Imaging tests are important diagnostic tools, but imaging tests that use radiation have certain risks. The more radiation a person has been exposed to over his or her lifetime, the greater the risk of cancer and possibly tissue damage. Which of the following imaging tests exposes the recipient to the largest amount of radiation?

Computed tomography (CT)
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Ultrasonography
X-rays

S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine (SAMe)

Creator: Laura Shane-McWhorter
Published: 2020-07-13

By

Laura Shane-McWhorter

, PharmD, University of Utah College of Pharmacy

Last full review/revision Jul 2020| Content last modified Jul 2020

Click here for the Professional Version

S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe) is a naturally occurring agent in the human body, produced largely by the liver. It is also manufactured synthetically as a supplement. (See also Overview of Dietary Supplements Overview of Dietary Supplements Integrative medicine and health (IMH) and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) include healing approaches and therapies that historically have not been included in conventional, mainstream... read more .)

SAMe is said to be effective in treating depression, osteoarthritis, gallbladder, and liver disorders, but scientific studies so far do not clearly confirm these claims. More research is needed to verify its effectiveness for depression, but it may help people who have osteoarthritis function better. Better studies are needed to evaluate whether SAMe helps people with liver disorders.

No serious side effects have been reported. People with a bipolar disorder should not use SAMe because it can cause manic episodes.

Combining antidepressant drugs with SAMe, both of which will increase serotonin levels, may cause adverse effects such as rapid heart rate and anxiety.

The following is an English-language resource that may be useful. Please note that THE MANUAL is not responsible for the content of this resource.

National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Information on research regarding the use of SAMe for depression, osteoarthritis, and liver diseases

NOTE: This is the Consumer Version. DOCTORS: Click here for the Professional Version

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Imaging tests are important diagnostic tools, but imaging tests that use radiation have certain risks. The more radiation a person has been exposed to over his or her lifetime, the greater the risk of cancer and possibly tissue damage. Which of the following imaging tests exposes the recipient to the largest amount of radiation?

Computed tomography (CT)
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Ultrasonography
X-rays

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