Question 1

will a hida nuclear scan expose me to dangerous radiation?

Accepted Answer

Acceptable  amount: Tc 99m hida is radioactivity injected intravenously .The liver extracts it  from blood stream to show excretion into bile ducts, gall bladder as well as bowel.The amount of irradiation is equal to 3 yr natural background exposure.This isotope is utilized also in children because of relative low irradiation dose and the dose is determined by body  weight test should be done if have biliary symptoms.

Question 2

do hida scans expose patients to dangerous levels of radiation?

Accepted Answer

Small dose: If i recall correctly, the total dose of radiation from a hida scan is equivalent to about a year of exposure to the low-level radiation from the environment, so quite low.

Question 3

had nuclear stress about 13 years ago don't remember meds used! had hida 2 yrs ago plus annual mammos. too much radiation? nuclear dangerous?

Accepted Answer

Nuclear stress test: It would be unusual for a 33 year old woman to have a condition where a nuclear stress test was helpful.  The effects of radiation exposure are measured in very small numbers -- while not zero, the risk of a radiation side effect is quite low from the kinds of diagnostic tests you've had.  The goal is to keep radiation exposure as low as reasonably possible, while using tests when needed.

Question 4

do nuclear scans expose a patient to more radiation than an x-ray or ct scan?

Accepted Answer

Depends..: It depends on what type of nuclear study you are having done.  There are many different radiotracers and each has a different half life and different decay mode.  For ct scan,  it depends on how much of the body is scanned and what the settings on the scanner are.   Is it a ct of the chest?  Ct of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis?

Question 5

ct scan abdomen/chest w/o contrast --- march 2020
ct scan abdomen/chest w/contrast --- july 2020
ct scan abdomen/chest w/o contrast --- january 2021
hida scan --- may 2021
nuclear stress test --- scheduled june 2021
cumulative radiation problem?

Accepted Answer

: The use as described of both CT scans over the interval described can exceed the cumulative recommended radiation dose. Consult a radiation oncologist to determine if specific surveillance is necessary. When appropriate,   "plain films" are still very useful to avoid this cumulative effect of CT imaging, as far less radiation exposure results.

Question 6

had hida scan for gallstones & months  later multiple mammos for stereotactic biopsy (calcification-benign)-dangers to all this radiation?

Accepted Answer

The danger is tiny: The risk of induced cancer from a HIDA scan and dozens of mammogram images is incredibly small. In fact, some would claim the risk could barely be calculated reliably. See: http://www.riainvision.com/exams/hida_scan.aspx Note, we all get x ray radiation naturally every day.
 There is real risk with repeated studies such as CT scans. For instance, one CT study of the chest equals 100 chest x rays.

Question 7

i got ct scan of abdomen and pelvis done last july (7/20).i got gastric emptying study last july,small bowl follow through last august,chest xray last october,hida scan 4 months ago. dr wants to do a repeat ct scan.is this okay or too much radiation?

Accepted Answer

: You don't mention what your symptoms are or what your MD is looking to rule in or out.  An MRI doesn't use xrays .Ask your MD if one can be done as another CT scan would expose you to more radiation.

Question 8

i am getting a nuclear scan and have a newborn baby?

Accepted Answer

Which scan?: Most nuclear medicine scans for diagnostic purposes are done with low dose of radiation. However there are studies which would require distance from other people for a few days until radiation is cleared from the body. Consult with your physician for study appropriate precautions.

Question 9

what is the definition or description of: thyroid nuclear scan?

Accepted Answer

Thyroid scan: This scan involves taking orally a small dose of radioactive iodine. The iodine is taken up by the thyroid and produces an image. "cold" areas are places with no iodine uptake.  "hot" areas have a lot of uptake.  The radiologist also calculates the percent uptake of the iodine. This test is important in the diagnosis of hyperthyoidism, thyroid cancer, and follow up of thyroid cancer.

Question 10

no salt (or just no iodinated salt) for thyroid nuclear scan?

Accepted Answer

Regular salt is OK: Salt without iodine (if you can find it is ok).  The scan requires a low iodine diet.

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Doctor answers about:

Will a hida nuclear scan expose me to dangerous radiation

A member asked:

Will a hida nuclear scan expose me to dangerous radiation?

A member asked:

Do hida scans expose patients to dangerous levels of radiation?

A member asked:

Had nuclear stress about 13 years ago don't remember meds used! had hida 2 yrs ago plus annual mammos. too much radiation? nuclear dangerous?

A member asked:

Do nuclear scans expose a patient to more radiation than an x-ray or ct scan?

A member asked:

Ct scan abdomen/chest w/o contrast --- march 2020 ct scan abdomen/chest w/contrast --- july 2020 ct scan abdomen/chest w/o contrast --- january 2021 hida scan --- may 2021 nuclear stress test --- scheduled june 2021 cumulative radiation problem?

A member asked:

Had hida scan for gallstones & months later multiple mammos for stereotactic biopsy (calcification-benign)-dangers to all this radiation?

A member asked:

I got ct scan of abdomen and pelvis done last july (7/20).i got gastric emptying study last july,small bowl follow through last august,chest xray last october,hida scan 4 months ago. dr wants to do a repeat ct scan.is this okay or too much radiation?

A member asked:

I am getting a nuclear scan and have a newborn baby?

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: thyroid nuclear scan?

A member asked:

No salt (or just no iodinated salt) for thyroid nuclear scan?

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