Thyroid scan

The thyroid scan looks at the function of your thyroid gland.

If there is a possibility that you are pregnant or if you are currently breastfeeding please inform the department before your appointment as we will likely have to re-schedule.

Whenever possible, you should attend your appointment alone, unless you need a carer to support any additional needs.

Your appointment will take 45 minutes.

If you have had a CT scan with contrast or you are taking any of the following medication please contact the Nuclear Medicine Department.

• Thyroxine (T4).
• Amiodarone.
• Iodine containing supplements.
• Triiodothyronine (T3).

When you arrive for your appointment, you will firstly be given a small injection of a radioactive liquid into a vein, usually in your arm or the back of your hand. This injection should not have any effect on you, but will allow us to take images using a gamma camera. The radioactive tracer will emit gamma rays which will be detected by a piece of equipment called a gamma camera.

Following the injection there will be a delay of 15 minutes while the tracer accumulates in the thyroid. During this time you will be required to drink 2 cups of water in order to wash out any tracer from the salivary glands and oesophagus.

IMAGE

For your scan you will be required to lie still on your back on the imaging bed, with a gamma camera positioned above you, but open at both sides whilst 2 images will be acquired. This should take 10 minutes.

If you are having your thyroid scan as part of your parathyroid scan a SPECT (3-dimensional) image will be required around your neck. This should take 20 minutes.

All images will be checked before you leave the department. Occasionally images may be repeated or extra images acquired if necessary.

You will be asked to remove any metallic objects, such as a phone, keys and necklace. You may also be asked to change into a gown.