FAQs
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No. They are different scans for different organs. The thyroid gland is a butterfly shaped organ in your throat, the parathyroid glands are pea sized organs (4) that lie above and below the thyroid gland. While we look for the thyroid to aid in finding the parathyroid gland(s), the amount of tracer we use for this is far less than used for a standard thyroid scan.
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Avoid x-ray contrast for a minimum of 2 weeks prior.
If there is any chance you may be pregnant or you are breastfeeding, please contact us directly for specific instructions.
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- On arrival you will have an IV placed into the middle of the arm.
- You will receive the first of two tracer injections. The first injection will highlight the thyroid gland.
- After 15-20 minutes you will have a scan of the throat and upper chest to locate and show the thyroid gland. This will take approximately 5 minutes.
- On completion of the first image you will receive the second injection. This injection will be absorbed by any parathyroid adenoma present and stand out.
- After the second injection you will continue to have another 15-25 minutes of imaging.
- The most critical thing during the scan is to lay still as much as possible.
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This scan takes 1 hour, however some patients require a delayed image 3 hours after the tracer is administered.
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Queensland X-Ray has the latest nuclear medicine equipment, with SPECT/CT available across all departments.
One of our nuclear medicine technologists will perform your parathyroid scan, under the supervision of one of our nuclear medicine specialists.
The images the technologist acquires are reviewed by a specialist who reports on the findings. The report will be sent to your referring doctor, who will explain the findings to you. Technologists performing the scan do not discuss scan results with you.
How much will it cost?
Fees for radiology procedures will vary depending on a variety of factors. We will advise you about the cost of your service at the time of booking but if you do have any questions, contact us and one of our team will be happy to help with your query. You can read more about our billing information here.
How do I access my images?
At Queensland X-Ray, we provide our patients with their images and results online. To access your images and results, you’ll need to register for an account when you visit one of our practices. If you’ve already registered, you can access the Patient Portal here.