How Accurate Is a PET Scan for Diagnosing Diseases, and Should I Get One? - #15153
I recently visited my doctor because I’ve been feeling extremely fatigued, weak, and just not myself for the past few months. After several basic tests, my doctor now wants me to get a PET scan to check for any underlying issues. I understand that a PET scan is an imaging test that uses a special dye with radioactive tracers, but I’m really nervous about the idea of radiation exposure and whether the scan is even necessary. From what I’ve read, a PET scan is mainly used to detect cancer, infections, and neurological disorders. But does it actually show early-stage conditions, or does it only pick up advanced diseases? I don’t have any diagnosed health conditions, but I do have persistent inflammation, body aches, and brain fog—could a PET scan help figure out what’s going on? Another thing I’m wondering about is false positives and false negatives. Can a PET scan sometimes miss something serious, or does it ever falsely show something abnormal when there’s actually nothing wrong? I don’t want to go through an expensive test only to end up with confusing results. I’m also worried about the radioactive dye used in PET scans. Is it safe? Are there any side effects I should be concerned about? Does Ayurveda recommend any detox methods after a PET scan to remove any residual effects of radiation from the body? If anyone has had a PET scan, I’d love to hear about your experience. Did it actually help diagnose a condition, or was it unnecessary? Should I ask my doctor for alternative tests before going for a PET scan?
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