Don't be afraid of a thyroid ultrasound scan! Let's learn about it simply.

It's normal to feel a little scared and nervous when a doctor tells you that you need to have a scan. Especially when it's a scan of the neck, we can feel even more worried. But the thyroid ultrasound scan we're talking about today is a very simple, painless, and risk-free test. So to answer all your questions and ease your fears, let's talk about it in detail.

Simply put, what is this thyroid ultrasound?

A thyroid ultrasound is a painless, non-invasive imaging test that allows your doctor to get a good look at your thyroid gland and the surrounding tissue in your neck. You may have heard it called a sonogram, but the most popular name for it is an ultrasound scan.

The thyroid gland is a small butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of our neck, on either side of the windpipe. It produces hormones that control many important functions in our body. So, the main and most commonly used scan to check for any changes or problems in this gland is this ultrasound.

Why would a doctor tell you to have this scan?

Most of the time, a doctor orders this scan after another test or to find out more about a certain symptom. For example, there is a change in your blood report, or the doctor feels a lump in your neck while examining you. That's when the help of this scan is needed.

Let's look at the table below to see what the main reasons are for doing this scan.

In addition, there are other situations where a doctor may refer you for this scan.

• If a thyroid tumor is accidentally discovered during a CT scan done for another reason.
• If there are abnormalities in your blood test reports (especially thyroid hormone levels).
• If you have symptoms related to thyroid disease (e.g. sudden weight gain/loss, changes in heart rate).
• If you need to re-examine a previously diagnosed thyroid tumor after some time to see if there have been any changes.

How does this ultrasound machine work?

This is a very interesting technology. What the ultrasound machine does is send high-frequency sound waves, which are inaudible to our ears, into the body. These sound waves hit the organs inside and reflect back. Just like a ball hitting a wall and bouncing back.

The sound waves that return are captured by a small device (called a transducer) in the scanner's hand and converted into an image on a computer screen. This means the doctor can see a live image or video of your thyroid gland.

The thyroid gland is very close to our skin, about an inch and a half under it. So these sound waves can easily reach the gland and provide a clear image.

Do I need to do anything special before the scan?

Not at all! This is the biggest convenience of this scan. You don't need to do any special preparation.

• You can eat and drink normally .
• You can take all your daily medications as usual .
• There is no need to fast or drink a lot of water.

But there are a few practical tips. Since the scan is done on the neck, the doctor needs to be able to easily access your neck area.

• So wear comfortable clothing that doesn't constrict your neck .
• If you are wearing jewelry like necklaces or chains , it is important that they are easy to remove. It is best to leave them at home for the day.

What exactly happens during the scan?

This whole process is very quick and easy. Let's see what happens step by step.

1. First, you will be placed face up on an examination table. You may also be placed with a small pillow under your neck so that your head is tilted back slightly.

2. Then the doctor or technician doing the scan will apply a small amount of water-based gel to your neck, where your thyroid gland is located. This gel may feel a little cold, but it won't hurt. This gel helps to create a good connection between the transducer and your skin, without any air gaps. This is how you get a clear image.

3. Next, the hand-held device (transducer) is placed over the gel-coated area and moved slowly back and forth . You will feel a little pressure at this point, but it will not hurt at all .

4. As you do so, the sound waves from the device hit the thyroid gland and bounce back, creating an image of your thyroid gland on the computer screen.

5. The doctor may move the device to different parts of your neck to take images from different angles. You may also be asked to turn away from the doctor.

6. After taking all the necessary pictures, the gel applied to the neck is wiped off and removed . That's it! You can get up and leave as usual.

The entire scan usually takes about 30 minutes , although the time may vary slightly depending on what needs to be examined.

Are there any risks or side effects to this?

The sound waves used in this are completely harmless. You can't hear or feel them. And they won't harm your body's tissues. This is not a radioactive test like an X-ray. So even a pregnant mother can safely have this scan.

The only discomfort you'll feel is the coldness of the gel on your neck. That too will go away after a while.

What does the scan report say?

The results of the report received after the scan can be categorized as 'Normal' or 'Abnormal'.

• Normal Result: This means that there is nothing abnormal in your thyroid gland and the surrounding tissues. The gland is of normal size and appears healthy.
• Abnormal Result: This means that the doctor found something unusual. But don't be alarmed when you see this word. It doesn't always mean something serious. It just means that there is something to look into further.

Some examples of unusual results:

• The presence of nodules or cysts on or around the gland.
• A condition such as inflammation around the gland, which is called thyroiditis.
• An enlarged thyroid gland (goiter).

You may see something called a TI-RADS score on your report. This is a method doctors use to classify thyroid nodules and decide what to do next. Your doctor will explain this to you.

Can an ultrasound scan accurately tell if there is cancer?

This is a question that many people have. The answer is, no. An ultrasound scan alone cannot be 100% certain whether a lump is cancerous or not.

However, it can identify suspicious features in a tumor. For example, it can look for things like irregular edges, small calcium spots, and whether the blood supply is normal or abnormal.

If a lump looks suspicious, the doctor will order a thyroid biopsy as the next step. This involves using a very fine needle to take a small sample of cells from the lump and examining them under a microscope. Only after that can we say for sure whether it is cancerous or not.

When should I see a doctor?

If you have any pain, changes, or visible swelling in your neck, don't ignore it and see a doctor. In addition, the following symptoms can also be caused by a thyroid problem.

• An abnormal heartbeat pattern (dysrhythmia) or a feeling of rapid heartbeat.
• Depression or excessive anxiety.
• Irregular menstrual cycles in women.
• Feeling hotter or colder than others.
• Sudden increase or decrease in body weight for no reason.

If you have symptoms like these, it is very important to talk to your doctor about it.

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