Thyroid Ultrasound

What is a thyroid ultrasound?

A thyroid ultrasound is a painless imaging test that lets your provider look at your thyroid and the tissue around it in your neck. Healthcare providers sometimes call a thyroid ultrasound a sonogram or echogram.

Thyroid ultrasounds are the most common thyroid imaging tests. They can help diagnose:

• Goiter
• Swollen lymph nodes in your neck (cervical lymphadenopathy)
• Thyroid cancer
• Thyroid nodules or cysts

Why would a healthcare provider order a thyroid ultrasound?

Most of the time, your provider will order a thyroid ultrasound as a follow-up test. For example, you might need one if:

• They see a nodule on your thyroid during a CT scan
• You have unusual lab test results
• You have symptoms that can be signs of a thyroid issue
• They need to take new pictures of a thyroid nodule they diagnosed in the past

Your provider might also order an ultrasound after feeling your thyroid during a physical exam. But this is less common.

If your provider sees something unusual during an ultrasound, they’ll suggest other tests or treatments.

How does a thyroid ultrasound work?

Ultrasounds use sound waves to show organs and tissue inside your body. The ultrasound machine bounces sound waves off your thyroid. It lets your provider see real-time pictures and/or video of what’s going on under your skin.

Thyroid ultrasounds work well because your provider can easily reach your thyroid. Your thyroid is only around an inch and a half under the skin of your neck. That makes it easy to scan your thyroid with the ultrasound machine’s handheld wand (transducer).

What do you need to do before the ultrasound?

There’s no special prep you need to do before a thyroid ultrasound. Your provider might even be able to do the test right away if they feel something they want to examine during your checkup.

If you do need to make a separate test appointment, you won’t need to change anything in your daily routine. You can eat, drink and take all your usual medications the day of your ultrasound.

Your provider will need access to your neck during a thyroid ultrasound. So, you might want to wear loose, comfortable clothing and avoid wearing any neck jewelry you can’t easily remove.

What happens during a thyroid ultrasound?

A thyroid ultrasound is quick and easy. It involves a few steps:

1. You might have to take your shirt off and change into a hospital gown. You’ll lie face-up on an exam table.
2. Your provider will put a small dollop of water-based gel on your neck near your thyroid. This gel helps the test work. It won’t stain your skin or clothes. Your provider will put a towel around your neck to protect your clothes.
3. Your provider will press a handheld wand (transducer) over the gel. It might feel slightly uncomfortable, but they won’t press hard enough to hurt you.
4. The transducer will send the sound waves into your neck. As they bounce off your thyroid, your provider will see it on the test machine’s display.
5. Your provider might move the transducer to a few spots around your thyroid to take pictures from different angles.
6. After your provider takes all the pictures they need, they’ll wipe the gel off your neck.

How long does a thyroid ultrasound take?

Thyroid ultrasounds usually take around 30 minutes from start to finish. How long your test lasts can vary. It depends on what your provider is looking for and how many photos of your thyroid they need.

Are there any risks?

There are no risks or side effects of having a thyroid ultrasound. The sound waves your provider uses during the test are harmless. You won’t hear or feel them, and they can’t damage your body.

The test gel might feel cold, especially at first. But it’s nontoxic and won’t hurt your skin.

What will a thyroid ultrasound show?

A thyroid ultrasound will show your thyroid and any growths or changes around it. Your provider will be able to see if your thyroid is larger than usual.

Thyroid ultrasound results

Your provider will tell you if the results of your thyroid ultrasound are normal or abnormal.

A normal result means that everything around your thyroid looks like it should. There was nothing out of place, and your thyroid was its usual size.

Abnormal thyroid ultrasound results mean your provider saw something out of the ordinary. That doesn’t automatically mean your provider found a serious red flag. It just suggests that they need to check on something. Some abnormal results can include:

• Growths on or around your thyroid
• Inflammation around your thyroid (thyroiditis)
• Your thyroid is larger than it should be

You might see a TI-RADS score in your test results. This helps doctors classify thyroid nodules and determine what to do next.

Your provider will help you understand your test results. They’ll tell you what to expect, including any other tests or treatments you’ll need.

Will a thyroid ultrasound show cancer?

A thyroid ultrasound can’t diagnose cancer. But it will show your provider if there are new or changing growths on your thyroid. Your provider will suggest other tests, including a thyroid biopsy. You might need a biopsy if your ultrasound shows anything that might be thyroid cancer.

When should I call my healthcare provider?

Call your provider if you notice any pain or changes in your neck. Let your provider know if you can see swelling around your thyroid.

Other signs of a thyroid condition might include:

• An unusual heartbeat (dysrhythmia)
• Depression or anxiety
• Irregular periods
• Temperature changes (in both heat and cold) bothering you more than usual
• Unexplained weight loss or weight gain