Thyroid Imaging
Thyroid imaging determines if a patient’s thyroid is working properly, diagnoses hyperthyroidism, reveals lumps or inflammation, shows if cancer treatment is working and if cancer has spread. The test is called a radioactive iodine uptake test (RAIU). It evaluates the structure and the function of the thyroid, a gland that controls the body’s metabolism. An iodine or agent, which collects in the thyroid, is injected into a vein or swallowed by the patient. The SPECT camera records the gamma rays or energy released from the iodine, measuring how much is absorbed into the gland. This helps determine the size, shape and location of the thyroid as well as the function of the gland. Whole-body thyroid scans are performed on patients who have been diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
Thyroid Therapy
Iodine therapy - radioiodine I-131- is used to treat hyperthyroidism, also called an overactive thyroid. The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate the body’s metabolism. When the gland becomes overactive, it releases too much of the hormones, increasing metabolism. Often patients who present with weight loss, an enlarged thyroid, fast heart rate, high blood pressure and intolerance for heat, are tested for hyperthyroidism.
The iodine is swallowed by the patient, causing it to collect in the thyroid gland, where it begins to destroy the additional thyroid cells. In some cases, the treatment slows the thyroid to the proper levels, but in others it can lead to an under active thyroid, which needs additional medical treatment. Graves Disease, multinodular goiters, thyroid cancer and other conditions are also treated with
Thyroid Imaging
Thyroid imaging determines if a patient’s thyroid is working properly, diagnoses hyperthyroidism, reveals lumps or inflammation, shows if cancer treatment is working and if cancer has spread. The test is called a radioactive iodine uptake test (RAIU). It evaluates the structure and the function of the thyroid, a gland that controls the body’s metabolism. An iodine or agent, which collects in the thyroid, is injected into a vein or swallowed by the patient. The SPECT camera records the gamma rays or energy released from the iodine, measuring how much is absorbed into the gland. This helps determine the size, shape and location of the thyroid as well as the function of the gland. Whole-body thyroid scans are performed on patients who have been diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
Thyroid Therapy
Iodine therapy - radioiodine I-131- is used to treat hyperthyroidism, also called an overactive thyroid. The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate the body’s metabolism. When the gland becomes overactive, it releases too much of the hormones, increasing metabolism. Often patients who present with weight loss, an enlarged thyroid, fast heart rate, high blood pressure and intolerance for heat, are tested for hyperthyroidism.
The iodine is swallowed by the patient, causing it to collect in the thyroid gland, where it begins to destroy the additional thyroid cells. In some cases, the treatment slows the thyroid to the proper levels, but in others it can lead to an under active thyroid, which needs additional medical treatment. Graves Disease, multinodular goiters, thyroid cancer and other conditions are also treated with