Thyroid Ultrasound

A thyroid ultrasound is a safe imaging test that looks at the size and structure of your thyroid gland. UltraSound Associates USA, LLC in Houston, Texas, uses the latest imaging technology when doing thyroid ultrasounds so that patients get accurate readings and results. The ultrasound-focused practice reviews the imaging and completes its reports within 24 hours. Call or schedule an appointment online today.

What should I know about a thyroid ultrasound?

A thyroid ultrasound uses advanced sound wave technology to create images of your thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is the butterfly-shaped organ at the front of your neck. It makes and releases thyroid hormones.

Thyroid hormones direct the function of many systems in the body, including your metabolism (which determines how much energy your body needs to run), your heart rate, and your mood.

Some people develop lumps, called nodules, on the gland. Your primary care provider may feel these lumps during a physical exam. In most cases, these lumps are harmless but can sometimes be cancerous.

I have a lump on my thyroid. Do I need a thyroid ultrasound?

You’ll need a thyroid ultrasound if your provider finds lumps on your thyroid during a physical exam. An ultrasound test creates images of the gland that can find smaller lumps not detectable during a physical.

Though these lumps are rarely cancerous, an ultrasound test is a tool health care providers use to determine if the thyroid nodule is of concern or not.

What does a thyroid ultrasound feel like?

Your ultrasound technician at UltraSound Associates USA, LLC, explains what you can expect before they start the test.

For a thyroid ultrasound, the technician has you lie on your back or side. They apply a gel to the skin on your neck and place a hand-held device called a transducer on the skin and move it around.

The transducer sends high-frequency sound waves into the neck, creating echoes that the transducer picks up and sends to a computer that translates them into moving images.

You’ll feel some pressure as the ultrasound technician runs the transducer over your neck but no pain. A thyroid ultrasound at UltraSound Associates USA, LLC, takes 30-60 minutes.

What happens after a thyroid ultrasound?

You can resume your routine after your thyroid ultrasound at UltraSound Associates USA, LLC. The radiologist (a medical doctor specializing in diagnosing diseases using imaging tests) reviews the pictures and videos from the ultrasound and writes a report.

UltraSound Associates USA, LLC, sends the report to your referring physician within 24 hours after your test.

Call UltraSound Associates USA, LLC, today or schedule your thyroid ultrasound online.