Department of Radiology
Whinney Heys Road
FY3 8NR Blackpool Lancashire

Tel: 01253 6635
Fax: 01253 306621

How to Find Us

Head of Department
Dr. Roger Bury
Telephone: 01253 903615
Fax: 01253 909999

Blackpool Victoria Hospital
Ultrasound
01253 306645
Nuclear Medicine
01253 303919
CT/MR Scanning
01253 306619
Barium/Fluoroscopy
01253 303545
Mammography
01253 306984

Fleetwood Hospital
 X-ray & Fluoroscopy
01253 306004
Ultrasound
01253 303146

Clifton Hospital
 X-ray
01253 657010
Ultrasound
01253 306645

Information for Patients

Click on the appropriate link for more information about our special investigations  

 






Nuclear Medicine - Thyroid Scan

Nuclear medicine examinations are scans in which a small amount of radioactivity (gamma rays) is used to enable us to take pictures and to diagnose and treat a variety of diseases and conditions.

The thyroid scan is used to determine the size, shape and position of the thyroid gland. A whole-body thyroid scan is typically performed on people who have or had thyroid cancer.

A physician may perform these imaging tests to:

  • determine if the gland is working properly

  • help diagnose problems with the thyroid gland, such as an overactive thyroid gland, cancer or other growths

  • assess the nature of a nodule discovered in the gland

  • detect areas of abnormality, such as lumps or inflammation

  • determine whether thyroid cancer has spread beyond the thyroid gland

  • evaluate changes in the gland following medication use, surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy


 

There is not usually any special preparation for the scan. You will be able to eat and drink normally and continue with any prescribed medication unless you are told otherwise.

In the days prior to your examination, blood tests may be performed to measure the level of thyroid hormones in your blood. You may be told not to eat for several hours before your exam because eating can affect the accuracy of the uptake measurement.

If you are or may be pregnant or are breast feeding please tell us before your scan.

 

  • The injection of the radionuclide may cause some slight discomfort. Allergic reactions to the radionuclide are rare.

    If you are pregnant or suspect that you may be pregnant, you should notify your health care provider due to the risk of injury to the fetus from a myocardial perfusion scan. Radiation exposure during pregnancy may lead to birth defects. If you are breastfeeding, you should notify your health care provider due to the risk of contaminating breast milk with the radionuclide.

    Patients who are allergic to or sensitive to medications, contrast dyes, iodine, tape, or latex should notify their doctor.
     

When you arrive, report to X-ray Central Reception.

You will be positioned on an examination table. If necessary, a radiographer will insert a cannula into a vein in your hand or arm.

Depending on the type of nuclear medicine exam you are undergoing, the dose of radiotracer is then injected through the cannula, swallowed or inhaled as a gas.

When radiotracer is taken by mouth, in either liquid or capsule form, it is typically swallowed up to 24 hours before the scan. The radiotracer given by intravenous injection is usually given up to 30 minutes prior to the test.

When it is time for the imaging to begin, you will lie down on a moveable examination table with your head tipped backward and neck extended. The gamma camera will then take a series of images, capturing images of the thyroid gland from three different angles. You will need to remain still for brief periods of time while the camera is taking pictures.

Actual scanning time for a thyroid scan is about 30 minutes.

After the scan you can eat normally and go wherever you wish. You may be asked to drink plenty of fluids and empty your bladder frequently for 24-48 hours, to wash the radioactivity out of your body (this will also disappear naturally).

It is best to avoid cuddling your children for the rest of the day to avoid exposing them to unnecessary radiation.

The results of your examination will not be given to you on the same day, but will be forwarded to your consultant who will write to you or arrange an appointment.

 

 

An example of what a thyroid scan may look like.