Thyroid imaging | Right Decisions

Right Decisions
SPEG (Scottish Paediatric Endocrine Group)
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Management of congenital hypothyroidism
Thyroid imaging

Please update your RDS mobile app to version 4.7.1

We are pleased to advise that deep linking capability, enabling users to directly download individual mobile toolkits, has now been released on the RDS mobile app. When you install the update, you will see that each toolkit has a small QR code icon the header area beside the search icon – see screenshot below. Clicking on this icon will open up a window with a full-size QR code and the alternative of a short URL for sharing with users. Instructions are provided.

You may need to actively install the update to install RDS app version 4.7.1 to see this improvement. Installing this update is also strongly recommended to get the full benefits of the new contingency arrangements – specifically, that if the RDS website should fail, you will still be able to download new mobile app toolkits.

To check your current RDS version, click on the three dots bottom right of the RDS app screen. This takes you to a “More” page where you will see the version number. To install latest updates:

On iPhones – go to the Apple store, click on your profile icon top right, scroll down to see the apps waiting to be updated and update the RDS app.

On Android phones – these can vary, but try going to the Google Play store, click on your profile icon top right, click on “Manage apps and device”, select and update the RDS app.

Please get in touch with ann.wales3@nhs.scot with any questions.

ESPE consensus statement (1) on congenital hypothyroidism recommends thyroid imaging for all babies with suspected congenital hypothyroidism because:

It is more informative than blood tests alone.
It will aid in guiding options for genetic counselling.
With the results, it is possible to determine the likelihood of lifelong treatment if permanent congenital hypothyroidism is proven.
It provides a useful additional guide as to thyroxine dose (agenesis is likely to require larger doses).

Isotope scans should be performed by day 5 of the start treatment (5) to ensure the avoidance of false negatives, due to TSH suppression (it is advisable to check thyroid function on the day of scans to confirm the reliability of results).

Currently, if imaging is to be performed, the Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow is currently the only site that is able to perform these scans. If scanning is to be considered, there should be early discussion with a paediatric endocrinologist.

Imaging should never be allowed to delay the initiation of treatment.