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A thyroid scan is a diagnostic imaging test used to assess and evaluate the structure and function of the thyroid gland, a small, butterfly-shaped gland in your neck involved in regulating your metabolism, energy production, and overall hormonal balance.
This form of nuclear medicine imaging uses a small amount of radioactive material, known as a radiotracer, and a gamma camera to produce an image of your thyroid, offering insight into its size, shape and function. This image is then used to assess your thyroid’s function and spot any abnormalities.
Thyroid scans are used to investigate issues, such as:
- Hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid
- Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid
- Thyroid nodules
- Thyroid cancer
- Thyroiditis
- Goiter (an enlarged thyroid)
A thyroid scan uses gamma rays and a special gamma ray camera to capture images of the thyroid gland.
First, you’ll be given a small amount of radioactive material, usually radioactive iodine or technetium, either as a tablet or injected into a convenient vein. The tracer travels through your bloodstream and is eventually absorbed by your thyroid gland.
Once enough of the radioactivity has built up in your thyroid gland, a gamma camera is used to detect the gamma rays emitted by the tracer. The camera creates very detailed images of your thyroid, which can then help nuclear medicine physicians to build up a picture of the size, shape, structure and function of your thyroid.
Based on what the images show, your consultant will then give you an overview of your thyroid condition and performance and recommend the next steps in your treatment pathway.
Your consultant will be able to advise you if you might be experiencing problems with your thyroid and recommend blood tests to determine if a scan is necessary.
You might need a thyroid scan if you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms or medical conditions:
- Unexplained weight loss or gain
- Swelling or lumps in the neck
- Fatigue or excessive energy
- Irregular heartbeats
- Difficulty swallowing
- A family history of thyroid disease or thyroid cancer
Thyroid scans are a non-invasive and low-risk way of examining your thyroid, providing highly detailed images that help to make accurate diagnoses of your thyroid condition. Scans can also catch any abnormalities or cancer at an early stage.
As part of a treatment pathway, thyroid scans are also vital for planning and evaluating the effectiveness of treatments for thyroid disorders.
The cost of a thyroid scan depends on your individual circumstances. At the time of your appointment your consultant will discuss all options with you and ensure all your questions are answered.
Our fixed-price packages include the cost of your surgery and all appropriate aftercare appointments. However, any pre-surgery diagnostic tests and your consultant's outpatient appointment consultation fee are charged separately.
Our flexible payment options help you spread the cost of your payment across a time period that suits you.
Before undergoing a thyroid scan, your consultant will talk you through the procedure and answer any questions or concerns you might have. They may also recommend pausing any current medication you might be taking if there’s a chance it could interfere with your scan.
Your consultant might recommend avoiding any foods high in iodine, such as seafood or dairy, as this might interfere with the imaging. Some scans also require fasting for a few hours before the procedure.
Your thyroid scan begins with the tracer. This will either be given to you as a small pill to take with water or injected into a vein, usually in your arm.
You’ll then be asked to wait while the radioactive tracer works its way to your thyroid gland to be absorbed. This can take anywhere from 20 mins to 24 hours, but your consultant will advise you so you can prepare for your scan in advance.
Next, you’ll be asked to lie down on a special bed so the gamma camera can take a series of images of your thyroid. While undergoing the scan, you’ll need to stay still to keep the results as clear as possible.
After the scan, you should drink plenty of fluids, both to stay hydrated and to help flush out the radioactive material from your body.
As the scan is non-invasive, you can go home and resume your normal activities straight away. Your consultant will review the results with a nuclear medicine physician and go through your results with you at your next appointment.
Side effects are rare but may include mild allergic reactions to the radiotracer or slight discomfort where you were injected.
Most people can safely have a thyroid scan, but it is not recommended for pregnant women, due to the potential risks to the foetus. Breastfeeding women should also seek advice from their consultant, as they may need to stop temporarily if they are allowed to have a scan. If you have a known allergy to radioactive tracers, an alternative imaging method will be recommended.
Recovering from a thyroid scan is usually very straightforward. You’ll be able to resume your normal activities straight away after the scan, and you should try to drink plenty of fluids to flush the radioactive tracer out of your system. If you do experience any unusual symptoms, we recommend reporting them to your consultant as soon as possible.
Your thyroid scan results can show either normal or abnormal thyroid functioning.
If your thyroid is functioning normally, it’ll appear on your scan results as the correct size and shape, and in the correct location.
If your thyroid is functioning abnormally, your thyroid scan results might show:
- Your thyroid is enlarged or pushed to one side
- Nodules are darker or lighter than the scan
- Only part of your thyroid looks lighter
- Your thyroid collected too much or too little radionuclide
At your next appointment, your consultant will discuss any necessary follow-up steps, including additional tests or treatment options if anything abnormal is discovered.
Although you’ll be exposed to radioactive liquid as part of your thyroid scan, thyroid scans are typically low risk due to the very small amount of radiotracer used. Ultimately, the benefits of having a scan to assess your thyroid health outweighs any radiation risk.
The only exception is for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Although small amounts of radioactive tracer are used in a thyroid scan, there’s a risk the tracer may expose your foetus to radiation if you’re pregnant. There’s also a chance the radioactive iodine can be secreted into breastmilk, putting your baby at risk of radiation exposure if you’re breastfeeding. Due to these risks, your consultant will look at other ways to test your thyroid if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
After your thyroid scan, you might experience pain at the site of injection, which should clear up within a couple of days. While rare, there’s also a chance you’ll have a mild allergic reaction to the radioactive tracer.
- Thyroid scan NHS Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
- Thyroid Scan Healthline
- Thyroid Scan and Uptake RadiologyInfo
- Thyroid Uptake & Scan Cleveland Clinic
