Re: Schilling Test

["Bruce B. Dicey, X-2320" <RSDBBD@vegas.las.epa.gov>]

Another reply to Peter V. re. Schilling Test:

The textbook "Nuclear Medicine - 2nd Edition", by W.H. Blahd, published 
1965 & 1971, advocates whole-body counting as an alternative to the 
Schilling test as a means of measuring absorption and excretion of vitamin 
B-12 in diagnosis of pernicious anemia.

"The primary advantages of the whole-body counting technique are the low 
levels of tracer required, 0.1 uCi cyancobalamin Co-60 or less, and the 
avoidance of the collection and radiochemical analysis of excretia.  
Because of the high sensitivity of this system, long-term turnover rates 
can be measured accurately 1 - 3 years after administration of the tracer.  
Following administration of a tracer dose of cyanocobalamin Co-60, the 
initial whole body count is obtained from 4 to 6 hours.  Whole-body 
retention is measured after 7 to 10 days.  The range of cyanocobalamin 
Co-60 absorption in subjects with pernicious anemia is 0 to 17%, whereas 
subjects without pernicious anemia have an absorption rate of 45 to 80% 
..." (pp. 703-704). 

The text refers also to Heyssel, R.M., Absorption and excretion of vitamin 
B12 measured by whole body counting, pp. 241-252 in _Clinical Uses of Whole 
Body Counting_, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, 1966.

Hope this helps fill in the picture.

Bruce B. Dicey
Sr. Health Physicist
US-EPA Las Vegas
(702) 798-2320
E-mail: RSDBBD@VEGAS.LAS.EPA.GOV

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