Thyroid Ultrasound
A thyroid ultrasound can detect nodules, or lumps, in the thyroid, which cannot be physically felt. The majority of these regions pose no health risk; the minority are tumors that may require further diagnosis or treatment.
What can a thyroid ultrasound detect?
Ultrasounds can detect, as well as treat, thyroid cancer, nodules, cysts, parathyroid, Hashimoto's disease, thyroid disease, thyroiditis, Graves’ disease, hyperthyroid, cytopathology, goiter and autoimmune conditions. An ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration, also called a needle biopsy, involves removing some cells, from an isolated area within the body and examining them externally to determine or aid in diagnosis.
What is the thyroid gland?
Located in the front of the neck above the collar bone, it is one of 9 endocrine glands that produce and sends hormones into the bloodstream. The thyroid hormone regulates the rate of a heartbeat.