Re: Intestinal Uptake

[pward@iastate.edu]

Regarding the first patient, part of the differential diagnosis for
pernicious anemia is determing poor uptake versus metabolism of vitamin B-12
(cyanocobalamin).  a radiolabled (either Co-57 or Co-60) cyanocobalamin was
used, sometimes in combination with radioiodinated (I-125 or I-131) folic acid.
However, This was usually an in-vitro test.

The second patient sounds more like a description of an upper G.I. with
barium swallow while being fluoroscoped.  I had the same thing done sometime
in the sixties.  The patient may mistakenly believe that the barium was
radioactive.  The x-ray dose was probably substantial though.  Image
intensifiers weren't used back then.  It was a real fluoroscope with just a
leaded glass fluorescent screen and a radiologist with leaded glass goggles
and a serious lead apron.

Standard Disclaimer: This information is worth what you paid for it.  The
opinion expressed is my own. If management agrees with me it's strictly
coincidental (and unusual).
---
Paul Ward
pward@iastate.edu
215 Nuclear Engineering Laboratory, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011
(515) 294-0746, (515) 294-9357 FAX