Lågdos

Lågdos, or low dose, is a term used to describe a dose of a substance or exposure level that is considerably smaller than typical therapeutic, toxic, or hazardous levels. The precise definition is relative to the context, since different substances and applications have different reference points for what counts as “low.”

In medicine and pharmacology, lågdos refers to regimens that use smaller amounts of a drug or radiation compared with standard or peak-dose protocols. The aim is to retain therapeutic effects while reducing adverse reactions. Examples include low-dose aspirin in certain cardiovascular risk situations and dosing strategies intended to minimize toxicity during chemotherapy or treatment. In radiology and medical imaging, lågdos indicates procedures performed with reduced radiation exposure, balancing diagnostic value against potential radiation risks.

In toxicology and risk assessment, lågdos becomes a focus for understanding dose–response relationships at small exposures. Some substances exhibit linear behavior at low doses, while others show thresholds or non-linear effects that complicate risk prediction. Regulatory frameworks establish reference values such as acceptable daily intakes or reference doses, and employ principles like ALARA—as low as reasonably achievable—in radiation protection to limit exposure.

Measurement of lågdos depends on the field: pharmaceutical doses are often expressed in milligrams (mg) or micrograms, while radiation exposure is measured in units like millisieverts (mSv). Risk assessment uses extrapolation models to estimate potential health effects at low exposures, informing safety guidelines, monitoring, and public health decisions.