What radiotracer is used to study the thyroid?
The radioactive iodine uptake test (RAIU) is also known as a thyroid uptake. It is a measurement of thyroid function, but does not involve imaging. Nuclear medicine uses small amounts of radioactive material called radiotracers. Doctors use nuclear medicine to diagnose, evaluate, and treat various diseases.
What is tracer in thyroid?
A thyroid scan uses a radioactive iodine tracer to examine the structure and function of the thyroid gland. This test is often done together with a radioactive iodine uptake test.
What does increased radioactive iodine uptake mean?
Higher-than-normal uptake may be due to an overactive thyroid gland. The most common cause is Graves disease. Other conditions can cause some areas of higher-than-normal uptake in the thyroid gland. These include: An enlarged thyroid gland that contains nodules producing too much thyroid hormone (toxic nodular goiter)
Can a thyroid uptake scan show cancer?
A thyroid uptake and scan is a diagnostic imaging scan that allows the radiologist to determine the function of the thyroid. This scan can determine if the patient has thyroid cancer: persistent or recurrent disease, hyperthyroidism and thyroid nodule or goiter assessment.
Why is a radioactive iodine uptake test useful for evaluating an enlarged thyroid?
A radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU) tests the function of your thyroid gland, which helps regulate your metabolism. It works by measuring how much radioactive iodine is absorbed by the thyroid gland, using a controlled amount of radioactive iodine in a specific time frame.
How is Graves disease diagnosed?
Radioactive iodine uptake. The amount of radioactive iodine taken up by the thyroid gland helps determine if Graves’ disease or another condition is the cause of the hyperthyroidism. This test may be combined with a radioactive iodine scan to show a visual image of the uptake pattern.
What is normal radioactive iodine uptake?
The normal values of thyroid uptake of radiotracer are 3 to 16% at 6 hours and 8 to 25% at 24 hours. These values may change according to laboratory standard techniques or patient dietary habits. The thyroid gland can uptake more or less than normal.
What can be mistaken for Graves disease?
Hashimoto’s disease, also known as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or lymphoid thyroiditis, is an autoimmune disorder like Graves’ disease. However, the antibodies in Hashimoto’s disease either block or destroy the thyroid gland and produce below normal amounts of thyroid hormone secretion (hypothyroidism).
What are the late symptoms of thyroid cancer?
While not everyone will have the same symptoms, here are some of the most common signs of medullary thyroid cancer:
- Neck lump. A single lump on the front of the neck is the most common symptom.
- Neck pain.
- Hoarseness.
- Coughing.
- Trouble swallowing (dysphagia).
- Shortness of breath (dyspnea).