Radioactive Iodine Scan for Thyroid Diagnostics

A radioactive iodine scan is a three-step diagnostic process for evaluating thyroid nodules, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism or a goiter.

  • Phase 1: Patient takes a radioactive iodine capsule
  • Phase 2: Four hours later, a thyroid uptake measurement is taken, as well as images of the thyroid gland and a nuclear medicine physician examines the thyroid.
  • Phase 3: Twenty-four hours after taking the capsule, a a second uptake measurement of the thyroid gland is taken.

A diagnosis can be made based on the iodine uptake at the two time periods.

For more information from the S. Mark Taper Foundation Imaging Center, please click here.

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