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What Are The Health Effects Of Prenatal Radiation Exposure?
Question: Treatment history ( Exposure to radiation in Week 3 of Possible pregnancy)
Got period on 1st August. Had a ultrasound on 3rd and started Recagon 50 iu (Follitropin beta (FSH)) injections daily at 8:00 pm from 3rd aug to 14th aug. On 14th August morning had a 19 mm folicle. On 15th and 16th clininc was closed and doctor wanted my follicle to become more than 20mm. So iui was scheduled for Monday 17th August. Note : I have PCOS a we chose recagon as 1st line of treatment (vs. clomiphene) as we wanted single follicle only. On 14th other 4 follicles were 13 mm so 19 mm was the dominant follicle.
14th August
Sono: 19 mm follicle
On 14th Aug Doctor gave cetrotide at 3:00 pm and last dose of recagon at 8:00 pm.
15th August
On 15th again took cetrotide at 3:00 pm and then ovitrelle 1 amp injection at 10:30 pm.
On 15th Aug afternoon I went to dentist as my filling had come off. She took 2 tooth x rays (both digital x rays, no shield used) My dentist asked me to take a CBCT (It’s a Maxillofacial CT scan for teeth).
17th August(Monday)
I took CBCT in 17th August at 10:45 am (Note: No shield was used. Machine was
iui was done at 2 30 pm. Post iui Doctor did sono. The egg had already ruptured then.
My doc said with ovitrelle ovulation is usual after 36 hours. (in that case I was having CBCT done at 36 hours then…so would egg have been fertilised by then if I had ovulated. We had sex on 15th Aug so there is a chance. If egg was already fertilized it was exposed to CBCT radiation. If yes, will it cause defects?)
19th August (Wednesday)
Also yesterday again visited dentist. She took 3 x rays of my teeth. She used a shield for 2 of them. But did 1 x ray without a shield. (digital x rays) ( If egg fertilized I may be 2 or 3 days pregnant yesterday and I understand that at early stages baby is most vulnerable)
20th August (Thursday)
I am v concerned that the egg/ zygote/ embryo may have caught radiation and will lead to birth defects.
In the event that I conceive should I choose to abort? Is there any test to detect damage due to radiation? How soon can I know that there has been damage. I am considering an abortion if I conceive. Do guide. I found Healthcare magic advice very helpful earlier vs. my OBGYN who is well known but too busy to tackle my concerns. I am not v comfortable talking to her assistant doctors as they make me uncomfortable. Pls guide as I am having sleepless nights worrying.
Got period on 1st August. Had a ultrasound on 3rd and started Recagon 50 iu (Follitropin beta (FSH)) injections daily at 8:00 pm from 3rd aug to 14th aug. On 14th August morning had a 19 mm folicle. On 15th and 16th clininc was closed and doctor wanted my follicle to become more than 20mm. So iui was scheduled for Monday 17th August. Note : I have PCOS a we chose recagon as 1st line of treatment (vs. clomiphene) as we wanted single follicle only. On 14th other 4 follicles were 13 mm so 19 mm was the dominant follicle.
14th August
Sono: 19 mm follicle
On 14th Aug Doctor gave cetrotide at 3:00 pm and last dose of recagon at 8:00 pm.
15th August
On 15th again took cetrotide at 3:00 pm and then ovitrelle 1 amp injection at 10:30 pm.
On 15th Aug afternoon I went to dentist as my filling had come off. She took 2 tooth x rays (both digital x rays, no shield used) My dentist asked me to take a CBCT (It’s a Maxillofacial CT scan for teeth).
17th August(Monday)
I took CBCT in 17th August at 10:45 am (Note: No shield was used. Machine was
iui was done at 2 30 pm. Post iui Doctor did sono. The egg had already ruptured then.
My doc said with ovitrelle ovulation is usual after 36 hours. (in that case I was having CBCT done at 36 hours then…so would egg have been fertilised by then if I had ovulated. We had sex on 15th Aug so there is a chance. If egg was already fertilized it was exposed to CBCT radiation. If yes, will it cause defects?)
19th August (Wednesday)
Also yesterday again visited dentist. She took 3 x rays of my teeth. She used a shield for 2 of them. But did 1 x ray without a shield. (digital x rays) ( If egg fertilized I may be 2 or 3 days pregnant yesterday and I understand that at early stages baby is most vulnerable)
20th August (Thursday)
I am v concerned that the egg/ zygote/ embryo may have caught radiation and will lead to birth defects.
In the event that I conceive should I choose to abort? Is there any test to detect damage due to radiation? How soon can I know that there has been damage. I am considering an abortion if I conceive. Do guide. I found Healthcare magic advice very helpful earlier vs. my OBGYN who is well known but too busy to tackle my concerns. I am not v comfortable talking to her assistant doctors as they make me uncomfortable. Pls guide as I am having sleepless nights worrying.
Brief Answer:
Total dose delivered is far less than maximum allowable safe dose.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
I can understand your situation.In your condition even minor unanswered and unconvinced query may lead to sleepless nights.
I don't think you should be worried so much.
Though you have underwent three investigations,chances of fetus/embryo damage is very less.In early days like in your case,nature follows all or none formula.If there is any aberration in embryo,it may lead to abortion.
Generally fetal radiation side effects are in the form of growth retardation,brain damage etc.It occurs in high dose radiation and this too generally occurs in 8- 15 weeks of gestation.
In human,radiation side effects before 8 weeks is generally not seen.So,you are safe.
Generally radiation dose above 5 radon may lead to side effects.
In your case,total dose delivered is far less than maximum allowable safe dose.So,don't worry about this.
However,you need close observation and follow up tests.
Wish you all the best.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.
Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
Total dose delivered is far less than maximum allowable safe dose.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
I can understand your situation.In your condition even minor unanswered and unconvinced query may lead to sleepless nights.
I don't think you should be worried so much.
Though you have underwent three investigations,chances of fetus/embryo damage is very less.In early days like in your case,nature follows all or none formula.If there is any aberration in embryo,it may lead to abortion.
Generally fetal radiation side effects are in the form of growth retardation,brain damage etc.It occurs in high dose radiation and this too generally occurs in 8- 15 weeks of gestation.
In human,radiation side effects before 8 weeks is generally not seen.So,you are safe.
Generally radiation dose above 5 radon may lead to side effects.
In your case,total dose delivered is far less than maximum allowable safe dose.So,don't worry about this.
However,you need close observation and follow up tests.
Wish you all the best.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.
Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
CBCT may only deliver around 100 microsevert.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
CBCT may only deliver around 100 microsevert of radiation which is far less than safe limit.
So,you don't worry at all.
Most probably your condition is safe.
It is too early to detect any damage.
As CBCT is around fertilization period so it is not expected to cause any problem.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.
Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
CBCT may only deliver around 100 microsevert.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
CBCT may only deliver around 100 microsevert of radiation which is far less than safe limit.
So,you don't worry at all.
Most probably your condition is safe.
It is too early to detect any damage.
As CBCT is around fertilization period so it is not expected to cause any problem.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.
Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
It is about 0.01 mSV.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
It is very small dose.It is about 0.01 mSV.It is not concerning.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.
Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
It is about 0.01 mSV.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
It is very small dose.It is about 0.01 mSV.It is not concerning.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.
Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
hi my doctor said egg would not be fertolized on 17th. if concieved zygote would form only on 18th. if sperm and egg have met but fertilisation is not complete then is there any effect?
Brief Answer:
This much radiation is not expected to affect.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
You don't worry at all.Exact time of fertilization is difficult to calculate some times.
This much radiation is not expected to affect at all in any case.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.
Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
This much radiation is not expected to affect.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
You don't worry at all.Exact time of fertilization is difficult to calculate some times.
This much radiation is not expected to affect at all in any case.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.
Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Answered by
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