What Is a Thyroid Scan?

A thyroid scan is a specialized imaging procedure. Typically, a scan

is used with nuclear medicine to evaluate the way your thyroid
functions. Your thyroid is the gland that controls your metabolism.
Its located in the front part of your neck. Nuclear medicine uses
small amounts of radioactive material to diagnose disease.
Radioactive iodine is typically used in thyroid tests, including a
thyroid scan. Your thyroid and most types of thyroid cancer absorb
iodine naturally. The radioactive iodine builds up in your thyroid
tissue. A gamma camera or scanner detects the radioactive
emissions. Your doctor will use the results of this test to evaluate
how your thyroid is functioning.
Part 2 of 8: Uses
Uses of a Thyroid Scan
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Thyroid scans can help

your doctor determine if
your thyroid is working
properly. Radioactive
iodine uptake (RAIU) is
added to the scan to
measure your thyroids
reaction.
A radioactive material
called a radioisotope, or radionuclide tracer, is given to you
before the test. You may get it by through an injection, a liquid, or a
tablet. The tracer releases gamma rays when its in your body. A
gamma camera or scanner can detect this type of energy from
outside your body.
The camera scans your thyroid area. It tracks the tracer and
measures how your thyroid processes it. The camera works with a
computer to create images that detail the thyroids structure and
function based on how it interacts with the tracer.

A thyroid scan can be used to evaluate abnormalities found in a

physical exam or laboratory test. The images from this test can be
used to diagnose:
lumps, nodules (cysts), or other growths
inflammation, or swelling
an overactive thyroid, which is called hyperthyroidism
an underactive thyroid, which is called hypothyroidism
goiter, which is an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid
thyroid cancer
An RAIU evaluates the function of the thyroid gland. When your
thyroid absorbs the radioactive iodine, it processes the iodine to
make thyroid hormones. By measuring the amount of radioactive
iodine in your thyroid gland, your doctor can evaluate the way
youre producing thyroid hormones.
A metastatic survey is a type of thyroid scan. Its usually reserved
for people with thyroid cancer. It can determine whether thyroid
cancer has spread by detecting where the iodine is absorbed. The
procedure is typically performed after thyroid surgery and ablation,
or removal. It can identify pieces of the thyroid that remain after
surgery.
Part 3 of 8: Procedure
Thyroid Scan Procedure
Thyroid scans are usually performed on an
outpatient basis in the nuclear medicine
department of a hospital. It can be
administered by a nuclear medicine
technologist. Your endocrinologist may or
may not be there during the procedure.
Before any thyroid scan, youll receive
radionuclide in the form of a pill, liquid, or
injection. When youve waited the necessary
amount of time for the radioactive iodine to be absorbed, youll
return to the nuclear medicine department.

Thyroid Scan Procedure

Youll lie down on an examination table for a thyroid scan without
RAIU. The technologist will tip your head back so that your neck is
extended. Theyll then use a scanner or camera to take photos of
your thyroid, usually from at least three different angles. Youll be
asked to stay very still while the images are taken. The process
takes about 30 minutes.
RAIU Procedure
RAIU is performed six to 24 hours after taking the radionuclide.
Youll sit upright in a chair for an RAIU. The technologist will place a
probe over your thyroid gland, where it will measure the
radioactivity present. This test takes several minutes.
Youll return to the nuclear medicine department to have another
set of readings taken 24 hours after the test. This allows your doctor
to determine the amount of thyroid hormone produced between the
two exams.
Metastatic Survey Procedure
Youll receive radioiodine in pill form for a metastatic survey. Youll
need to wait from two to seven days to allow the iodine to travel
throughout your entire body.
On the day of the survey, youll lie down on an exam table. Scans of
your body will be taken from the front and the back while you lie
very still. This can be uncomfortable for some people.
Part 4 of 8: Recovery
Recovery from a Thyroid Scan
After your thyroid scan, you must contact
your physician for instructions on how to
resume taking your thyroid medication.
The radioactive iodine in your body is passed when you urinate. You
may be advised to drink extra fluids and empty your bladder often
to flush out the radionuclide. You may need to be careful to protect

others from potential exposure to the material. To do this, your

doctor may advise you to flush twice after using the toilet for up to
48 hours after the test.
You can typically resume your normal diet and activities
immediately after any thyroid scan.
Part 5 of 8: Risks
Risks of a Thyroid Scan
Theres a small but safe amount of radiation
contained in the radionuclide used in any
thyroid scan. Your exposure to radiation will
be minimal and within the acceptable ranges for diagnostic exams.
There are no known long-term complications of having a nuclear
medicine procedure.
Allergic reactions to the radionuclide material are extremely rare.
The effects are mild when they occur. You may experience mild pain
and redness at the injection site for a short time if you receive an
injection of the radionuclide.
Even though the radiation exposure is minimal and short-term,
thyroid scans are not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding
women. Your doctor may recommend that you avoid becoming
pregnant or fathering a child for six months after the test if you
have had a metastatic scan.
Part 6 of 8: Preparation
Preparing for a Thyroid Scan
Tell your physician about any prescription or
over-the-counter medications youre taking.
Discuss how they should be used before and
during the test.
You may have to discontinue thyroid
medication from four to six weeks before
your scan. Some heart medications and any
medicine containing iodine also may require

adjustments.
For any thyroid scan, you may be asked to avoid certain foods that
contain iodine for about a week before your procedure. Typically,
you shouldnt eat:
dairy products
shellfish
sushi
kelp
seaweed
iodized salt
seasonings that contain iodized salt

You also should refrain from using:

antihistamines
cough syrups
multivitamins
supplements containing iodine

Other drugs that could affect the results of an RAIU are:

adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
barbiturates
corticosteroids
estrogen
lithium
Lugols solution, which contains iodine
nitrates
phenothiazines
tolbutamide
You shouldnt have any other imaging tests that use radioactive
iodine for six weeks before your thyroid scan. A few days before
your procedure, your doctor may request a blood test to confirm
that your thyroid function is still abnormal. Thyroid scans are used
as secondary diagnostic tools to other tests, such as blood work. A
scan is not typically used when thyroid functions are normal. An
exception to this is when there are nodules or goiters present.
You may have to fast for several hours before your exam. Food can

affect the accuracy of the RAIU measurement.

Youll have to remove any jewelry or other metal accessories before
the test. These may interfere with the accuracy of the scan.
Part 7 of 8: Results
Results of a Thyroid Scan
A doctor who specializes in nuclear imaging
will evaluate the images and results of your
thyroid scan. Your results will be sent in a
report to your doctor.
Thyroid Scan Results
A normal thyroid scan would show no
abnormalities in the size, shape, and
location of the thyroid gland. Your thyroid
will have an even green color on the image. Red spots on the image
indicate abnormal growths in the thyroid. Normal results from a
metastatic scan indicate an absence of thyroid tissue and no spread
of thyroid cancer.
An abnormal thyroid scan may show a thyroid thats enlarged or out
of position, indicating a possible tumor. Abnormal measurements
also may show that your thyroid gland collected too much or too
little of the radionuclide.
Abnormal results of a thyroid scan may also indicate:
colloid nodular goiter, which is a type of thyroid enlargement due to
too little iodine
Graves disease, which is a type of hyperthyroidism
painless thyroiditis, which can involve switching between
hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism
toxic nodular goiter, which is an enlargement of a nodule on an
existing goiter
Metastatic Survey Results
Abnormal results from a metastatic survey will show that there are
locations where the thyroid cancer has spread. The study will also

show where residual thyroid tissue remains after surgical removal or

ablation, which destroyed the gland.
RAIU Results
Abnormally high levels of thyroid hormone may indicate:
the early stage of Hashimotos thyroiditis, which is a chronic
swelling of the thyroid
factitious hyperthyroidism, which is an overactive thyroid caused by
taking too much thyroid medication
hyperthyroidism
goiter
Abnormally low levels of thyroid hormone may indicate:
hypothyroidism
iodine overload
subacute thyroiditis, which is an inflammation of the thyroid gland
caused by a virus
thyroid nodules or goiter
Part 8 of 8: Outlook
Outlook
Your doctor will discuss your test results with
you. If your tests show that your thyroid is
not functioning the way it should, they may order more tests to help
them find the right diagnosis. Depending on your condition, they
might give you medications to either increase your thyroid hormone
levels or decrease them. Careful follow-up is necessary to ensure
that your hormone levels are normal. This will also help you avoid
any health complications.