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SPECT DatScan: With Or Without Lugol (allergic To Iode)?
Posted on
Thu, 4 Feb 2021
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 4 Feb 2021
Answered on
Wed, 5 Mar 2025
Last reviewed on
Question : SPECT DatScan: with or without Lugol (allergic to iode)?
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I decided to take a SPECT DatScan, by mid of March, just to confirm that I have a Parkinsonism (PSP) and evaluating how advanced it is (as far as I understand, DatScan does not differentiate if it is PD, PSP, CBD, or other Parkinsonism).
Anyway, what concerns me now about this scan is that one should take a solution of Lugol, that contains iode (to protect the thyroid from radiation, I believe):
5 drops of solution Lugol 5%, 3 times per day, 2 days before the scan, during the day of the scan, and 2 days after the scan.
Fifty years ago when preparing for an urologic examination I took an INJECTION of iode contrast - I fainted and felt as passing out, but it was a fleeting reaction.
Since I fear I’m allergic to iode, I’m about to proceed to the DaTScan without taking the solution of Lugol.
I should like to know about the risks of taking Lugol, in case of being allergic to iode? What shall I choose: running the risk of some reaction to Lugol, or running the risk of damaging my thyroid by not taking Lugol?
Thank you so much.
——————————————————————————
I decided to take a SPECT DatScan, by mid of March, just to confirm that I have a Parkinsonism (PSP) and evaluating how advanced it is (as far as I understand, DatScan does not differentiate if it is PD, PSP, CBD, or other Parkinsonism).
Anyway, what concerns me now about this scan is that one should take a solution of Lugol, that contains iode (to protect the thyroid from radiation, I believe):
5 drops of solution Lugol 5%, 3 times per day, 2 days before the scan, during the day of the scan, and 2 days after the scan.
Fifty years ago when preparing for an urologic examination I took an INJECTION of iode contrast - I fainted and felt as passing out, but it was a fleeting reaction.
Since I fear I’m allergic to iode, I’m about to proceed to the DaTScan without taking the solution of Lugol.
I should like to know about the risks of taking Lugol, in case of being allergic to iode? What shall I choose: running the risk of some reaction to Lugol, or running the risk of damaging my thyroid by not taking Lugol?
Thank you so much.
Brief Answer:
If you are allergic to Lugol, you should avoid doing a datScan with Lugol
Detailed Answer:
Hello ,
I understand your concern.
If you are allergic to Lugol, I recommended to avoid the use of Lugol.
The allergic reactions can be very dangerous and difficult to manage.
So,I suggest to do the datScan without Lugol.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Kind regards!
Dr.Dorina Gurabardhi
General &Family Physician
If you are allergic to Lugol, you should avoid doing a datScan with Lugol
Detailed Answer:
Hello ,
I understand your concern.
If you are allergic to Lugol, I recommended to avoid the use of Lugol.
The allergic reactions can be very dangerous and difficult to manage.
So,I suggest to do the datScan without Lugol.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Kind regards!
Dr.Dorina Gurabardhi
General &Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Dr. Dorina Gurabardhi,
Many thanks for your support. Since I fear to be allergic to iode, it will be better not run the risk of taking the Lugol ("better safe than sorry").
Regards
Many thanks for your support. Since I fear to be allergic to iode, it will be better not run the risk of taking the Lugol ("better safe than sorry").
Regards
Brief Answer:
I am glad that I have been helpful.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again dear,
I am glad that I have been helpful.
Take care!
Kind regards,
Dr.Dorina Gurabardhi
I am glad that I have been helpful.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again dear,
I am glad that I have been helpful.
Take care!
Kind regards,
Dr.Dorina Gurabardhi
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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