Thyroid Scan: Why It Is Done


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Why It Is Done


A thyroid scan is done to:

  • See whether thyroid nodules are present.
  • Find the cause of an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism).
  • See whether thyroid cancer has spread outside the thyroid gland. A whole-body thyroid scan will usually be done for this evaluation.


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Last updated: August 14, 2008
Author: Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Reviewed By: Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine, Matthew I. Kim, MD - Endocrinology & Metabolism
Editors: Maria Essig, Tracy Landauer

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