Thyroid Ultrasound Screening Questions

What is a thyroid ultrasound?

An ultrasound of the thyroid utilizes reflective sound waves to produce a picture of the thyroid gland. Color flow may also be utilized to visualize blood flow to the thyroid gland.

What is the thyroid gland?

The thyroid gland is located in front of the neck just below the Adam's apple and is shaped like a butterfly, with two lobes on either side of the neck connected by a narrow band of tissue. It is one of nine endocrine glands located throughout the body that make and send hormones into the bloodstream that control metabolism.

How long does the procedure take?

A thyroid ultrasound takes approximately 20 minutes to complete.

Who will interpret my thyroid ultrasound results?

Your study will be interpreted by a Board Certified Radiologist.

Why should I have a thyroid ultrasound done?

You may want a thyroid ultrasound if you (or your doctor) detect a lump in the thyroid region or if blood tests determine your thyroid is not functioning properly. You may also want to get this screening just to be sure you have no nodules or growths on the thyroid gland.

What is a thyroid nodule?

Simply put, thyroid nodules are lumps that commonly arise within an otherwise normal thyroid gland. Often these abnormal growths of thyroid tissue are located at the edge of the thyroid gland, so they can be felt as a lump in the throat. When they are large or when they occur in very thin individuals, they can even sometimes be seen as a lump in the front of the neck.

Are all thyroid nodules cancerous?

No. Just a small percentage of thyroid nodules turn out to be cancerous.  However, nodules can also become "functioning," meaning they excrete hormones into the blood stream at abnormal levels which can drastically affect your metabolism.