Thyroid Uptake and Scan

What is the purpose of this scan?
This scan allows physicians to examine the thyroid for both anatomical and functional abnormalities.

How is this scan performed?
This test requires two visits, a day apart. On the first day you will meet with one of the nuclear medicine physicians for a brief interview. The physician will give you three capsules containing a small amount of radioactive iodine. Over the next 24 hours, this material will travel to your thyroid and stay there. This will allow us to test the function of the thyroid and take pictures.

For the first part of the examination, you will sit in a chair with a probe on your neck. The probe will take counts of your thyroid. These counts will help us determine the uptake of the thyroid. This part of the exam will take about 10 minutes.

You will then be asked to lie on a table so that pictures can be taken of your thyroid. A camera that detects radioactivity will be positioned above your neck for about 20 minutes. Nothing will touch you. It is very important that you do not move for this procedure. After the pictures are completed, the nuclear medicine physician will determine if any more pictures are needed. If more pictures are needed, they will be taken at this time.

How do I prepare for this scan?
To prepare for this test you should only have a light meal four hours before taking the capsules.

How will I feel after I have a thyroid uptake and scan?
The radioactive capsules will have no effect on how you feel.

How soon will my doctor get the results?
After the procedure is complete, a nuclear medicine physician will study the pictures along with your medical history to make an assessment of what the photos show. He will then dictate a report that will be forwarded to your physician within five to seven business days. If your doctor needs the results sooner, he/she may contact the nuclear medicine physician on the day of the exam.

How do I make an appointment?
Your doctor will write an order or prescription for the test. The doctor will either give you the order or have it faxed to the hospital. You may then schedule your appointment by calling the Nuclear Medicine Department at 847-723-6080.

If I still have questions who should I call?
For more information about the procedure, please call the Nuclear Medicine Department at 847-723-6080.