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Thyroid Uptake & Scan Test
Your doctor has ordered a Thyroid Uptake & Scan for you at
Vidant Medical Center.
Overview:
This is a simple non-invasive way to evaluate the structure and function of your thyroid gland. A Thyroid Uptake and
Scan is a two-day, two-part study.
Preparation for the procedure:
You must have had no X-ray exams involving iodine contrast (such as a IVP or CT) in the last 6 weeks.
Your physician will arrange for a pregnancy test if needed:
If the patient is female and between the ages of 12 to 55, sexually active, and has not had a hysterectomy or tubal
ligation a negative serum pregnancy test is required (For the pregnancy test to be accurate the patient must refrain
from sexual activity 10 days before the pregnancy test and until completion of this procedure).
If you have been taking thyroid hormones, your physician will ask you to discontinue taking them for a short period of
time.
Tell us if you are currently breastfeeding. You cannot continue to breastfeed after you receive the radioactive tracer.
You may have a light breakfast every morning before you come in for your procedure. You do not need to be fasting for
a thyroid uptake & scan procedure.
How is it done?
 Day 1: You will be given a capsule to take by mouth. This contains a small amount of radioactive material that
emits radiation. This capsule is a diagnostic dose for measuring the function of your thyroid.

Day 2: Approximately 1-½ hours will be required for thyroid measurement and a body scan
1) UPTAKE – a small probe will be placed at the base of your neck and on your thigh, just
above the knee. This probe will measure the amount of radiation your body is emitting.
2) SCAN – The thyroid scan requires an injection of a small amount of radioactive tracer into
your vein. After a 15-minute wait, you will be asked to lie flat on an imaging bed. A gamma
camera will then take pictures of your thyroid.
Will the procedure make you feel any different?
You won’t have any symptoms or feel any different after taking your diagnostic pill or receiving your injection. The
technologist will make you as comfortable as possible while the camera is scanning.
What if a therapy dose is required?
On day 2, if it is determined that a therapy dose is required the Radiologist will speak to you about this additional
procedure. The Radiologist will conduct a brief exam; and he will answer any question you may have. A Therapy
dose will be ordered from our nuclear pharmacy in New Bern, it will take approximately 1 ½ to 2 hours to arrive. You
may wait in our cafeteria, with a complimentary lunch pass from the Nuclear Medicine Department until your dose
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arrives. Your technologist will give you the therapy capsule and go over all the instructions with you. You will also
receive a written copy of instructions to review at home.
What will a therapy dose do?
Treatment with radioactive iodine will selectively destroy thyroid tissue so that your thyroid will not continue to
over-produce thyroid hormone. In most cases, just enough thyroid tissue will be destroyed so that, eventually, your
thyroid will produce the correct amount of thyroid hormone. Once in a while, not enough thyroid tissue will be
damaged, and a second treatment will be required. If too much thyroid tissue is destroyed, a thyroid hormone
supplement pill will be prescribed. This is a synthetic version of the thyroid hormone that your body produces. It is
safe, effective and is taken by over 10 million Americans.
What if I have further questions?
We want to make sure you are completely satisfied. Please feel free to call the Nuclear Medicine
Department at any time with questions. 252-847-4770.
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