Going to get some tests tomorrow...

[kx250rider]

I'm volunteering for some imaging tests down in Orange County in the morning, and part of the deal is that I can get pretty much anything I want checked if I ask. They're going to do a complete head-to-toe CT scan, and they can do more than one specialized CT if I ask. This will include a new type of bone density scan, and a more precise body fat percentage test than either the "tub" or the electrical conductivity kind. I think they're also going to do a muscle biopsy again, which is a fun one (8 ga needle so big that they have to stab with a scalpel first for the needle to jab in) . I've had a few of those before.

Anyway, I'm wondering if there's anything I should ask for a CT close-up evaluation of?

Due to my HRT, and the potential for issues with the endocrine system & glands, I'm asking for kidneys, liver, lungs, prostate, testes, thyroid (and parathyroid if they can inject me with the necessary dye), and adrenal gland. I know I have a benign tumor on the adrenal gland, which is not a problem but I want to keep track of the size. They're also doing a "virtual colonoscopy", which doesn't involve a scope up the poopchuck, Thank goodness. I don't think they'll be willing to do any blood tests... This is just an imaging research project.

I just hope they're not going to do the lymph duct test. That one is painful. Problem is that if I want all these tests; about $5000 worth, for $500 or so (covering costs of materials only), I have to let them do what they want, I guess.

Charles

 

[Roxy722]

Outside of the needles....it sounds like a cool opportunity..I'd be really interested in the bone density and the body fat ones. Actually...having all your organs scanned would be interesting too. You'll have to let us know how it goes.

 

[shirlene29]

get a pet scan!!!


other than that...I have no idea
for me I'd be intensely interest in endrocrine as well...and probably in depth look at nerves exiting the spine

 

[lander2312]

Dude thats alot of radiation for the hell of it....get the tests done that you feel are necessary and forget the rest.......for real...your body doesnt need that crap

 

[kx250rider]

Dude thats alot of radiation for the hell of it....get the tests done that you feel are necessary and forget the rest.......for real...your body doesnt need that crap

Valid point, but I was an electronics tech for years, and was exposed to X-radiation all the time. Probably not wise, but so far no problems.

Outside of the needles....it sounds like a cool opportunity..I'd be really interested in the bone density and the body fat ones. Actually...having all your organs scanned would be interesting too. You'll have to let us know how it goes.

Will do... I think I'm supposed to get the radiologist's report next week, and I'm having them send some of the specific stuff to my endocrinologist.

get a pet scan!!!


other than that...I have no idea
for me I'd be intensely interest in endrocrine as well...and probably in depth look at nerves exiting the spine

I think that one requires a radioactive dye to be injected, and I don't think they're going to do that. I don't know much about the PET scan other than I've heard it's useful for seeing the spread of cancer, and by the grace of God, I hope I don't need that.... This technique they're using today on me, is new, but uses a conventional GE tomography system. Basically old machine + new mathematics & computer software, I guess. The muscle biopsy is to find out how fast I flush lactic acid from my muscle tissue after I work to exhaustion, etc. I don't care about knowing it, but I have to let them do it since it's a 2-way street if I want all this free stuff. I have no problem with being stabbed in the delt or the quad with a pen-size needle, as long as they don't give me a bunch of scars, etc. I have a few small scars on my quads, but the last time, when they used a scalpel to open a cut first, and then put a stitch after, there's no scar at all. And it does hurt for a few days, but so would a $5000 bill if I didn't do it this way, LOL. There is/was a YT video of the last muscle biopsy, but they didn't ask me and couldn't use my face.

Charles

 

[shirlene29]

yeah I had a pet scan done two years ago to make sure the thyroid cancer hadn't spread to my lungs...it was really cool to check out after! and youre correct with the radioactive dye...its not a lot different than a contrasting CT or MRI though from what I understand


I also agree thats a lot of radiation, but UI've had a good deal more over my adult life than what you're having done
maybe I'm lucky I don't have bigger problems..heh

its funny you didn't get a scar from a muscle biopsy..but I have this stupid scar from a platelets timed test..because I was bleeding excessively from really mild crap which turned out to be related to my thyroid

 

[trex74]

Full body CT scan just for curiosity- wow, are you making an informed decision?
Brings your cancer risk to 1 in 2200 if you are 45 and you get one single scan.
Cancer risks from diagnostic radiology -- HALL and BRENNER 81 (965): 362 -- The British Journal of Radiology
(free download)

 

[samoth]

Dude thats alot of radiation for the hell of it....get the tests done that you feel are necessary and forget the rest.......for real...your body doesnt need that crap

... dude. You're getting blasted with radiation as we speak. It's not like the OP is stacking blocks of uranium.

 

[iggy]

damn, i'm probably full of radiation after getting all those x-rays over the years and all the cat scans/mri's from getting jumped/into accidents.....

 

[kx250rider]

All done... Results to come in within a week or so . No thigh stabbing either!

The hardest part was holding my breath for what seemed like forever, but the tech said it was 68 seconds. They gave me pills to slow my heart rate down, and that made me totally exhausted, and I was useless the rest of the day. Fine today; up at sunrise after going to bed at 7:45 last night. I also had to drink dye, which tasted like a muscle milk shake, but caused GAS!!!!!!!

I had been worried a little about my prostate since I'm using T, but the tech said "off the record" that it didn't look enlarged at all. That doesn't men "no problem", but it's a good sign, at least. The bone density and body fat will be published in the report that they'll send to my doctor.

Charles