First gamma imaging center in Lalitpur providing nuclear medicine services like thyroid scan, renal DTPA/DMSA scans, parathyroid scan, bone scans, etc

Thyroid Scan

Thyroid Scan in Nepal | 99mTc Scintigraphy & Uptake | NCNM

Get an accurate 99mTc-pertechnetate thyroid scan at Nepal Center of Nuclear Medicine, Kumaripati, Lalitpur. Differentiate Graves', toxic goiter & cold nodules.

Book Thyroid Scan Appointment (01-5921804 / 9851360804)

What is a 99mTc Thyroid Scan?

A non-invasive diagnostic scan using low-dose Technetium-99m Pertechnetate ($^{99\text{m}}\text{TcO}_4^-$) to assess functional thyroid anatomy, iodine trapping mechanisms, and abnormal tissue activity.

Understanding Thyroid Scan Results: Hot, Warm, and Cold Nodules

Thyroid scintigraphy nodule patterns. Source: Dr Sanu P Moideen

Why is a Thyroid Nuclear Scan Performed?

Etiology of Thyrotoxicosis: Distinguishing between Graves' disease, toxic multinodular goiter (Plummer's disease), single toxic adenoma, and thyroiditis (where radioiodine therapy would be ineffective).

Evaluating Palpable Nodules or Goiter: Functional classification of nodules found on routine physical examination or ultrasound.

Detecting Ectopic Thyroid Tissue: Locating sublingual, retrosternal, or thyroglossal duct thyroid tissue.

Pre-Therapy Planning: Providing baseline gland morphology and tracer uptake before radioiodine therapy.

How to Prepare for Your Thyroid Scan?

Crucial preparation rules to prevent false-negative or blocked uptake:

Antithyroid Medications: Consult your endocrinologist regarding pausing medications such as Carbimazole, Methimazole, or Propylthiouracil (PTU), usually 3–5 days prior.
Thyroid Hormones: Levothyroxine (T4) should generally be paused for 3–4 weeks, or Liothyronine (T3) for 2 weeks, if full physiological trapping is being measured.
Iodine-Containing Substances: Avoid iodinated CT contrast dyes (for at least 4–6 weeks prior), kelp/seaweed supplements, and iodine-based cough syrups or antiseptics.
Dietary Fasting: Not strictly required. Patients may eat a light breakfast.

What Happens on the Day of the Scan?

Step 1: Radiotracer Injection: A small, safe dose of Tc-99m pertechnetate is administered intravenously into an arm vein.

Step 2: Uptake Phase (20 minutes): Patients wait comfortably in the designated waiting area while the sodium-iodide symporter (NIS) traps the tracer in thyroid follicular cells.

Step 3: Gamma Camera Imaging (10–15 minutes): The patient lies comfortably under a low energy high-resolution and sensitivity detector to capture anterior, left anterior oblique, and right anterior oblique images.

Total Time at Facility: Approximately 45 to 60 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the difference between a Thyroid Ultrasound and a Thyroid Nuclear Scan?

A thyroid ultrasound shows physical anatomy—such as the dimensions of the gland, fluid versus solid tissue, and microcalcifications. A thyroid scan evaluates metabolic function—showing which areas are actively synthesizing hormone (hot) versus inactive areas (cold), which is essential for diagnosing the exact cause of hyperthyroidism.

Q2: Can a pregnant or breastfeeding woman undergo a 99mTc thyroid scan?

The scan is relatively contraindicated during pregnancy. For breastfeeding mothers, Technetium-99m has a brief physical half-life (6 hours); expressing and discarding breast milk for 6 to 24 hours post-injection is typically required before resuming normal breastfeeding. Please inform our staff prior to scheduling.

Q3: Is 99mTc pertechnetate safer than radioactive Iodine (I-131)?

Yes. For diagnostic imaging, Technetium-99m offers a significantly lower radiation dose, no beta-particle exposure, a much shorter half-life (6 hours vs. 8 days for I-131), and allows same-day imaging within 20 minutes instead of requiring a 24-hour return visit.

Q4: When will my thyroid scan report be ready?

At Nepal Center of Nuclear Medicine in Kumaripati, quantitative trapping evaluations and physician-reported scintigraphy films are available on the same day or within 24 hours.

Q5: How do I schedule a thyroid scan at NCNM?

Call our front desk directly at 01-5921804 or message us on WhatsApp at 9851360804. Prior booking is advised to coordinate daily radiopharmaceutical kit preparation.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse