Radioactive C14 and breastfeeding

[Indadhanu]

I need to have a test done on Tuesday - Helicobacter Breath Test. I wasn't told it was done with radioactive C14, nor was I asked if I was breastfeeding. But having a search I've found it's radioactive.

I'm feeding Jazz, once a day, at night.

Barb... or anyone who might know, what is the risk? I can't find any info one way or the other, and can't get in contact with my pathology place until Monday morning.

[Indadhanu]

If it makes a difference, the test is booked for 8am, and it would probably be 10-12 hours until I feed Jazz...? Does anyone know how long it would take to go through my body?

[Visitor7]

My mum is the manager at Qld Xray up here, so I'll give her a call today and find out for you. All they've got on their website is this:

Restrictions apply for pregnant and breast feeding patients. Please contact practice for details.

I'll get back to you later with more info.

ETA:
Also found this:

How long does the radiotracer stay in your body?
Generally, most radiotracers are undetectable within 24 to 36 hours.
In some procedures, however, the radiotracer may last up to 7 - 14 days. The radiation dose is minimal and is often much less than ordinary x-ray studies. Once the procedure is completed there are no precautions to take and you can continue everything as normal.

[AnyDream]

Leasha, I was still breastfeeding when I had a breath test done. I remember the guy who booked it asking me if I was pregnant or breastfeeding and then they booked me for a different type of test. (I remember sitting on hold listening to their terrible music thinking, why should this matter, while he checked which one he needed to book me in for).

[Indadhanu]

Thank Jodi, I appreciate it
If i refuse this test I'd have to have an endoscopy (gastroscopy), which I'd rather not have if I can help it, but I'm also not sure about having the C14...

Marydean... they haven't mentioned a different test. Im going to need to ring and see if I can have a different one. Is it much different?

[AnyDream]

Leasha, from a quick google, I think the different tests are a "14C" vs a "13C" Urea Breath Test. Carbon-14 is radioactive but carbon-13 is not (it's a stable isotope).

From wikipedia

Patients swallow urea labelled with an uncommon isotope, either radioactive carbon-14 or non-radioactive carbon-13. In the subsequent 10–30 minutes, the detection of isotope-labelled carbon dioxide in exhaled breath indicates that the urea was split; this indicates that urease (the enzyme that H. pylori uses to metabolize urea) is present in the stomach, and hence that H. pylori bacteria are present.

I also found this link about this non-radioactive test kit.

Perhaps you weren't advised/asked about it because this service only provides the non-radioactive test. Or maybe your dr noted that you were breastfeeding on the referral and has requested the non-radioactive test. But absolutely query this on Monday and make sure you get the non-radioactive one!!!
.

[Indadhanu]

I had a lightbulb moment and rang their head office place, and they said they don't have the centres stock the C13 test anymore because it's so much more expensive apparently BUT they said I can ask my doctor to do a helicobacter antibody blood test, so I might have to do that I think. UGH back to the doctors surgery!

We're going to a new doctor at a different doctors surgery, and she doesn't know I'm breastfeeding. Never thought to mention it.

[AnyDream]

A different pathology service in your area may still do the C13 tests. Seriously, "it's more expensive" is *not* a good enough reason not to provide the test. I wouldn't have thought that a blood test would give the same level of clinical accuracy as the breath test. Ask your dr about the likely difference in cost and whether they could request it to be bulkbilled for you.

[Indadhanu]

I rang another one, they do the C14 too.

[OceanPrincess]

Leash can I ask why you're against a gastroscopy? My mum has had two and she said they were fine... Just thinking if the C-14 test isn't an option...

[Indadhanu]

Isn't it a day surgery procedure? I don't have PHI, and didn't want to put myself through a long wait in public when there are other quicker, less invasive tests. In saying that, obviously I can't have the C14 and am finding it impossible to get the C13. I guess the blood test is the way to go.

[briggsy's girl]

Leash, i had to have day surgery for gastroscopy only because i can't swallow the thing (apparently even under a light GA i fought the doctor - he wasn't happy with the anaesthetist for not putting me under enough) - my mum has had several of them done in the office of the specialist because she doesn't have the sensitive gag reflex i have...

hope you can get a referral to someone who will be able to do the c13 rather than c14 - or at least find out through the BT if it's warranted to have the test...

[AnyDream]

Leash go & see yr doctor & let them do the footwork to organize the c13 for you.

[AnyDream]

Leasha, did you get the C13 sorted?

[Indadhanu]

No, I've rang all the pathology places, no one will offer the C13. The only options I have are: pump and dump for 48 hours (which I think would effectively wean us, and I'd have a pretty unhappy toddler on my hands when she realises tonight she can't have booby), have the blood test, or have the endoscopy.

I'm waiting to see how the bloods I got taken this morning come back, and how the scans I have in a few hours go, and we'll see where to go from there.
It's not even the fact that I'm breastfeeding now, it's the fact that no one will do the C13 test! I know she's old enough to wean, but I'm not doing that just because some pathology places won't go to the effort. What if I was still breastfeeding full-time, pump and dump for 48 hours would be near impossible, since I'd have to spend so much time pumping in the lead up to have enough to feed for 48 hours. Just for one little 15 minute test! AND it's not even necessary, because heres another test out there that does the exact same thing!

[Kmn]

Given that the radiation dosage involved in the test is less than a days background radiation, I'm a bit surprised that they are wanting you to pump and dump.
Can you ask what they would do for a two year old with a suspected helicobacter infection??

[Indadhanu]

Blood test I guess, or endoscopy. Or a stool sample maybe? The breath test wouldn't really be appropriate I don't think, since first they have to swallow the capsule, and then they have to blow up a a bag.

They said there is no information about if it passes through to milk or not, and I'm not willing to be a guinea pig.

[Kmn]

Fair enough!
I think that it would go into your milk - the question is more whether that level of radiation would pose any risk for Jazz.