Thyroid I-131 scintigraphy
Thyroid gland scintigraphy is used to evaluate the size, form, position and uptake of the thyroid gland. This scan is indispensable for patients who are supposed to undergo radioactive iodine treatment later. The study makes use of radioactive iodine (I-131) isotopic tracer. The patient will have to visit our clinic twice for the scan to be performed, specific patient preparation is required.
Indications for the treatment:
- Graves-Basedow disease
- hyperthyroidism in the multinodular toxic goiter
- autonomous thyroid nodules
- large euthyroid goiter
Contraindications:
Pregnancy and breast feeding.
How should I prepare for the scan?
- stop taking thyrostatic drugs (i.e. Metizol, Propycil, Thyrozol) about 5 days before the radioiodine treatment, unless your nuclear medicine doctor advises otherwise,
- stop taking thyroid hormones (Euthyrox, Letrox, Eltroxin) about 1 month before
- top taking iodine-containing pharmaceuticals (e.g. multivitamins or eye drops containing iodine) 2 months before the scan,
- other medication can be taken as usual, provided it contains no iodine,
- avoid undergoing any examinations with iodinated contrast media 6 months before the scan,
- bring all the medical records regarding your illness with you, i.e. recent diagnostics records such as ultrasound, thyroid biopsy, thyroid blood test results (TSH, FT3, FT4),
- abstain from food for 3 h before swallowing the I-131 diagnostics capsule.
How is the scan performed?
- On the first day, the patient will visit our clinic to swallow a diagnostic capsule containing radioactive iodine. Next day, the patient will come for the thyroid imaging to be performed with the gamma camera. The scan is performed in the supine position and takes 15 to 20 minutes.
What do I need to do after the scan?
- avoid contact with children and pregnant women for 24 h,
- increase fluid intake to speed up tracer elimination,
