Thyroid Scan
Preparation:
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Patient should not take thyroid
medication 4 weeks prior to appointment,
including but not limited to Eltroxin, Synthroid,
Proloid, L-thyroxine, Levothyronine and Cytomel
(Liothyronine).
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Patient should not take
anti-thyroid medications, including but not
limited to Propylthiuracil (PTU) and Tapazole (Methimazole),
48 hours prior to exam.
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Patient should check with their
physician and/or physician's nurse about the
medications they are taking.
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Patient should not have received
x-ray I.V. contrast (IVP dye) at least 4 weeks
prior to their appointment.
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Patient should not eat 3 to 4
hours prior to taking the capsule and at least 2
hours after they have received the capsule. |
Appointment Length:
There are two appointments. The patient arrives to take
the radiotracer capsule, which should only take 15-20
minutes. The patient then returns 4 hours later for a
45-minute scan. Sometimes a 24-hour scan is required if
the thyroid gland does not adequately visualize at 4
hours.
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