Nuclear Medicine Exams - Thyroid Uptake and Scan

Nuclear Medicine Exams

Thyroid Uptake and Scan

What is a Thyroid Uptake and Scan?

A thyroid uptake measures overall thyroid gland 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 the Nuclear Medicine Department.

What Does a Thyroid Scan and Uptake Entail?

On the first day, you will be asked to swallow a small amount of radioactive iodine in a capsule. This visit should take about fifteen minutes.

About six hours later you will return for the first measurement of uptake and the scan which will take about fifteen minutes.

The next day, you will return for the remainder of the uptake procedures, which will take 15 to 30 minutes.

For the scan, you will lie on your back on an imaging table with the camera positioned above you. We will take several images of your thyroid. Each image takes five or ten minutes. Then, a nuclear medicine physician may examine your gland. We may take additional images to look at a certain part of your gland in detail. The imaging procedure will take about 45 minutes.

The uptake procedure measures the absorption of the radioactive iodine by your thyroid gland. As you sit comfortably in a chair, a thyroid probe will be positioned some inches from you neck, and several counts will be recorded. This will take ten or fifteen minutes.

Is Any Special Preparation Required Before Having a Thyroid Scan and Uptake?

If you are taking thyroid medications or preparations that contain iodine, you may be asked to stop them for a time before this test. Check with your physician regarding the timing of your medications.

Please do not eat anything after midnight on the night before you are scheduled to take the radioactive iodine capsule. If you are diabetic, please consult with your doctor before you change your diet or medication. You may otherwise drink clear liquids for breakfast and take any medications prescribed by your doctor. On the day of your exam, you will be able to eat normally two hours after you take the capsule.

How Safe Is This Procedure?

Nuclear medicine procedures are very safe. The radioactive material is cleared quickly from your body. With a normally functioning thyroid gland, the whole body radiation dose is 0.03 rem, which is less than most routine X-ray procedures.

How Will I Learn the Results?

After the exam, the nuclear medicine physician will evaluate the images and discuss them with your physician. Your physician will explain the results to you.

If you are or suspect you might be pregnant, please tell your doctor, nurse or technician.

If You Want More Information.

Please feel free to call one of the radiology nurses at 968-1722.