I-123 Thyroid Scan

Thyroid Scan

Indications:

This scan is done for the evaluation of the thyroid gland.

The Procedure:

1. It will be necessary for you to report to the Nuclear Medicine Department on two different days.
2. On day one you will ingest the radioactive capsules and then you may leave.
3. On day two you have to return to the Nuclear Medicine Department to have the scan. The Technologist will let you know what time to return. Register at Outpatient Registration only on day 2.
4. The scan takes 1 hour to complete.

Inpatient and Outpatient Preparation Instructions:

1. If you are breast-feeding, pregnant, or think you are pregnant, you must inform your doctor.
2. If you are allergic to iodine we will NOT do the scan. The capsules you have to ingest contain iodine. Please inform your doctor if you are allergic to iodine.
3. It is strongly recommended that you discontinue all thyroid medication prior to this scan to achieve accurate results. However, do not discontinue any medication without checking with your doctor.
4. You must not have had any iodinate contrast (x-ray dye) material 4 weeks prior to the scan.

Note:

For your convenience we may schedule more than one test on the same day. This can be confusing because the tests may have different preparation instructions. If you are an outpatient and don’t understand the instructions please call Radiology. If you are an inpatient the nursing staff will correlate your test with the preparation.

For Your Information:

The Radiologist (x-ray doctor) will read the scan and send the results to your doctor.

Important:

There is a charge for the isotope injection that must be ordered before the scan. If it is necessary to cancel the scan, please call the Radiology department at 419-394-3335 extension 3528 as soon as possible.