On what day of the cycle do an ultrasound of the thyroid gland? What does a thyroid ultrasound show What does a thyroid ultrasound show
![On what day of the cycle do an ultrasound of the thyroid gland? What does a thyroid ultrasound show What does a thyroid ultrasound show](https://i0.wp.com/uziprosto.ru/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/%D0%9E%D0%B1%D1%81%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%B4%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B5-4-1024x654.jpg)
Ultrasound of the thyroid gland is a way to diagnose changes in its shape and structure, which allows you to accurately identify diseases of this organ. The thyroid gland is an unpaired organ, weighing 10-30 g, shaped like a butterfly. But this comparison in no way reflects the importance that the thyroid gland has for our body. Rather, it is a reliable shield that guards human health.
The thyroid gland regulates the work of all organs that are in the body below it. She herself is located just above the collarbone. In total, a person has nine endocrine glands, the thyroid gland is one of them. It produces hormones that regulate the most important functions of the body: breathing, movement, digestion, sleep, heart rate, regulates metabolic processes in the body, and therefore affects body weight.
Very often, nodules and heterogeneous areas develop in the tissues of the thyroid gland, as well as on its surface, which are not always felt on the surface of the skin. Among adult men and women, from 5 to 10% have such formations. They are called non-palpable nodules. In some age groups, nodes are observed in 70% of cases. The vast majority of them are benign formations that do not pose a health hazard. But some neoplasms are still tumors, and they may require further diagnosis and treatment.
It is extremely important to properly prepare for an ultrasound examination in order to obtain accurate data and make a correct diagnosis.
How is the preparation for an ultrasound of the thyroid gland?
Special preparation for ultrasound of the thyroid gland, as a rule, is not required. Wear comfortable clothing (any with a cutout is fine) so that you have free access to the décolleté. For children and elderly patients, it is recommended not to eat on the day of the ultrasound of the thyroid gland and to carry out the procedure on an empty stomach so as not to cause vomiting when pressing the probe. Be sure to bring a towel with you to remove the gel from the surface of the neck.
If the study is taking place in a small child, the mother needs to prepare in advance, as she will distract him so that he does not cry. For example, take a book with you and read to your child.
For women, an ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland is performed on any day of the cycle. But some doctors believe that 7-9 days after the end of menstruation is most suitable. If necessary, the doctor will clarify with the woman the necessary information regarding the cycle.
Before the examination, the endocrinologist may prescribe a blood test for the content of thyroid hormones, which will allow a more accurate diagnosis. The patient needs to prepare in advance for the study and take with him the form of the previous ultrasound, if it was carried out.
How is a thyroid ultrasound performed?
Basically, during an ultrasound of the thyroid gland, the patient is placed on a medical couch lying on his back. For convenience, the doctor can turn it to either side or ask you to lie on your stomach to improve image quality.
A roller measuring 20-25 cm and a height of 5-7 cm is placed under the head to expand the area for scanning the thyroid gland during ultrasound. This will allow you to tilt your head back and expose your throat, which is especially important for young children who have very little space between their chin and chest. Some people find this position uncomfortable, but it won't cause any pain.
Ultrasound should not cause you anxiety, because it is safe and atraumatic. Before it is performed, the patient will be asked to remove necklaces and other accessories that interfere with access to the neck area. It will be necessary to undress to the waist for the convenience of the study.
When the patient is on the couch, the ultrasound specialist applies a special water-based gel to the neck area. This gel will help the ultrasonic transducer make better contact with the skin and eliminate possible air pockets between the transducer and the skin blocking the sound waves. The sensor is placed on the neck and moved back and forth along the area under study until the doctor receives the information he needs. Patients do not experience any discomfort when the transducer is moved around the neck. When scanning particularly sensitive areas, you may feel a slight soreness from the pressure of the transducer.
After the doctor has collected the necessary information and the ultrasound is completed, he will remove the remnants of the transparent gel from the neck. The water-based ultrasonic gel won't ruin your clothes, so don't worry if some of it remains on your body. Ultrasound of the thyroid gland often lasts 30 minutes, and is easily tolerated by most patients due to its painlessness. According to the results of the ultrasound, the doctor draws up a study form. This one contains all the standard information regarding the course of the procedure and the state of the thyroid gland.
Why is a thyroid ultrasound performed?
Palpation of the thyroid gland
- if during palpation the doctor reveals its increase;
- if blood biochemistry reveals a violation of the concentration of thyroid hormones;
- after thyroid surgery;
- if you suspect the presence of neoplasms in it;
- with compaction of the cervical lymph nodes.
To do an ultrasound of the thyroid gland is necessary:
- To determine whether a tumor in the neck is a neoplasm of the thyroid gland or an adjacent structure.
- To analyze the appearance of thyroid nodules and determine if they are benign or if they require a separate biopsy check.
- If any growths have been found, an ultrasound is done to see if they are still around.
- To see changes in the size of a thyroid nodule over a period of time.
Since ultrasound allows you to see the organ in real time, it becomes a reliable assistant in performing a puncture biopsy, when cell samples are removed from the pathological zone using a special needle for examination in the laboratory. Ultrasound is also used when inserting a catheter or other drainage device, which ensures safe and accurate placement of the drain and eases patient discomfort.
What does an ultrasound show?
Ultrasound of the thyroid gland provides the endocrinologist with a large amount of important information about the state of the thyroid gland. Based on its results, it can be clarified, for example, whether the detected increase in the gland is a diffuse goiter.
Ultrasound picture of the thyroid gland
In the presence of nodes in the thyroid gland, the study can detect:
- whether the neoplasms are fluid-filled or solid;
- the number of nodules, their location;
- echogenicity of nodular formations;
- node structure (homogeneous, heterogeneous)
- whether neoplasms have clear boundaries;
- whether there is blood flow to the neoplasms;
- the presence of microcalcifications;
- condition of the lymph nodes.
If the doctor suspects the poor quality of the existing formation in the thyroid gland, he prescribes further procedures to clarify the diagnosis.
Ultrasound scanning of the lymph nodes is of great importance in the comprehensive examination of patients with thyroid pathology. The risk of lymphogenous metastasis of thyroid cancer is very high. Often, the detection of hypoechoic and (or) enlarged lymph nodes in the neck is the first sign of the development of malignant tumors. Based on the results of screening studies and the updated diagnosis of thyroid diseases, echoscanning of possible lymphogenous cancer metastases in the thyroid gland is performed. At the same time, specialists are guided by the known anatomical information about the outflow of lymph from the thyroid gland, and by data on the topography of the superficial and deep lymph nodes of the neck.
Ultrasound picture of thyroid cancer
What does the doctor write in the study protocol?
After the ultrasound procedure is completed, the doctor draws up a form in which he sets out all the results of the study, the state of the organ. The protocol consists of a description, which is built on the basis of an organ study algorithm and a conclusion, in which the doctor draws conclusions about the state of the gland based on the information received.
The thyroid ultrasound protocol includes the following parameters:
- the location of the gland (traditional, displaced, partially retrosternal);
- the size of the shares and their total volume;
- the thickness of the isthmus between the lobes;
- contours of the gland;
- the presence or absence of echostructures (nodules, cysts);
- echogenicity (character of signal reflection);
- information about blood flow;
- condition of the lymph nodes (enlarged or not);
- additional information;
- conclusion.
Be sure to take the protocol form with you for all subsequent thyroid examinations. Remember, ultrasound indicators are not a diagnosis, and if any pathology is detected, additional examinations are required.
Ultrasound helps to track all deviations from the norm in the thyroid tissue, identify formations that are not detected by palpation, and, under the control of a sensor, perform a biopsy of neoplasms in the thyroid gland. In view of its safety, ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland can be prescribed repeatedly. This enables the endocrinologist, using the examination protocol form, to monitor the state of the thyroid gland in dynamics and draw appropriate conclusions about the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of treatment.
Thyroid diseases are in the first place among endocrine diseases, which is why it is so important to diagnose them in time. We recommend monitoring the state of the thyroid gland for people who work at the computer for a long time, as well as those who take hormonal drugs, including contraceptives. Ultrasound of the thyroid gland makes it possible to assess the location, shape, contours, size and volume of the organ, its echostructure, to identify neoplasms, to study the state of regional lymphatic outflow. After the procedure, the patient will receive an ultrasound protocol form.
The thyroid gland plays an important role in human life. It is part of the endocrine system, which is a source of hormones necessary for the normal functioning of the body. With their help, development, metabolism and, of course, growth take place. When the work of the thyroid gland is disrupted, various ailments, diseases, and later complications appear. You can effectively detect the disease with the help of ultrasound of the thyroid gland, the decoding of the doctor will give an explanation for the ailments that have appeared.
What is a Thyroid Ultrasound?
Due to the malfunction of the thyroid gland, the following clinical pathologies appear:
- hyperthyroidism;
- hypothyroidism;
- cyst;
- thyroiditis;
- neoplasms (malignant or benign).
In addition, a person has different symptoms that cause these diseases:
- excess weight;
- weakness;
- lethargy;
- rapid fatigue;
- exhaustion;
- everything is annoying, the mood is constantly changing;
- apathy.
If a person observes such changes in his body, he needs to undergo research, for example, an ultrasound of the thyroid gland, the decoding of which will show its condition. Thus, it is possible to detect the disease in time and with the help of treatment to prevent it from developing. This diagnostic method is considered cheap, but at the same time quite reliable. This procedure is fast, so it does not take much time.
Preparation
Ultrasound of the thyroid gland is characterized by its simplicity and accessibility, moreover, it provides a good result. This procedure is superficial, so no special preparation is required. You just need to decide on the day that is most suitable, as well as set yourself up for the best result. Before visiting a doctor, you do not need to limit yourself in eating food, medicines.
How is the procedure?
The procedure does not cause pain, it does not harm a person, and the results of an ultrasound of the thyroid gland - decoding - will be ready after 10-20 minutes. Because of this, it is allowed to do a similar check and the smallest children, as well as women during pregnancy.
The person is lying down, after which the procedure can begin. During it, nothing causes discomfort, it is comfortable to lie down, since a roller is still placed under the head.
A gel is applied to the neck, after which the doctor uses a special sensor. With its help, the specialist can see the thyroid gland, he pays attention to the vessels that are nearby, the lymph nodes. In addition, it takes into account the location of this organ and removes its parameters.
The results of an ultrasound of the thyroid gland (decoding) can show the following:
- various deviations from the norm;
- the presence of a cyst;
- the appearance of blood clots and tumors;
- appearance of seals.
In addition, a lot of other things are shown by ultrasound of the thyroid gland (decoding). The size of neoplasms can also be determined using this diagnosis.
Decoding and norm of ultrasound of the thyroid gland
After the procedure, a person is provided with a transcript of the ultrasound of the thyroid gland. The norm of the volume of the thyroid gland in this case is 18 cm 3 and 25 cm 3, respectively, in women and men. This organ is often compared to a butterfly. Indeed, externally, the thyroid gland is very similar to it.
If you examine it visually, then it is not visible, and touching it with your fingers, a person does not feel pain. If this is not the case, then it is worth considering an urgent diagnosis. Namely, an ultrasound of the thyroid gland is required, the decoding of which will show why the touch is accompanied by pain.
After a detailed study of the state of the thyroid gland, the doctor will be able to determine the presence of the disease and prescribe treatment. For example, if the cavities are filled with fluid, then this indicates the presence of a cyst. As soon as the thyroid gland begins to increase, various complications appear in a person, the cardiovascular system begins to suffer. The decoding of the ultrasound of the thyroid gland, the norm of its volume are taken into account. If there are any deviations, proper treatment is required.
Experts advise to conduct such a study for each person constantly after 35 years, at least once a year. This is especially true for those who often feel a sore throat, feel that their mood is always jumping, and breathing is difficult.
What diseases can ultrasound of the thyroid gland show?
After an ultrasound of the thyroid gland, decoding can reveal such pathologies:
- hypothyroidism;
- nodular goiter;
- tumor;
- cyst;
- thyroiditis;
- diffuse goiter.
When is a Thyroid Ultrasound Required?
- When any formations appear in this zone, as well as the thyroid gland noticeably increases.
- When a person feels changes in the thyroid gland, such as a lump in the throat, difficult breathing.
- If the head often hurts, the heart beats hard, it is difficult to swallow, while sweating and pressure increase.
- If a person suddenly gained weight or, conversely, lost it.
- When a person is associated with work where harmful production is observed, ultrasound is required as a preventive measure.
- If a person lives where there is an iodine deficiency.
- When a woman plans to replenish the family in the future.
Echogenicity of the thyroid gland
Using ultrasound of the thyroid gland, you can determine its acoustic density, which is called echogenicity. She happens:
- normal;
- elevated;
- reduced.
In some cases, it may not be at all - due to the fact that the sound signal from the tissues is not reflected. When the signal is smooth, without failures, it means that the echogenicity is in order. If any differences in sound are heard, this may indicate that there is some kind of formation in this zone. Thus, such results are determined after ultrasound of the thyroid gland: decoding, echogenicity.
If normal echogenicity is observed, then the formation does not differ from healthy tissue in density. If it is low, then this indicates an increased density. This is due to the calcium salts that have been deposited before. Increased education appears due to the fact that a lot of fluid accumulates. You can do at a very young age ultrasound of the thyroid gland. Decoding in children will also show all the problems that exist in the thyroid gland.
Hypoechoic formations
If the ultrasound revealed nodes, then this indicates that a person develops a malignant pathology. Thus, if the echogenicity decreases, then this means that a cyst appears. When such a fact is discovered, a biopsy is required, which can determine the composition of the formations and other nuances. In addition, a blood test will be required. Only after the studies have been carried out, the doctor will be able to decide on the treatment.
Causes such changes in the body lack of iodine, as well as autoimmune thyroiditis. It can also talk about the disease of toxic goiter.
If the echogenicity increases, then tissue proliferation is observed, as well as its calcification. Thus, the destruction of the body occurs. It is impossible to determine the exact diagnosis due to increased echogenicity. This is just a push to the rest of the analyzes that will help identify the problem. After all, this may be a manifestation, for example, of autoimmune thyroiditis or follicular carcinoma. Therefore, do not neglect these indicators.
Causes of thyroid problems
So, you can provide the following results after ultrasound of the thyroid gland (decoding): echo density, echogenicity, the presence of tumors and other results. In order to please the doctor’s words after this procedure, you should carefully treat this important organ. Therefore, it is worth knowing about the reasons that cause deviations.
Basically, thyroid diseases occur due to the fact that it often overstrains. After all, all organs receive hormones T3 and T4 from it. If some recovery processes occur in the body, the thyroid gland has to work even harder. After that, it produces more hormones, from which the whole organ suffers later. It is even worse if, in addition to all this, a person has some kind of illness. This is additional stress for the body.
Follicles and cells must function in equal numbers. As soon as the load on the thyroid gland becomes greater, the work of the areas that are most active increases. From this, metabolic processes become much more intense, the vessels begin to expand in the zone of the gland, and the tissues are deformed. After that, an enlarged node is noticeable on ultrasound. This is not a normal phenomenon, which will subsequently need to be treated. Take care of your health!
The functioning of the whole organism depends on the health of the thyroid gland. The gland secretes hormones that regulate metabolic processes, the violation of which worsens the general condition of the patient. Some diseases of the body pose a danger to human life, so the procedure must be carried out regularly. Now ultrasound diagnostics are most often done in every hospital, so there are no problems with finding a place. Preparation for an ultrasound of the thyroid gland is necessary in order to obtain a reliable result, so it is very important to treat the stage with special attention.
It is necessary to check the condition of the thyroid gland regularly, for this an ultrasound is performed
In this article you will learn:
What is an ultrasound
Diagnostics consists in the use of a special sensor to emit waves that penetrate the tissues and return. This causes the image to appear on the monitor. Lighter tones mean the area is denser, while darker tones mean less.
Ultrasound diagnostics is a method that helps to identify pathologies. Even if there is the slightest suspicion of a malfunction of the organ, you need to undergo a study that allows you to diagnose the disease and prescribe an effective treatment. With the help of ultrasound, a specialist evaluates the structure of the gland and adjacent organs, size, and the presence of foci of inflammation.
The doctor determines only the presence of pathology. After the procedure, it is necessary to consult an endocrinologist, who will make an accurate diagnosis based on the results of the study and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
What are the basic rules for preparing
The procedure does not require special training, it is enough to follow the basic rules. These include:
- Nutrition. It is not recommended to eat a lot of food before an ultrasound. Older people should not eat breakfast at all before the procedure, as the doctor presses the sensor on the neck, and this can cause vomiting.
Do not overeat before ultrasound
- Childhood. It is necessary to take with you in advance your favorite toy, which will be distracting so that the child does not cry.
- Decorations. You definitely need to take them off.
- Lack of stress. In the case when the patient is afraid of the procedure, it is necessary to relax and think about something good. If this is not possible, you need to take sedatives with you. For example, Novo-Passit, tincture of valerian or motherwort.
- Limiting the intake of iodine preparations 2-3 days before the procedure.
- Stop smoking 10 days before the ultrasound.
- On the eve of the use of alcoholic beverages is unacceptable.
For an ultrasound, you should bring with you:
- previous research results;
- shoe covers (if not in the hospital);
- money;
- a diaper (so as not to stain the couch);
- paper towels or towel (in order to wipe the gel from the body).
Gel after ultrasound is removed with paper towels
Do you need a power adjustment?
You can also eat:
- Boiled rice.
- Oats.
- Millet.
Can you eat chicken breasts?
- Rice cakes.
- Wheat bran.
- Soups.
- Fish products.
- Lean meat (chicken).
- Yoghurts.
Cabbage, wheat, dairy products can cause constipation. Eating too spicy food (fried), tea, coffee cause problems with the gastrointestinal tract, so these foods should not be eaten before an ultrasound.
In addition to dieting, you need to change your diet. It should be eaten in small portions (200 g) 5-6 times a day with breaks of 2-3 hours. It is impossible to go to bed immediately after eating, as the digestion process may be disturbed. It is better to eat 1-2 hours before sleep and physical activity.
What are the clothing requirements
Preparation for an ultrasound of the thyroid gland includes the choice of clothing that should not restrict movement. The most important thing is that the neck area is open or can be quickly accessed.
In case the patient did not pay attention to this measure of preparation, the specialist will ask you to remove clothes from the upper body.
When is the best time to perform an ultrasound?
Women should prepare for the procedure more carefully than men, since the first one depends on the cycle of menstruation. It is best to undergo the procedure on the 7-9th day after the end of menstrual flow.
From this video you can find out who should undergo a thyroid ultrasound:
If you find any abnormalities in the work of the thyroid gland, you should immediately contact a specialist and follow all his recommendations. The sooner the pathology is detected, the more effective and efficient the treatment will be. It is necessary to regularly undergo an ultrasound of the gland and prepare for it.
Ultrasound diagnostics is an effective, safe method for detecting abnormalities of the thyroid gland, related regional tissues and organs. The procedure is easy to perform, low price for the service and easy to prepare.
Ultrasound of the thyroid gland allows you to detect the smallest formations in the tissue of the gland that produces specific hormones. An important organ is responsible for the condition of bone and muscle tissue. The functioning of the heart, the brain, the quality of the body's metabolic reactions depend on the proper functioning of the endocrine gland.
The doctor prescribes an ultrasound diagnosis of the gland based on the data of an external examination, the results of a hormonal study, and a patient interview. And also if the following complaints are present:
- violation of the menstrual cycle;
- inability to get pregnant naturally;
- an increase in cervical, jaw lymph nodes;
- thickening of the tissues of the neck, visually determined goiter.
How to prepare for an ultrasound?
Special preparation for ultrasound of the thyroid gland is not required. Sometimes the endocrinologist gives the patient a referral for a preliminary study of the level of hormones in the blood.
Before the examination, the patient must follow a few simple rules:
- Provide access to the neck area for examination. Clothing should be comfortable, not interfere with manipulation. Do not wear jewelry that covers the neck area.
- Do not overload the digestive tract the day before and before the examination.
- Before ultrasound of the thyroid gland, nervous, physical overload should be avoided.
When writing out a referral, the doctor explains to the patient how the examination is carried out and how to properly prepare for it, paying special attention to the date and time of the event. The procedure is simple and affordable, without causing the patient any special worries.
On what day of the cycle is it better for women to conduct a study?
The size of the thyroid gland in women varies depending on the period of the menstrual cycle, which is normal. In the first half, the size of the organ may exceed the size by 45 - 50% compared to the norm. According to experts, the examination 7-10 days after the end of menstruation provides the most objective information.
How do men prepare for examination?
An important condition is the absence of nervous stress on the eve of the examination. Smoking leads to an increase in the body, therefore, to obtain reliable data, it is better to stop smoking at least 10 days before the procedure.
Alcohol intake, even in small quantities, on the eve of the event should be canceled, as well as all kinds of physical activity.
Can I eat before and after the procedure?
The examination does not affect the digestive system, so it does not require a special diet. Ultrasound does not need to be done on an empty stomach, but it is also not necessary to overeat. Pressure on the neck area can cause a gag reflex in the elderly, pregnant women, and children.
For this category of patients, it is better to refrain from eating before the event, and on the eve to limit the diet to a small portion of easily digestible foods that do not contain coarse fiber. After diagnosis, you can eat if the examination did not cause nausea, vomiting, nervous overexcitation.
When is the best time to do it?
For timely detection of deviations from the norm, it is better to carry out diagnostics once a year.
Important! The disease found in the initial stage is easier to treat.
You need to contact an endocrinologist for a referral to an ultrasound of the thyroid gland if you have certain symptoms:
- tremor (trembling) of the limbs;
- hair loss;
- fragility of the nail plate;
- high nervous excitability;
- heart rhythm disturbances;
- sensation of a lump in the throat;
- sudden weight gain or loss;
- prolonged increase in body temperature up to 37 - 38 °;
- lethargy, drowsiness;
- palpation of seals in the tissues of the thyroid gland.
Ultrasound - diagnostics should be carried out for people with diabetes mellitus who use hormonal drugs.
What can not be done before the study?
Before the ultrasound procedure, you should not overeat, be nervous, smoke or take alcohol.
Patients taking hormonal drugs, iodine-containing drugs, 3 days before the event, you need to temporarily stop taking the medication.
To obtain more accurate results, physical activity should be avoided before the study.
What is needed for the examination?
If you have the results of a previous study and tests for hormones, you need to take the documentation to the ultrasound room. A prerequisite is the presence of a referral for examination from an endocrinologist or therapist. It is necessary to take a small towel with you, which will come in handy as a lining under your head, the remains of the gel can be removed with the same towel, napkin.
How do they do it?
Before the study, many people often have a question, how does an ultrasound of the thyroid gland work and what is the algorithm? Diagnostics is carried out in a special room. The methodology is not much different from.
The patient lies on the couch, lying on his back and slightly tilting his head. A special gel is applied to the skin of the neck, which facilitates the passage of ultrasonic waves in the tissues.
The sensor is pressed against the skin and easily glides over the surface. Positioning the device at different angles, the specialist examines the organ, the image of which is displayed on the computer display. The doctor may place a small roller under the patient's head to help inspect the gland.
The study includes several stages:
- general inspection;
- calculation of the volume of the body;
- diagnostics of seals, determination of the boundaries of the organ and tissue structure;
- determination of the state of the parathyroid glands and regional lymphatic tissue.
Reference! To obtain an accurate result during the diagnosis, you can not move.
The parameters of the isthmus, the lobes of the organ, the presence of seals, nodes and cystic formations are determined. The procedure is not associated with painful, unpleasant sensations and takes from 15 to 20 minutes.
How often can you do it?
The thyroid gland should be checked at least once a year. Women over 40 and persons exposed to harmful industrial and environmental factors should be examined once every 6 months.
Useful video
Watch the thyroid ultrasound video below:
Conclusion
Ultrasound diagnostics of the thyroid gland is an effective, safe way to maintain health by timely detecting the pathology of an important organ of the endocrine system. Diagnosis is also carried out for the purpose of prevention, before a planned pregnancy.
Ultrasound of the thyroid gland is performed relatively recently. Half a century ago, the state of the thyroid gland could only be assessed by palpation, the collection of data for anamnesis, and a visual examination of the front of the neck. The range of diagnostic procedures has expanded, ultrasound has become the norm when making a diagnosis.
Ultrasound of the thyroid gland
A diagnostic procedure that scans the thyroid gland using a transducer with ultrasound and transmits the image to a monitor is called a thyroid ultrasound. The procedure allows you to correctly diagnose and prescribe competent treatment, thereby preventing such dangerous diseases of the organ as benign and malignant neoplasms, goiter, hypothyroidism, etc. Pathologies are detected at each stage of its development.
During a routine examination, the procedure is free for patients, an unscheduled examination of the gland may require payment, but the cost of this procedure is low. There is no specific preparation for thyroid ultrasound, you need to follow general recommendations before scanning any organ. The procedure does not pose a risk to the patient's health and is absolutely painless.
In what cases is the examination carried out?
If, during palpation, the endocrinologist detects seals or formations on the organ, the nature of the pathological structures is recognized during the examination. Patients whose work has harmful production conditions may also be examined. Without fail, the patient begins preparation for ultrasound of the thyroid gland with the following pathological phenomena:
- goiter, hypertrophy of the thyroid gland and lymph nodes;
- preparation for the conception of a child;
- violation of thyroid hormonal balance;
- prolonged amenorrhea and other menstrual irregularities;
- monitoring the state of the organ after surgery;
- finding out the cause of female infertility;
- frequent migrations to other climatic zones;
- tracking the healing process of the thyroid gland;
- increased irritability, general malaise, drowsiness;
- premenopausal and menopause;
- asthma attacks;
- the use of hormonal drugs;
- hyperexcitability of nerve endings;
- frequent exposure to ultraviolet light;
- hereditary diseases of the thyroid gland;
- scheduled preventive examination.
Pathologies during ultrasound examination
The examination procedure allows you to confirm the suspicion of a developing pathological process or its absence:
- the degree of uniformity of the tissue;
- local lymph circulation;
- the size of the parathyroid glands;
- the size of the body as a whole. With hypertrophy of the organ, goiter is diagnosed;
- hyperplasia of the gland of a benign and malignant nature;
- the size of each lobe of the gland;
- localization of metastases;
- replacement of epithelial glandular tissue with fibrous connective tissue in some areas;
- cystic cavity formations with clear boundaries;
- inflammation phenomena that increase the echogenicity of the gland.
Preparatory process for ultrasound examination
The quantity and quality of food taken does not affect the ultrasound procedure in any way. In children and elderly patients, it is better to perform the procedure on an empty stomach, so that when pressing on the organ, it does not provoke a gag reflex.
Some doctors believe that in women, the most reliable results are obtained 6-7 days after menstruation, but there is no proven scientific data on this fact. Before undergoing an ultrasound examination, the endocrinologist may prescribe additional tests for which you will need to prepare. These are tests for the level of hormones in the blood:
- free triiodothyronine;
- free thyroxine;
- thyroid-stimulating hormone;
- antibodies to thyroglobulin;
- thyroglobulin;
- antibodies to thyroid peroxidase.
Before carrying out the diagnostic procedure, you will need to remove all jewelry in the neck area, as they will interfere with the procedure. It is advisable to take a towel from home to wipe off the gel after the examination. The rules of hotel clinics include the mandatory wearing of a white coat during the examination.
To obtain a reliable result, it is impossible to move during the procedure, therefore, when examining children, it is necessary to prepare for an ultrasound by taking a book or a distracting toy. If the patient has an ultrasound result of other organs related to the thyroid gland, it must be taken with you.
Ultrasound
The patient is placed on the couch lying down, slightly tilting his head back. For the passage of an ultrasonic signal, a special gel is applied to the thyroid gland, which ensures contact of the body surface with the applied sensor. The sensor is pressed tightly against the surface of the neck and emits an ultrasonic signal that is displayed on the monitor. A specially trained medical specialist describes the echogenicity, the size of the formations (if any) and their nature, the volume of the isthmus and the thyroid lobes.
The reflection on the monitor indicates the state of the gland, but is not the basis for establishing a diagnosis. Ultrasound data, together with hormonal analysis and other types of diagnostics, is summarized by the endocrinologist and makes a diagnosis.
During pregnancy, the endocrine organ can normally increase up to 20 ml. The procedure during pregnancy is safe for the expectant mother and baby. The time for an ultrasound of the thyroid gland is no more than 15 minutes.