About Thyroid Scan using Radioactive Iodine 131
Source: can’t remember exactly. Plucked it from the net. Though I had slightly different experiences, it’s pretty much helpful)
What is thyroid scan
Thyroid scan is a nuclear medicine examination that uses the emissions of gamma rays from radioactive iodine to help determine whether a patient has thyroid problems, including hyperthyroidism, cancer, or other growths.
Thyroid scan is also known as Radioactive iodine screening test, RAUI and Nuclear scan-thyroid. (The hospital where I’m treated called it ‘Thyroid Study’ and it consists of blood test, neck ultrasonography and neck or whole-body scanning, at the cost of 600 thousand Rupiahs. If you’re interested, I’d be happy to recommend the hospital and doctors)
Who should undergo a thyroid scan
Patients with suspected thyroid nodules or cancer.
Got a steadily growing, visible and palpable but painless lump somewhere around your neck? Go see your endocrinologist and take a scan test. Thyroid scan is available at hospital’s nuclear medicine unit. In Bahasa Indonesia it’s called ‘Kedokteran Nuklir’
How the thyroid scan is performed
You will be given a pill that contains radioactive iodine, and then you will wait as the iodine collects in the thyroid. The first scan is usually 4 - 6 hours after the iodine has been ingested, and another scan may be taken 24-hours later. Additional or substitute imaging may be performed using a compound containing technetium.
After the thyroid has absorbed the radioactive iodine, you will lie on your back on a movable table with your neck and chest positioned under the scanner. The scanner detects the location and intensity of the gamma rays emitted. During this part of the procedure, you must lie still to let the scanner get a clear image.
Next, the information is sent to a computer that displays images of the thyroid and any possible nodules that have absorbed the iodine.
How to Prepare for the Test
You must sign a consent form (Not in my case though). You may be told not to eat after midnight the night before the exam (I wasn't told so).
How the Test Will Feel
Some patients find remaining still during the test uncomfortable. (I also felt very drowsy during the test, most likely because of the awkward head resting position. Luckily, it pretty soon disappeared as I helped myself with yummylicious lunch at the hospital’s canteen)
Risks
All radiation has possible side effects. There is a very small amount of radiation in the radioisotope ingested during this test, but women who are nursing or pregnant should discuss the risks to the fetus or infant with their health care providers before taking this test.
In my case, I was allowed to keep breastfeeding my baby when I went through the neck scan, but was ordered to stay clear from her when I later went through my second test, the whole-body scan. I was also asked about my last date of period. I could not give a firm answer on my first test that my doctor ordered me a pregnancy test just to be save. I came well prepared with the date on my second test and saved my husband some money.
The concerns regarding radiation side effects are taken into consideration when the test is ordered, but the benefits of taking the test usually far outweigh the risks.
Considerations
Thyroid scans using radinuclides are used with other studies, such as blood tests and ultrasound, to evaluate the thyroid. Your doctor may send you for more than one type of test.
What ‘Normal Results’ mean
The thyroid appears the correct size, shape, and in the proper location. It appears a uniform gray on the computer.
What ‘Abnormal Results’ mean
If the thyroid is enlarged or pushed off to one side, this could indicate a tumor. Nodules will absorb more or less iodine and will appear darker or lighter on the scan (usually lighter if tumor). If part of the thyroid appears lighter, it may indicate there is possible thyroid dysfunction.
Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:
Anaplastic carcinoma of the thyroid, Colloid nodular goiter, Goiter, Medullary carcinoma of thyroid, Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) II, Papillary carcinoma of the thyroid, Toxic nodular goiter
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2 comments:
wow,thanks for sharing your story.
=)
yap,every body have their own story and how they face it,and u did it well..
i think you are a super wife n super mom...
proud to read your blog.. =)
Hi Anlie,
Thanks for your kind words and for stopping by. Wish you good health and much love.
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