Problems with the thyroid gland do not give rest to many. Treatment shchitovidki - the process is lengthy and quite expensive, which, fortunately, can be avoided. Regular examinations and consultations will help to monitor the condition of the thyroid gland and to detect various pathologies in a timely manner. Scintigraphy is one of the special types of examination.
Scintigraphy - examination of the thyroid gland
The normally functioning thyroid gland secretes thyroxine, the hormone responsible for metabolism in the body . To work shchitovidki requires iodine, which enters the organ with a flow of blood. It is iodine and is used for the production of thyroxine.
The above-described property of the organ is based on radioisotope scanning or thyroid scintigraphy. This procedure is necessary to assess the size and function of the gland. Unlike other organs, the thyroid gland absorbs and accumulates various substances coming from the blood, much faster.
Scintigraphy is prescribed to patients in the following cases:
- The main indication for the procedure is congenital anomalies.
- If suspicions of an improper arrangement of the body, scintigraphy is also prescribed without fail.
- To pass or take place inspection and in the event that in a thyroid gland or near it or her will be found out neoplasms.
Thyroid scintigraphy is performed using technetium or radioisotopes of iodine. The substances are injected into the body, a day after this the human body is scanned with a special gamma camera. Capsules with isotopes leave a special radiation. The data obtained during the survey are transmitted to the computer and analyzed using special programs. As a result, a virtual model of the body is created, on which the specialist can easily examine any changes.
The safety of scintigraphy of the thyroid gland should not be doubted: all the isotopes used for the procedure are very quickly eliminated from the body by natural means and do not take part in the formation of hormones. Appearing after the procedure, a blush or sudden heat does not have to scare - these are common side effects that will take place within a few hours.
Preparing for thyroid scintigraphy
Preparation for the procedure will take much time and will not require much effort. That the scintigraphy was successful, you need to fulfill a few simple conditions:
- Iodine-containing drugs can affect the result of the study. To avoid distortion of information, you need to stop taking such drugs one month before the procedure.
- Before thyroid scintigraphy, hormonal drugs and anticoagulants are also not recommended.
- The examination of the thyroid gland should be carried out not less than three weeks after computed tomography or X-ray studies.
It is not recommended to undergo scintigraphy to pregnant women and nursing mothers.
Results of thyroid scintigraphy
The study can demonstrate two different conditions: a cold and a warm zone. The cold zone indicates that the absorption of the isotope in the thyroid gland is too low. Red, on the contrary, indicates an excessively high absorption of the isotope.
In addition, thyroid scintigraphy identifies so-called nodes, which can also be hot or cold. Radioisotopes, gathered at hot sites, demonstrate uncontrolled production of hormones. In cold sites, substances do not accumulate, which allows us to conclude that there is a tumor or goiter .