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CT scan radiation and protective supplements
MAC & Bronchiectasis | Last Active: 1 day ago | Replies (37)Comment receiving replies
@grammyvictoria Since I know the CT scans will happen once or twice a year for the rest of my life, I switched from a clinic or diagnostic center for my scans to a local hospital that has the very latest equipment. This way I get the lowest radiation dose. Bonuses - the new machine is faster, and the scans are read by 4 humans plus AI - the hospital radiologist plus AU, the clinic radiologist, and my team of pulmonologists (one for Bronchiectais, the other for asthma & allergies.)
How did I learn this about dosage? From my physical therapist. But then my daughter, and RN, said you can call and ask at each facility which equipment they use, and what the "radiation load" is for the ordered CT scan.
The downsidee - routine CT's are not their priority, so sometimes I get weird appointment times like 5:45 am. And I can get bumped for an emergency and have to wait so I always bring a book.
Replies to "@grammyvictoria Since I know the CT scans will happen once or twice a year for the..."
@sueinmn I also go to our local hospital. I suppose I could get bumped if they had an emergency but I haven't yet. They are very efficient! I always show up at least 15 minutes before my appointment and I am typically finished before my scheduled appt time 😊.
@sueinmn I wasn’t able to get insurance approval to have my first CT’s done at the hospital even though I was referred there by my Dr. My last several have been approved and I have noticed a big difference in the radiology report. The stand alone center I went to in the beginning listed the referring diagnosis as micro something, ie didn’t know what mycobacterium was and what to look for.
@sueinmn Glad you mentioned about the low dosage because I was sent to an off site facility for one rather than the Baylor hospital C Scan....
I realized that that is not something I want to do again. I had my last one at the hospital. I did ask the tech about the machine but really didn't think to ask about low dosage or the brand model.
I googled: what is the best c scan machine with low dosages
AI came up with a couple and posted: " Siemens SOMATOM Known for its low-dose lung cancer screening capabilities. Offers advanced dose reduction technologies."
Do you know if that is what your hospital has?
It appears the other two had options for the amount of dosage.
Now for my finding out what each hospital in the area uses.
Barbara
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@sueinmn That sounds like a good way to do it.
How do you know which equipment is the good one, and do you know what the low radiation dose is?
Thank you so much.
If not for this support group I would be just wandering around lost in the woods of ignorance and not getting answers anywhere. I just switched to a new pulmonologist but so far, doesn't seem like she has much info or help to give. I'm hoping I can get a referral to a lung therapist.