiogram of the arteries in the brain and neck. Every tier includes a complimentary 30-minute virtual GP consultation.
How long does the scan take?
Allow about 90 minutes for your appointment, including the safety questionnaire and changing. You lie still while the table moves you through the scanner in stages.
What if I am claustrophobic?
Tell us when you book. The radiographer explains each step, you hold a call button the whole time, and the scan can be stopped whenever you need. If you think you may need medicine to help you relax, ask your GP before your appointment, and arrange for someone to drive you home.
Do I need a GP referral?
No — MyScanHub accepts self-referral for most scans. Our consultant radiologists review every case. Some scans (e.g. contrast studies) do need a referring clinician; we'll let you know at booking.
When will I get my report?
Written reports from a GMC-registered consultant radiologist are delivered within 3 working days of your scan, often sooner. You can access the report — and the imaging — through your patient account at myscanhub.com.
Where is the clinic?
Our imaging centre is at Bluewater Shopping Centre, Dartford, Kent (DA9 9ST), in the Guildhall Outer Car Park — free parking, a few minutes from junction 2 of the M25 and the A2. We're open Monday to Saturday 8am–9pm and Sunday 10am–5pm. Full directions are sent with your booking confirmation.
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Ready to book your MRI Full-Body Gold Scan?
Book online in minutes. Same-day and next-day slots available most weekdays in Dartford, Kent. Consultant-reported within 3 working days.
At our clinic in Bluewater Shopping Centre, Dartford: free parking, open seven days. How to find us · All full-body MRI scans in Dartford & Kent