Thyroid scan
Patient information leaflets
NHS Borders
Department of Nuclear Medicine
Borders General Hospital
Melrose
TD6 9BS
Telephone 01896 826432
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contact the department
"Information given on this site is not meant to take the place of a talk with your doctor or health worker."
Your appointment details:
Nuclear medicine
Nuclear medicine scans use radioactive tracers to show the structure and functions of the organs in the body.
A Gamma Camera and computer are used to produce the scans. These are then processed and images prepared from which the Radiologist prepares a report for your doctor.
Before
- it would be helpful if you could drink plenty of fluids before your scan
- you do not need to have a full bladder
- if you are pregnant or breastfeeding please telephone us as soon as possible
Thyroid (including ultrasound)
For this examination of the gland in your neck you should report to the Nuclear Medicine Department first. We may have arranged for an ultrasound scan to be carried out before the nuclear medicine scan.
After you have the ultrasound scan the radiographer will give you an injection in your arm. There will then be a delay of about 20 minutes before you have the isotope scan.
For the scan you will be lying on a trolley with the camera above you. You do not need to undress.
Examination
Time, including ultrasound scan, will be about one hour.
After
You will be asked to avoid close contact with children and pregnant women for 24 hours after the scan.
Results
The results of your scan will be sent to the doctor or consultant who requested it.