Nuclear Medicine Thyroid Scans
What is a nuclear medicine thyroid scan?
A thyroid scan is a type of nuclear medicine study that is used to evaluate thyroid morphology and function. A thyroid scan shows the structure, size, and location of your thyroid and the function of various portions of your gland. This procedure involves two visits to our Medical Imaging Center at Windsor Oaks.
What does a thyroid scan entail?
On your first visit the Medical Imaging Center at Windsor Oaks, you will be asked to swallow a small amount of radioactive iodine in a capsule. After about 4 hours, you will return for the first scan and measurement of uptake (the measurement of how much of the radioactive iodine is taken up or absorbed by the thyroid).
The uptake procedure takes approximately 5 minutes, as you lie on your back on an imaging table. For the scan, several images of your thyroid will be taken. Each image takes five or ten minutes. Then, our nuclear medicine radiologist may examine your gland. We may need to take additional images to look at a certain part of your gland in detail. The imaging procedure will take approximately 1 hour.
The next day you will return to our Windsor Oaks office for the remainder of the uptake procedures, which will take approximately 5 to 10 minutes.
Patients will feel no pain and minimal discomfort during a nuclear medicine thyroid scan. The patient is required to lie still during the exam unless prompted to move or change positions.
Is there any special preparation required before having a thyroid scan and uptake?
If you are on thyroid medications or preparations that contain iodine, you will be asked to stop taking these medications. Depending on the type of medication you are taking, we will make sure you have discontinued taking it for the appropriate amount of time before the thyroid scan. This can range from two to four weeks.
How safe is this procedure?
Nuclear medicine procedures (including thyroid scans) are very safe. The radioactive material is cleared quickly from your body. With a normally functioning thyroid gland, the whole body radiation is less than most routine x-rays.
How will I learn the results of my thyroid scan?
After the exam, our radiologist specializing in nuclear medicine will evaluate the images and will send the report with a detailed explanation to your physician. Your physician will explain the results to you.
