Other uses: throat, vocal cords, expression, social self, centering/balance, stimulate mental clarity.Encyclopedia Entry for Thyroid :Thyroid cancer - medullary carcinoma. The cause of medullary carcinoma of the thyroid (MTC) is unknown. MTC is very rare. It can occur in children and adults. Unlike other types of thyroid cancer, MTC is less likely to be caused by radiation therapy to the neck given to treat other cancers during childhood. There are two forms of MTC: Sporadic MTC, which does not run in families. Most MTCs are sporadic. This form mainly affects older adults. Inherited MTC, which runs in families. You have an increased risk for this type of cancer if you have: A family history of MTC A family history of multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) Had prior history of pheochromocytoma , mucosal neuromas, hyperparathyroidism or pancreatic endocrine tumors Other types of thyroid cancer include: Anaplastic carcinoma of the thyroid Follicular tumor of the thyroid Papillary carcinoma of the thyroid Thyroid lymphoma.MTC often begins as a small lump (nodule) in the thyroid gland. There may also be lymph node swelling in the neck. As a result, symptoms may include: Swelling of the neck Hoarseness Breathing problems due to narrowing of airways Cough Cough with blood Diarrhea due to high calcitonin level.Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask about your symptoms and medical history. Tests that may be used to diagnose MTC include: Calcitonin blood test CEA blood test Genetic testing Thyroid biopsy Ultrasound of the thyroid PET scan People with MTC should be checked for certain other tumors, especially pheochromocytoma.Treatment involves surgery to remove the thyroid gland and surrounding lymph nodes. Because this is an uncommon tumor, surgery should be performed by a surgeon who is familiar with this type of cancer and experienced with the operation required. Chemotherapy and radiation do not work very well for this type of cancer. Radiation is used in some people after surgery. New treatments are being investigated in clinical trials. Your provider can tell you more about these, if needed.You can ease the stress of illness by joining a cancer support group. Sharing with others who have common experiences and problems can help you not feel alone.People with medullary carcinoma of the thyroid live at least 5 years after diagnosis, depending upon the stage of the cancer. Women have better prognosis than men. The 10 year survival rate is 75%.Complications may include: Cancer spreads to other areas of the body Parathyroid glands are accidentally removed during surgery.Call your provider if you have symptoms of medullary carcinoma of the thyroid.Prevention may not be possible. But, being aware of your risk factors, especially your family history, may allow for early diagnosis and treatment. For people who have a very strong family history of MTC, the option to remove the thyroid gland may be recommended. You should carefully discuss this option with a doctor who is very familiar with the disease.Thyroid - medullary carcinoma; Cancer - thyroid (medullary carcinoma); MTC; Thyroid nodule - medullary.Thyroid cancer - CT scan Thyroid cancer - CT scan Thyroid gland Thyroid gland.National Cancer Institute website. Thyroid cancer treatment (adult) (PDQ) - health professional version. www.cancer.gov/types/thyroid/hp/thyroid-treatment-pdq. Updated February 1, 2018. Accessed March 22, 2018. Smith PW, Hanks LR, Salomone LJ, Hanks JB. Thyroid.Encyclopedia Entry for Thyroid :Thyroid cancer - papillary carcinoma. About 85% of all thyroid cancers diagnosed in the United States are the papillary carcinoma type. It is more common in women than in men. It may occur in childhood, but is most often seen in adults between ages 20 and 60. The cause of this cancer is unknown. A genetic defect or family history of the disease may also be a risk factor. Radiation increases the risk of developing thyroid cancer. Exposure may occur from: High-dose external radiation treatments to the neck, especially during childhood, used to treat childhood cancer or some noncancerous childhood conditions Radiation exposure from nuclear plant disasters Radiation given through a vein (through an IV) during medical tests and treatments does not increase the risk of developing thyroid cancer.Thyroid cancer often begins as a small lump (nodule) in the thyroid gland. While some small lumps may be cancer, most (90%) thyroid nodules are harmless and are not cancerous. Most of the time, there are no other symptoms.If you have a lump on your thyroid, your health care provider will order blood tests and possibly an ultrasound of the thyroid gland. If the ultrasound shows that the lump is less than 1 centimeter, a special procedure called a fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) may be performed. This test helps determine if the lump is cancerous. CT scan of the neck may also be done to determine the size of the tumor. Thyroid function tests are often normal in people with thyroid cancer.There are three types of thyroid cancer treatment: Surgery Radioactive iodine Medicine Surgery is done to remove as much of the cancer as possible. The bigger the lump, the more of the thyroid gland must be removed. Often, the entire gland is taken out. After the surgery, you may receive radioiodine therapy, which is often taken by mouth. This substance kills any remaining thyroid tissue. It also helps make medical images clearer, so doctors can see if there is any cancer left behind or if it comes back later. If surgery is not an option, external radiation therapy can be useful. After surgery or radioiodine therapy, you will need to take medicine called levothyroxine for the rest of your life. This replaces the hormone the thyroid would normally make. Your provider will likely have you take a blood test every several months to check thyroid hormone levels. Other follow-up tests that may be done after treatment for thyroid cancer include: Ultrasound of the thyroid An imaging test called a radioactive iodine (I-131) uptake scan Repeat FNAB.You can ease the stress of illness by joining a cancer support group. Sharing with others who have common experiences and problems can help you not feel alone.The survival rate for papillary thyroid cancer is excellent. More than 90% of adults with this cancer survive at least 10 to 20 years. The prognosis is better for people who are younger than 40 and for those with smaller tumors. The following factors may decrease the survival rate: Older than 55 Cancer that has spread to distant parts of the body Cancer that has spread to soft tissue Large tumor.Complications include: Accidental removal of the parathyroid gland, which helps regulate blood calcium levels Damage to a nerve that controls the vocal cords Spreading of cancer to lymph nodes (rare) Spreading of cancer to other sites ( metastasis ).Call your provider if you have a lump in your neck.Papillary carcinoma of the thyroid.Endocrine glands Endocrine glands Thyroid cancer - CT scan Thyroid cancer - CT scan Thyroid cancer - CT scan Thyroid cancer - CT scan Thyroid enlargement - scintiscan Thyroid enlargement - scintiscan Thyroid gland Thyroid gland.Kwon D, Lee S. Invasive thyroid cancer.Encyclopedia Entry for Thyroid :Thyroid cancer. Thyroid cancer can occur in people of any age. Radiation increases the risk of developing thyroid cancer. Exposure may occur from: Radiation therapy to the neck (especially in childhood) Radiation exposure from nuclear plant disasters Other risk factors are a family history of thyroid cancer and chronic goiter (enlarged thyroid). There are several types of thyroid cancer: Anaplastic carcinoma (also called giant and spindle cell cancer) is the most dangerous form of thyroid cancer. It is rare, and spreads quickly. Follicular tumor is more likely to come back and spread. Medullary carcinoma is a cancer of non-thyroid cells that are normally present in the thyroid gland. This form of thyroid cancer tends to occur in families. Papillary carcinoma is the most common type, and it usually affects women of childbearing age. It spreads slowly and is the least dangerous type of thyroid cancer.Symptoms vary depending on the type of thyroid cancer, but may include: Cough Difficulty swallowing Enlargement of the thyroid gland Hoarseness or changing voice Neck swelling Thyroid lump (nodule).Your health care provider will perform a physical exam. This may reveal a lump in the thyroid, or swollen lymph nodes in the neck. The following tests may be done: Calcitonin blood test to check for medullary thyroid cancer Laryngoscopy (looking inside the throat using a mirror or flexible tube called a laryngoscope placed through the mouth) Thyroid biopsy Thyroid scan TSH , free T4 (blood tests for thyroid function) Ultrasound of the thyroid CT scan of the neck (to determine the extent of the cancerous mass) PET scan.Treatment depends on the type of thyroid cancer. Treatment of most thyroid cancer types is effective if diagnosed early. Surgery is most often done. The entire thyroid gland is usually removed. If your provider suspects that the cancer has spread to lymph nodes in the neck, these will also be removed. Radiation therapy may be done with or without surgery. It may be performed by: Aiming external beam (x-ray) radiation at the thyroid Taking radioactive iodine by mouth After treatment for thyroid cancer, you must take thyroid hormone pills for the rest of your life. The dosage is usually slightly higher than what your body needs. This helps keep the cancer from coming back. The pills also replace the thyroid hormone your body needs to function normally. If the cancer does not respond to surgery or radiation, and has spread to other parts of the body, chemotherapy or targeted therapy may be used. These are only effective for a small number of people.You can ease the stress of illness by joining a cancer support group. Sharing with others who have common experiences and problems can help you not feel alone.Complications of thyroid cancer may include: Injury to the voice box and hoarseness after thyroid surgery Low calcium level from accidental removal of the parathyroid glands during surgery Spread of the cancer to the lungs, bones, or other parts of the body.Call your provider if you notice a lump in your neck.There is no known prevention. Awareness of risk (such as previous radiation therapy to the neck) can allow earlier diagnosis and treatment. Sometimes, people with family histories and genetic mutations related to thyroid cancer will have their thyroid gland removed to prevent cancer.Tumor - thyroid; Cancer - thyroid; Nodule - thyroid cancer; Papillary thyroid carcinoma; Medullary thyroid carcinoma; Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma; Follicular thyroid cancer.Thyroid gland removal - discharge.Endocrine glands Endocrine glands Thyroid cancer - CT scan Thyroid cancer - CT scan Thyroid cancer - CT scan Thyroid cancer - CT scan Incision for thyroid gland surgery Incision for thyroid gland surgery Thyroid gland Thyroid gland.Kim M, Ladenson PW. Thyroid.Encyclopedia Entry for Thyroid :Thyroid function tests. Thyroid function test Thyroid function test.Guber HA, Farag AF. Evaluation of endocrine function.Encyclopedia Entry for Thyroid :Thyroid gland removal - discharge. Depending on the reason for the surgery, either all or part of your thyroid was removed. You probably spent 1 to 3 days in the hospital.You may have a drain with a bulb coming from your incision. This drain removes any blood or other fluids that might build up in this area. You may have some pain and soreness in your neck at first, especially when you swallow. Your voice may be a little hoarse for the first week. You will probably be able to start your everyday activities in just a few weeks. If you had thyroid cancer, you may need to have radioactive iodine treatment soon. Get plenty of rest when you get home. Keep your head raised while you are sleeping for the first week.Your surgeon may have prescribed a narcotic pain medicine. Or, you may take over-the-counter pain medicine, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). Take your pain medicines as instructed. You may put a cold compress on your surgical cut for 15 minutes at a time to ease pain and swelling. DO NOT put the ice directly on your skin. Wrap the compress or ice in a towel to prevent cold injury to the skin. Keep the area dry.Follow instructions on how to care for your incision. If the incision was covered with skin glue or surgical tape strips, you may shower with soap the day after surgery. Pat the area dry. The tape will fall off after a few weeks. If your incision was closed with stitches, ask your surgeon when you can shower. If you have a drainage bulb, empty it 2 times a day. Keep track of the amount of fluid you empty each time. Your surgeon will tell you when it is time to remove the drain. Change your wound dressing the way your nurse showed you.You can eat whatever you like after surgery. Try to eat healthy foods. You may find it hard to swallow at first. If so, it may be easier to drink liquids and eat soft foods such as pudding, Jello, mashed potatoes, apple sauce, or yogurt. Pain medicines can cause constipation. Eating high-fiber foods and drinking plenty of fluids will help make your stools softer. If this does not help, try using a fiber product. You can buy this at a drug store.Give yourself time to heal. DO NOT do any strenuous activities, such as heavy lifting, jogging, or swimming for the first few weeks. Slowly start your normal activities when you feel ready. DO NOT drive if you are taking narcotic pain medicines. Cover your incision with clothing or very strong sunscreen when you are in the sun for the first year after surgery. This will make your scar show less.You may need to take thyroid hormone medicine for the rest of your life to replace your natural thyroid hormone. You may not need hormone replacement if only part of your thyroid was removed. See your doctor for regular blood tests and to go over your symptoms. Your doctor will change the dosage of your hormone medicine based on your blood tests and symptoms. You may not start thyroid hormone replacement right away, especially if you had thyroid cancer.You will probably see your surgeon in about 2 weeks after surgery. If you have stitches or a drain, your surgeon will remove them. You may need long-term care from an endocrinologist. This is a doctor who treats problems with glands and hormones.Call your surgeon or nurse if you have: Increased soreness or pain around your incision Redness or swelling of your incision Bleeding from your incision Fever of 100.5 F (38 C), or higher Chest pain or discomfort A weak voice Difficulty eating A lot of coughing Numbness or tingling in your face or lips.Total thyroidectomy - discharge; Partial thyroidectomy - discharge; Thyroidectomy - discharge; Subtotal thyroidectomy - discharge.Lai SY, Mandel SJ, Weber RS. Management of thyroid neoplasms.Encyclopedia Entry for Thyroid :Thyroid gland removal. Depending on the reason you are having your thyroid gland removed, the type of thyroidectomy you have will be either a: Total thyroidectomy, which removes the entire gland Subtotal or partial thyroidectomy, which removes part of the thyroid gland You will have general anesthesia (asleep and pain-free) for this surgery. In rare cases, the surgery is done with local anesthesia and medicine to relax you. You will be awake, but pain-free. During the surgery: The surgeon makes a horizontal cut in the front of your lower neck just above the collar bones. All or part of the gland is removed through the cut. The surgeon is careful not to damage the blood vessels and nerves in your neck. A small tube (catheter) may be placed into the area to help drain blood and other fluids that build up. The drain will be removed in 1 or 2 days. The cuts are closed with sutures (stitches). Surgery to remove your whole thyroid may take up to 4 hours. It may take less time if only part of the thyroid is removed.Your doctor may recommend thyroid removal if you have any of the following: A small thyroid growth ( nodule or cyst) A thyroid gland that is so overactive it is dangerous ( thyrotoxicosis ) Cancer of the thyroid Noncancerous (benign) tumors of the thyroid that are causing symptoms Thyroid swelling ( nontoxic goiter ) that makes it hard for you to breathe or swallow You may also have surgery if you have an overactive thyroid gland and do not want to have radioactive iodine treatment, or you cannot be treated with antithyroid medicines.Risks of anesthesia and surgery in general include: Reactions to medicines, breathing problems Bleeding , blood clots, infection Risks of thyroidectomy include: Injury to the nerves in your vocal cords and larynx. Bleeding and possible airway obstruction. A sharp rise in thyroid hormone levels (only around the time of surgery). Injury to the parathyroid glands (small glands near the thyroid) or to their blood supply. This can cause a temporary low level of calcium in your blood ( hypocalcemia ). Too much thyroid hormone (thyroid storm). If you have an overactive thyroid gland, you will be treated with medicine.During the weeks before your surgery: You may need to have tests that show exactly where the abnormal thyroid growth is located. This will help the surgeon find the growth during surgery. You may have a CT scan , ultrasound , or other imaging tests. Your doctor may also do a fine needle aspiration to find out if the growth is noncancerous or cancerous. Before surgery, your vocal cord function may be checked. You may also need thyroid medicine or iodine treatments 1 to 2 weeks before your surgery. Several days to a week before surgery: You may be asked to temporarily stop taking blood thinning medicines. These include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil), naproxen (Aleve), clopidogrel (Plavix), warfarin (Coumadin), among others. Fill any prescriptions for pain medicine and calcium you will need after surgery. Tell your health care provider about all the medicines you take, even those bought without a prescription. This includes herbs and supplements. Ask your provider which medicines you should still take on the day of surgery. If you smoke, try to stop. Ask your provider for help. On the day of surgery: Follow instructions about when to stop eating and drinking. Take any medicines that your provider told you to take with a small sip of water. Be sure to arrive at the hospital on time.You will probably go home the day of or the day after surgery. In rare cases, you may need to spend up to 3 days in the hospital. You must be able to swallow liquids before you can go home. Your provider may check the calcium level in your blood after surgery. This is done more often when the whole thyroid gland is removed. You may have some pain after surgery. Ask your provider for instructions on how to take pain medicines after you go home. It should take about 3 to 4 weeks for you to fully recover. Follow any instructions for taking care of yourself after you go home.Outcome of this surgery is usually excellent. Most people need to take thyroid hormone pills (thyroid hormone replacement) for the rest of their lives when the whole gland is removed.Total thyroidectomy; Partial thyroidectomy; Thyroidectomy; Subtotal thyroidectomy; Thyroid cancer - thyroidectomy; Papillary cancer - thyroidectomy; Goiter - thyroidectomy; Thyroid nodules - thyroidectomy.Surgical wound care - open Thyroid gland removal - discharge.Child thyroid anatomy Child thyroid anatomy Thyroidectomy - Series Thyroidectomy - series Incision for thyroid gland surgery Incision for thyroid gland surgery.Kaplan EL, Angelos P, James BC, Nagar S, Grogan RH. Surgery of the thyroid.Encyclopedia Entry for Thyroid :Thyroid nodule. Thyroid nodules are growths of cells in the thyroid gland. These growths can be: Not cancer (benign) or thyroid cancer (malignant) Fluid-filled (cysts) One nodule or a group of small nodules Producing thyroid hormones (hot nodule) or not making thyroid hormones (cold nodule) Thyroid nodules are more common in women than in men. A person's chance of getting a thyroid nodule increases with age. Only a few thyroid nodules are due to thyroid cancer. A thyroid nodule is more likely to be cancer if you: Have a hard nodule Have a nodule that is stuck to nearby structures Have a family history of thyroid cancer Have noticed a change in your voice Are younger than 20 or older than 70 Have a history of radiation exposure to the head or neck Are male Causes of thyroid nodules are not always found, but can include: Hashimoto's disease Lack of iodine in the diet.Most thyroid nodules do not cause symptoms. Large nodules can press against other structures in the neck. This can cause symptoms such as: A visible goiter (enlarged thyroid gland) Hoarseness or changing voice Pain in the neck Problems breathing , especially when lying down flat Problems swallowing food Nodules that produce thyroid hormones will likely cause symptoms of overactive thyroid gland , including: Warm, sweaty skin Fast pulse Increased appetite Nervousness Restlessness Skin blushing or flushing Weight loss Irregular menstrual periods Older people with a nodule that produces too much thyroid hormone may have only vague symptoms, including: Fatigue Palpitations Chest pain Memory loss Thyroid nodules are sometimes found in people who have Hashimoto's disease. This may cause symptoms of an underactive thyroid gland, such as: Dry skin Face swelling Fatigue Hair loss Feeling cold when other people do not Weight gain Irregular menstrual periods Very often, nodules produce no symptoms. Health care providers find thyroid nodules only during a routine physical exam or imaging tests that are done for another reason. A few people have thyroid nodules that are big enough that they notice the nodule on their own, and ask a provider to examine their neck.If a provider finds a nodule or you have symptoms of a nodule, the following tests may be done: TSH level and other thyroid blood tests Thyroid ultrasound Thyroid scan (nuclear medicine) Fine needle aspiration biopsy of the nodule or of multiple nodules.Your provider may recommend surgery to remove all or part of your thyroid gland if the nodule is: Due to thyroid cancer Causing symptoms such as swallowing or breathing problems If the fine needle biopsy is inconclusive, and your provider can't tell whether the nodule is a cancer Making too much thyroid hormone People with nodules that are making too much thyroid hormone may be treated with radioiodine therapy. This reduces the size and activity of the nodule. Pregnant women are not given this treatment. Both surgery to remove thyroid gland tissue and radioactive iodine treatment can cause lifelong hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). This condition needs to be treated with thyroid hormone replacement. For noncancerous nodules that do not cause symptoms and are not growing, the best treatment may be: Careful follow-up with a physical exam and ultrasound A thyroid biopsy repeated 6 to 12 months after diagnosis, especially if the nodule has grown Another possible treatment is an ethanol (alcohol) injection into the nodule to shrink it.Noncancerous thyroid nodules are not life-threatening. Many do not require treatment. Follow-up exams are enough. The outlook for thyroid cancer depends on the type of cancer. For most common kinds of thyroid cancer, the outlook is very good after treatment.Call your health care provider if you feel or see a lump in your neck, or if you have any symptoms of a thyroid nodule. If you have been exposed to radiation in the face or neck area, call your provider. A neck ultrasound can be done to look for thyroid nodules.Thyroid tumor - nodule; Thyroid adenoma - nodule; Thyroid carcinoma - nodule; Thyroid cancer - nodule; Thyroid incidentaloma; Hot nodule; Cold nodule; Thyrotoxicosis - nodule; Hyperthyroidism - nodule.Thyroid gland removal - discharge.Thyroid gland biopsy Thyroid gland biopsy.Gharib H, Papini E, Paschke R, et al. American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, Associazione Medici Endocrinologi, and European Thyroid Association Medical Guidelines for Clinical Practice for the Diagnosis and Management of Thyroid Nodules. Endocr Pract. 2010;16(suppl 1):1-43. Kim M, Ladenson P. Thyroid.Encyclopedia Entry for Thyroid :Thyroid preparation overdose. These ingredients in thyroid medicines can be poisonous if a person takes too much of the medicine: Levothyroxine Liothyronine Liotrix Other thyroid medicine Other thyroid preparations may also contain harmful ingredients.The poisonous ingredients may be found in these medicines with these brand names: Levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levothroid) Liothyronine (Cytomel) Liotrix (Thyrolar, Euthyroid) Other thyroid medicine.Symptoms of poisoning with this type of medicine include: Changes in menstrual pattern Chest pain Confusion Convulsions , tremors Dilated pupils Diarrhea Excessive sweating , skin flushing Fever Headache High blood pressure Irritability, nervousness Irregular heartbeat Muscle weakness Nausea and vomiting Rapid heartbeat Shock.Seek medical help right away. DO NOT make a person throw up unless poison control or a health care provider tells you to do so.Have this information ready: Person's age, weight, and condition The name of the product (ingredients and strength, if known) The time it was swallowed The amount swallowed If the medicine was prescribed for the person.Your local poison center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions. This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible. The provider will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated. The person may receive: Activated charcoal Blood and urine tests Breathing support, including oxygen Chest x-ray ECG (electrocardiogram, or heart tracing) Intravenous (IV) fluids through a vein Laxative Tube through the mouth into the stomach to empty the stomach ( gastric lavage ) Medicines to treat (counteract) the effects of the thyroid preparation overdose.People who receive quick treatment make a good recovery. But, heart-related complications may lead to death. Symptoms may not appear until a week after the overdose. They may be treated successfully with several medicines.Aronson JK. Thyroid hormones.Encyclopedia Entry for Thyroid :Thyroid scan. The test is done in this way: You are given a pill that contains a tiny amount of radioactive iodine. After swallowing it, you wait as the iodine collects in your thyroid. The first scan is usually done 4 to 6 hours after you take the iodine pill. Another scan is usually done 24 hours later. During the scan, you lie on your back on a movable table. Your neck and chest are positioned under the scanner. You must lie still so that the scanner gets a clear image. The scanner detects the location and intensity of the rays given off by the radioactive material. A computer displays images of the thyroid gland. Other scans use a substance called technetium instead of radioactive iodine.Follow instructions about not eating before the test. You may be told not to eat after the midnight before your scan. Tell your health care provider if you are taking anything that contains iodine because it may affect your test results. This includes some medicines, including thyroid drugs. Supplements such as kelp also contain iodine. Also tell your provider if you have: Diarrhea (may decrease absorption of the radioactive iodine) Had recent CT scans using intravenous or oral iodine-based contrast (within the past 2 weeks) Too little or too much iodine in your diet Remove jewelry, dentures, or other metals because they may interfere with the image.Some people find it uncomfortable to stay still during the test.This test is done to: Evaluate thyroid nodules or goiter Find the cause of an overactive thyroid gland Check for thyroid cancer (rarely, since other tests are more accurate for this).Normal test results will show that the thyroid appears to be the correct size, shape, and in the proper location. It is an even gray color on the computer image without darker or lighter areas.A thyroid that is enlarged or pushed off to one side could be a sign of a tumor. Nodules absorb more or less iodine and this will make them look darker or lighter on the scan. A nodule is usually lighter if it has not taken up the iodine. If part of the thyroid appears lighter, it could be a thyroid problem. Nodules that are darker have taken up more iodine. They can be overactive and may be the cause of an overactive thyroid. The computer will also show the percentage of iodine that has collected in your thyroid gland (radioiodine uptake). If your gland collects too much iodine, it may be due to an overactive thyroid. If your gland collects too little iodine, it may be due to an inflammation or other damage to the thyroid.All radiation has possible side effects. The amount of radioactivity is very small, and there have been no documented side effects. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not have this test. Talk to your provider if you have concerns about this test.The radioactive iodine leaves your body through your urine. You should not need to take special precautions, such as flushing twice after urinating, for 24 to 48 hours after the test because the dose of radioactive iodine is very low. Ask your provider or the radiology/nuclear medicine team performing the scan about taking precautions.Scan - thyroid; Radioactive iodine uptake and scan test - thyroid; Nuclear scan - thyroid; Thyroid nodule - scan; Goiter - scan; Hyperthyroidism - scan.Thyroid enlargement - scintiscan Thyroid enlargement - scintiscan Thyroid gland Thyroid gland.Blum M. Thyroid imaging.Encyclopedia Entry for Thyroid :Thyroid storm. Thyroid storm occurs due to a major stress such as trauma, heart attack , or infection in people with uncontrolled hyperthyroidism. In rare cases, thyroid storm can be caused by treatment of hyperthyroidism with radioactive iodine therapy for Graves disease. This can occur even a week or more after the radioactive iodine treatment.Symptoms are severe and may include any of the following: Agitation Change in alertness (consciousness) Confusion Diarrhea Increased temperature Pounding heart ( tachycardia ) Restlessness Shaking Sweating.The health care provider may suspect thyrotoxic storm based on: A high systolic (top number) blood pressure reading with a lower diastolic (bottom number) blood pressure reading may be low An increased heart rate Blood tests are done to check thyroid hormones TSH , free T4 and T3. Other blood tests are done to check heart and kidney functions and to check for infection.Thyroid storm is life-threatening and requires emergency treatment. Often, the person needs to be admitted to the intensive care unit. Treatment includes supportive measures, such as giving oxygen and fluids in case of difficult breathing or dehydration. Treatment may include any of the following: Cooling blankets to return the body temperature to normal Monitoring any excess fluid in older people with heart or kidney disease Medicines to manage agitation Vitamins and glucose The final goal of treatment is to decrease the levels of thyroid hormones in the blood. Sometimes, iodine is given in high doses to try and stun the thyroid. Other drugs may be given to lower the hormone level in the blood. Beta blocker medicines are often given by vein (IV) to slow the heart rate, lower blood pressure, and block the effects of the thyroid hormone excess. Antibiotics are given in case of infection.Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) may occur. Heart failure and pulmonary edema can develop rapidly and cause death.This is an emergency condition. Call 911 or another emergency number if you have hyperthyroidism and experience symptoms of thyroid storm.To prevent thyroid storm, hyperthyroidism should be treated.Thyrotoxic storm; Thyrotoxic crisis; Hyperthyroid storm; Accelerated hyperthyroidism; Thyroid crisis; Thyrotoxicosis - thyroid storm.Thyroid gland Thyroid gland.Marino M, Vitti P, Chiovato L. Graves' disease.Encyclopedia Entry for Thyroid :Thyroid ultrasound. Ultrasound is a painless method that uses sound waves to create images of the inside of the body. The test is often done in the ultrasound or radiology department. It also can be done in a clinic. The test is done in this way: You lie down with your neck on a pillow or other soft support. Your neck is stretched slightly. The ultrasound technician applies a water-based gel on your neck to help transmit the sound waves. Next, the technician moves a wand, called a transducer, back and forth on the skin of your neck. The transducer gives off sound waves. The sound waves go through your body and bounce off the area being studied (in this case, the thyroid gland). A computer looks at the pattern that the sound waves create when bouncing back, and creates an image from them.No special preparation is necessary for this test.You should feel very little discomfort with this test. The gel may be cold.A thyroid ultrasound is usually done when physical exam shows any of these findings: You have a growth on your thyroid gland, called a thyroid nodule. The thyroid feels big or irregular, called a goiter. You have abnormal lymph nodes near your thyroid. Ultrasound is also often used to guide the needle in biopsies of: Thyroid nodules or the thyroid gland -- In this test, a needle draws out a small amount of tissue from the nodule or thyroid gland. This is a test to diagnose thyroid disease or thyroid cancer. The parathyroid gland. Lymph nodes in the area of the thyroid.A normal result will show that the thyroid has a normal size, shape, and position.Abnormal results may be due to: Cysts (nodules filled with fluid) Enlargement of the thyroid gland ( goiter ) Thyroid nodules Thyroiditis, or inflammation of the thyroid (if a biopsy is done) Thyroid cancer (if a biopsy is done) Your health care provider can use these results and the results of other tests to direct your care.There are no documented risks for ultrasound.Ultrasound - thyroid; Thyroid sonogram; Thyroid echogram; Thyroid nodule - ultrasound; Goiter - ultrasound.Thyroid ultrasound Thyroid ultrasound Thyroid gland Thyroid gland.Blum M. Thyroid imaging.