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Sent for Thyroid Uptake Scan, but iodine contrast sends me into anaphalactic shock, What do I do?
I found a lump in my neck last year, 2007 and doctor ordered a blood test and a thyroid ultrasound. The blood test was normal and the ultrasound showed two thyroid nodules.
Now, it's a year later. The doctor ordered a thyroid ultrasound and said he didn't think it was cancer but he wants to be sure it isn't because one nodule stayed the same size, but the other one got bigger.
Now the doctor is sending me for a thyroid uptake scan. I am scared because in 2004 I was given iodine contrast for a kidney scan and I went into anaphalactic shock. It was the most painful, terrifying and suffocating experience of my life, not to mention the most expensive.
I told the Radiologist, and he said to take a steroid pill two days before and one day before the scan and if anything goes wrong, there is an E.R. there.
This isn't very comforting to me. I don't want to come that close to dying again. Isn't there something else to take that doesn't have contrast in it? Should I just not go?
This discussion is related to Thyroid scan and uptake results have me worried.
Now, it's a year later. The doctor ordered a thyroid ultrasound and said he didn't think it was cancer but he wants to be sure it isn't because one nodule stayed the same size, but the other one got bigger.
Now the doctor is sending me for a thyroid uptake scan. I am scared because in 2004 I was given iodine contrast for a kidney scan and I went into anaphalactic shock. It was the most painful, terrifying and suffocating experience of my life, not to mention the most expensive.
I told the Radiologist, and he said to take a steroid pill two days before and one day before the scan and if anything goes wrong, there is an E.R. there.
This isn't very comforting to me. I don't want to come that close to dying again. Isn't there something else to take that doesn't have contrast in it? Should I just not go?
This discussion is related to Thyroid scan and uptake results have me worried.
I too am allergic to the contrast dye used in kidney scans (Pertechnium) but that is NOT what is used for an uptake scan.
Usually they inject I - 123 into your arm and I have had this done a few times with no ill effect.
Just to be on the safe side.....tell the Nuclear Doctor of your allergic reaction to Pertechnium.
I also had RAI in June 2008 and a keyhole TT in September due to Thyca.
The reason RAI was given first was because of Anaphaactic shock from the anti-thyroid meds and 3 episodes of fibrillations in 2 weeks.
It was too dangerous to do Surgery at the time.
At present, I am now doing fine.
Dont think the same will happen with the Uptake...I too , was petrified but when explained to me that it is not Pertechnium used, I was ok.
I walked out the X-Ray room fine....the only problem I had with the scans was keeping still for so long as I got a foot cramp lol.
Explain your fears to the Radiologist and ask what is being used for the Uptake scan
and you should be alright.
As I said...the contrast dye used in other scans is Pertechnium.
I- 123 is usually used in Uptake scans.
Hope that helps.
Usually they inject I - 123 into your arm and I have had this done a few times with no ill effect.
Just to be on the safe side.....tell the Nuclear Doctor of your allergic reaction to Pertechnium.
I also had RAI in June 2008 and a keyhole TT in September due to Thyca.
The reason RAI was given first was because of Anaphaactic shock from the anti-thyroid meds and 3 episodes of fibrillations in 2 weeks.
It was too dangerous to do Surgery at the time.
At present, I am now doing fine.
Dont think the same will happen with the Uptake...I too , was petrified but when explained to me that it is not Pertechnium used, I was ok.
I walked out the X-Ray room fine....the only problem I had with the scans was keeping still for so long as I got a foot cramp lol.
Explain your fears to the Radiologist and ask what is being used for the Uptake scan
and you should be alright.
As I said...the contrast dye used in other scans is Pertechnium.
I- 123 is usually used in Uptake scans.
Hope that helps.
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