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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Effects of Thallium on Fetus
Answered by
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
Effects of Thallium on Fetus
by Mary-Bertram, Mar 31, 1999 12:00AM
I recently had a Thallium stress test and did not know I was pregnant. The dose was less than 1 RAD. I now know I was approximately 2-3 weeks pregnant at the time the test was administered. I would like to know the possible side effects on the fetus from this type of expsoure.
Doctor's Answer
by Cleveland Clinic, MD, Mar 31, 1999 12:00AM
, Mar 31, 1999 12:00AM_
Dear Mary,
Thank you for your question. Although this is certainly a concerning experience there is probably no harm done to the fetus. The radiation level for a thallium test is very low and it is unlikely to cause any birth defects. There are few studies looking at this and the recommendation is to avoid radiation if possible but low levels are probably not harmful. The best advise is to discuss this with your OB and follow his/her recommendations.
I hope you find this information useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only. Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies. Please feel free to write back with additional questions.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.
