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.