Thyroid scan - Preparation Requirements

TOTAL DURATION OF STUDY:

40 minutes

SCANNING TIME:

Approximately 40 minutes per image.

PREGNANCY:

Contraindicated

BREAST FEEDING:

Stopped 24 hours

MEDICATION:

See table below. Kindly have your clinician speak directly with Nuclear Physician for full preparation.

PREVIOUS STUDIES:

Required.

BIOCHEMISTRY:

Recent TFT’s required.

DIET:

Low iodine diet. Bring a snack for duration of study.

HYDRATION:

Patient is encouraged to drink water prior and during study
Adrenocorticosteroids 1 week Bromides 1 week
Butazolidine 1 week Mercurials 1 week
Methimazole (Tapazole) 1 week Nitrates 1 week
Perchlorate 1 week Propylthiouracil 1 week
Salicylates (large doses) 1 week Sulfonamides 1 week
Thiocyanate 1 week Tri-iodothyronine (Cytomel) 2 to 3 weeks
Thyroid extract (Synthroid, Proloid) 4 weeks Iodine solution (Lugol’s or SSKI**) 4 weeks
Iodine-containing antiseptics 4weeks Kelp 4 weeks
Some cough medicines and vitamin preparations 4 weeks Intravenous contrast agents 1 to 2 months
Oil-based iodinated contrast agents 3 to 6 months Amiodarone 3 to 6 months
**saturated solution of potassium iodide.