Thyroid Ultrasound - About the Exam
Mountain Medical offers thyroid ultrasound to help diagnose a lump in the thyroid or to determine the causes of a thyroid that is not functioning properly. 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. The thyroid is one of nine endocrine glands located throughout the body.
Typical uses of a thyroid ultrasound include determining if a lump in the neck is arising from the thyroid or an adjacent structure, analyze the appearance of thyroid nodules, and to see if a thyroid nodule has substantially grown over time.
What to expect during a routine thyroid ultrasound:
- Your technologist will ask you to lay flat on your back on the examination table.
- A clear, water-based gel is applied to the area of the body being studied.
- The technologist then places the transducer on the skin in various locations, sweeping over the area of interest for different angles of the site.
- A thyroid ultrasound typically takes about 10 minutes.
Learn how to prepare for a thyroid ultrasound.
Learn the benefits and risks of thyroid ultrasound.
Watch the Ultrasound - What to Expect Video.
