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Thyroid Uptake and Scan

A Thyroid Uptake and Scan (or scan only), evaluates thyroid nodules, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism and goiter.

The uptake portion evaluates thyroid function.

What to Bring

  • Your physician order (your physician may have already sent this to us)
  • Personal ID
  • Insurance Cards
  • Medication List

How to Prepare

  • No iodinated contrast media for 6 weeks (CT, EXU, or angiograms)
  • No myelogram for 6 months
  • Ask your doctor about discontinuing thyroid and anti-thyroid medications before your exam for 2 weeks.
  • Refrain from eating kelp, sushi, and seaweed for 1 week prior.
  • Please have nothing to eat or drink 2 hours prior to exam.
  • Please inform the technologist if you are pregnant.
  • If you wear an on-body device (insulin pump, insulin regulators, Neulasta, other chemo/insulin devices, etc.), you must inform your technologist.

What to Expect

  • Upon arrival, the technologist will explain the procedure and answer any questions you may have.
  • You will be given a small capsule (to swallow) containing a tiny amount of radioactive material and then asked to not eat for another 2 hours. This is to ensure maximum absorption of the capsule.
  • You will return approximately 6 hours later for 30 minutes of imaging.
  • Depending on your doctor’s order, you may also return the following morning for 5 minutes of imaging.

During the Exam

  • You will be lying down on a cushioned table.
  • A camera will be placed over your neck.

After the Exam

  • You may resume your thyroid medications as prescribed.
  • Your study will be reviewed by a Radiologist and the results sent to your physician. Your physician will discuss these results with you.