What is Thyroid scan and uptake or Thyroid nuclear medicine tests?

NHT: Ask your QuestionsCategory: QuestionsWhat is Thyroid scan and uptake or Thyroid nuclear medicine tests?
Admin_NHT Staff asked 4 years ago

Definition: This is an imaging procedure that uses radioactive materials called radiotracers to examine the shape, size, position and functioning of the thyroid gland.

Procedure:

The test is done in the nuclear medicine department by a nuclear medicine technologist.

Generally, radioactive iodine is given in the form of a capsule or liquid 24 hours before the exam or as an intravenous injection just 30 minutes before the exam.

Then the patient is asked to lie down on a moveable examination table with the head dipped backward providing a prominent view of the neck.

Then the gamma camera or scanner is used to capture the images of the thyroid gland at three different angles and this thyroid scan is completed within 30 minutes.

For the thyroid uptake test, the patient is asked to sit upright and a probe is placed over the thyroid gland. The levels of uptake of radioactive iodine by the thyroid gland at 4-6 hours and 24 hours from the time of consumption of the radioactive iodine are measured.

This occurs within 5 minutes or less.

When is it done? :

In patients with thyroid cancer

To evaluate the changes in the gland after the use of radiotherapy or drugs.

To diagnose the abnormalities of the gland, and overactivity of the gland.

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