thyroid uptake scan for diagnosis

[Brucergoldberg]

Can anyone tell me what the purpose is of a thyroid uptake scan?  What if it shows bad results?

Thank You

[blsdnsvd]

I'm a hot mess in relation to the Thyroid issue and YES I totally regret having it done. You realize how important your thyroid is when you don't have it. TRUST me when I tell you, it controls every single part of your body not just your metabolism..that's bologna!..If you have an option, keep the thyroid, even if it has little function because that pill does not replace the funtion of the thyroid at all and of course that's my opinion and as long as i'm in my body, that's the only opinion that matters. I pray that all works out for you.

@danie....I don't know your story but I will tell you this: Never give up...even when the doc's seem hopeless because they will at times. Keep keepin on until you get the answers that you need.

[Brucergoldberg]

I'm going to Houston thyroid and endocrine center this Tuesday.   Sraying at the Marriott that night because I'm driving in, look up dr. Fareed elhaj.  He seems to know what he's doing.   A friend of mine thought she just had graves and went there.  He diagnosed her with lupus and now she's fine.

[danie17075rm]

I'm done with docs.  The surgery is postponed or maybe even stopped all together.  My endo basically told me he doesn't see the need to see me before the next 6 months regardless of what my thyroid does and he definitely doesn't need to ever test the free's again, only tsh.  I'm done with him.  Since I have no other options, I don't have an endo.  I'm just gonna let what happens, happen.  The docs can't help me with ANYTHING in my body, so why bother?

[Brucergoldberg]

Blvd,  how are you doing?   Daniel what's the latest?

Blvd do you regret the tt?

[danie17075rm]

The doc told me 2 weeks without meds btw.

[blsdnsvd]

This was long before I was diagnosed and had any idea that I was gonna have to have a tt...so I wasn't on any med's....I'm sure it will not be long if at all.

[danie17075rm]

Errr it took in way too much iodine that is lol.

[danie17075rm]

I had one and was able to resume life with my son as normal.  The radiation is actually less than what is found in food I was told.  It will tell you if your thyroid is taking in too much iodine which is most likely associated with hyperthyroid.  My thyroid took in way too much thyroid.

[Brucergoldberg]

How long did you have to be off thyroid?

[blsdnsvd]

Lol....No you don't have to live in the closet, I didn't and i have two kids living with me. The radiation amount is very small compared to radiation to kill the gland. The tech wil place the pill in your mouth without it being touched. You will return 24hrs later for the scan and the results will detect if the thyroid is not functioning 100% and why.

In my case, I had a huge nodule that was "cold" in which iodine did not absorb and that's not a good thing which is one reason I had the TT.  In your case, he more than likely wants to see how well your thyroid is functioning...

[Brucergoldberg]

no, none that i know of.  But ive never had this done before and one of the endos mentioned it.   Can i be around my kids after its done, or do i need to live in my closet for a month?  bruce

[blsdnsvd]

HI Bruce...

The uptake scan is used:
To evaluate gland size, cysts, nodules, and function of the thyroid gland.
It will take two separate visits.
(1) An oral dose of radioactive iodine capsules and the initial screening-
(2) Return 24 hours later for an uptake and scan, which will take 1 hour.
If the results come back abnormal, you will then have a FNA (fine needle biopsy) to determine if there are any abnormal cells.

Do you have nodules or cysts that you know of??