A few decades ago, only a visual examination of the thyroid gland by palpation was carried out. Now with the help of ultrasound it is possible to assess its size, structure, and also to identify neoplasms. The procedure is an indispensable diagnostic method for studying the work of the body and making an accurate diagnosis. Consider how to properly prepare for an ultrasound of the thyroid gland, are there any features for men and women, is it possible to diagnose this method during pregnancy and during the menstrual cycle.
What is thyroid ultrasound?
The thyroid gland is a kind of shield for the whole organism. Many organs and systems depend on it, since it participates in almost every metabolic process, affects the gastrointestinal tract, mental, physical and reproductive development.
Many people are interested in the question of how to prepare for an ultrasound of the thyroid gland? "What does this method show. Diagnostics using ultrasound helps to assess the size of the gland, its shape, weight, as well as the presence of cysts, nodules or tumors in its structure. The direction for ultrasound is given by an endocrinologist. If there is even the slightest deviation from the norm, the patient is assigned a series of laboratory tests, including blood for hormones, and only after such an examination is prescribed therapy.
An ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland is carried out in a special room where there is appropriate equipment. Using a sensor, the image is processed by a computer and displayed on a monitor.
Indications for ultrasound of the thyroid gland
Before preparing for the study of ultrasound of the thyroid gland, the doctor conducts a visual examination of the front of the neck. It is worth noting that the endocrinologist prescribes this method of examination in the presence of some factors.
Indications for ultrasound of the thyroid gland:
- deformation of the neck area, determined by visual inspection;
- weight gain for no apparent reason;
- lag in physical or mental development;
- with palpation, enlarged lymph nodes are palpated;
- pain in the neck (painful swallowing, sensation of a lump in the throat);
- violation of the menstrual cycle in women or problems with the reproductive system;
- rapid heart rate.
Ultrasound of the thyroid gland is a safe research method, so it can be performed even in newborn babies. There are no contraindications to the procedure. Doctors advise such a manipulation once a year as a prophylaxis to each person. Thus, it is possible to control the work of the body and take measures for any detection of violations.
What are the symptoms of a thyroid test?
There are a number of signs that should alert a person and encourage him to conduct an examination of the thyroid gland. Most often, violations in the work of this body are associated with a deficiency of iodine in the body, which comes with water or food.
Preparation for ultrasound of the thyroid gland in men, women and children is carried out when a number of clinical signs are identified, namely:
- disturbed sleep patterns - constant drowsiness or vice versa insomnia;
- a sharp change in weight - obesity or weight loss;
- disturbances in the work of the cardiovascular system;
- sudden mood swings - apathy, aggression, tearfulness;
- deterioration of appearance - hair loss, increased fragility of nails and dry skin;
- change in body temperature - with hypofunction, the temperature is up to 36.0 degrees, with hyperfunction - it is held at 37.5 degrees.
Symptoms can be observed as all, and some separate factors can be present. In order not to start the pathology, it is recommended to be examined and treated.
Ultrasound benefits
Before preparing for thyroid ultrasound, doctors advise you to get acquainted with the advantages of this diagnostic examination method and talk about the following advantages of the procedure:
- accessibility of the research - ultrasound can be done both planned and urgently on a paid or free basis;
- painlessness - the method is non-invasive, non-traumatic and does not cause side effects or complications;
- informativeness - not only the presence of the pathology itself is revealed, but also the structure of the organ, its functionality and character;
- speed - in time the procedure takes no more than 20 minutes, the result is immediately delivered to your hands;
- the possibility of a biopsy - if necessary, you can also take a puncture, that is, take an organ tissue for further examination during an ultrasound scan.
Despite the obvious advantages, there is a minus to this survey. It lies in the fact that the effectiveness of the procedure depends primarily on the class of equipment, as well as on the qualifications of the specialist who conducts ultrasound.
How to prepare for an ultrasound of the thyroid gland?
Ultrasound of the thyroid gland is a fast, effective and efficient diagnostic method and does not require special preparation. You can lead a normal lifestyle, not limit motor activity. At the reception, you can bring a clean diaper or towel with you to wipe the gel or lie down on the couch. This is relevant when conducting surveys in public institutions or in rural areas, where they save on disposable napkins.
The preparation for thyroid ultrasound in men is exactly the same as in women and children. The procedure can be done any day. Before the procedure, the doctor can prescribe a series of laboratory tests to determine the level of hormones in the blood. Such tests as T3, TTG, T4, AT to TG, AT to TPO and TG are given. Only with all these studies, is a final diagnosis made and therapy prescribed.
Can I have thyroid before ultrasound?
Often questions are asked not only how to prepare for an ultrasound of the thyroid gland, how the procedure is done, but also whether it is possible to eat food immediately before the examination. It should be understood that the body is not connected with the digestive system, so you do not need to deny yourself food or adhere to a diet. The only restriction may be in children, pregnant women or the elderly. Doctors do not advise them to eat tightly immediately before the procedure. The sensor on the neck can cause a gag reflex in them.
It is also worth abandoning food intake for those people who have individual characteristics of the body, which can respond to the pressure of the sensor on the neck. To eliminate such unpleasant consequences, you should refrain from eating at least four hours before the procedure.
What clothes should you wear?
Interested in the question of how to prepare a woman for thyroid ultrasound, namely what to wear? There are no special restrictions on the wardrobe. Experts advise wearing such clothes that would not hamper the movement and open access to the neck. After all, when conducting an ultrasound, you will need to take a prone position and tilt your head back a little.
If the outfit will cover the neck, the doctor may ask to undress to the waist. An ultrasound scan may also be prevented by beads or chains. All this is negotiated directly on the spot.
Is it possible to carry out an ultrasound of the thyroid gland during menstruation?
How to prepare a woman for an ultrasound of the thyroid gland, because this organ has a significant effect on her hormonal background? Is it possible to conduct an examination during critical days? Experts still advise not to do ultrasound research at this time. This is primarily due to the characteristics of the female body. Depending on the period of the menstrual cycle, the organ can increase in size up to 40%, so the results may be somewhat distorted.
Most often, ultrasound is prescribed to a woman 7-10 days after the end of menstruation. This period is the most informative and productive.
What can not be done before an ultrasound of the thyroid gland?
Before preparing for an ultrasound of the thyroid gland, the doctor should inform you about what is not recommended before the examination.
Limitations before an ultrasound of the thyroid gland:
- Do not take hormonal or iodine-containing drugs for several days.
- Stop smoking. Nicotine provokes an increase in the thyroid gland, so getting reliable results will not work.
- It is necessary to limit the intake of alcoholic beverages. Under the influence of alcohols, vessels can not only expand, but also narrow in the long term, which can also distort the information content of the examination, not to mention the aesthetic side.
- Excessive physical activity, experts advise to stop both women and men the day before the examination. How to prepare for an ultrasound of the thyroid gland is of concern to almost all adequate patients, and for athletes this question is no exception.
- Excitement and stress will interfere, so you should take a mild sedative before the examination.
How is the procedure performed?
Having figured out how to prepare for an ultrasound of the thyroid gland, it is worth learning about what the procedure consists of. The patient assumes a prone position, a small soft roller is placed under the shoulder blades, thereby the head tilts slightly back. If the posture causes discomfort to the patient, the study may be performed while sitting.
A gel is applied to a special sensor and to the neck area. It is needed so that there is no air between the device and the skin, since it prevents the transfer of pictures to a computer and, accordingly, to the monitor. The gel-like consistency is hypoallergenic, it does not have a pungent odor, so it does not cause any discomfort. After the procedure, it is simply erased with a napkin.
Using a linear sensor, a thorough inspection of each lobe occurs. In this case, such readings as length, width and thickness are recorded, which is calculated instantly by a computer. After measurements, the specialist assesses the structure of the thyroid tissue and describes all the characteristics of the focal formations, if any.
The duration of the study takes no more than 20 minutes. Most often, the picture of the organ that is displayed on the screen is black and white. Sometimes the findings obtained by ultrasound may scare the patient, but it is worth remembering that this is not the final diagnosis. To confirm, a number of laboratory tests are necessarily carried out. It is also possible to take a puncture for a more detailed study of the structure of a nodule, cyst or neoplasm.
Even with a suspicion of malignant neoplasms and their detection at the initial stage, the outcome of therapy or surgical intervention in most cases is favorable.
There is also such a research method as CDK (color Doppler mapping), during which the blood flow is visualized. There is elastography, which is a modification of ultrasound and helps to improve the diagnosis in the detection of malignant neoplasms. With the help of such a study, thyroid cancer, adenoma and colloid cysts can be detected, which cannot be distinguished with conventional ultrasound.
Features of pregnancy
Representatives of the fair sex are more likely than men to encounter such a pathology as an enlargement of the thyroid gland. The disease is inherited from mother to daughter. In the body of a pregnant woman, when there is a hormonal malfunction and the whole body is rebuilt, disorders in the functioning of the thyroid gland may appear. After all, hormones during the gestation of the baby affect not only how the pregnancy goes, but also how the baby develops in the womb.
Violations of the thyroid gland can lead to serious consequences and even termination of pregnancy. Therefore, an ultrasound scan as a diagnosis is recommended for all pregnant women. This procedure is not harmful and does not harm the developing body of the baby. She does not require special training and can be recommended for a future mother, regardless of the term.