Patient Resources

A typical new patient appointment is designed to be thorough, lasting 60 minutes from the moment you check in to when you check out. We want to ensure you have all your questions answered and feel comfortable every step of the way.

Whether the patient needs to isolate after I-131 treatment depends on the dose received and the individual clearance rate, but in most cases, yes, the patient will need to take precautions for a few days to a couple of weeks to protect others from low-level radiation exposure.

Typical isolation timelines:

Low-dose therapy: Often 3-5 days of isolation, sometimes at home with strict precautions.

High-dose therapy: Usually a full week with similar precautions.

A thyroid scan is an imaging procedure that utilizes radiotracers, a special camera, and a computer to visualize the shape, size, and structure of the thyroid gland. This scan helps identify areas of overactivity or underactivity within the thyroid.

During the procedure, a healthcare provider administers a safe, radioactive material known as a radiotracer, which can be given in either liquid or pill form. The radiotracer travels through the bloodstream and is absorbed by the thyroid gland.

As the thyroid scan is conducted, special cameras detect the radioactivity, allowing a computer to generate detailed images of the thyroid. In these images, overactive or abnormal areas of the thyroid will appear enlarged and notably “bright,” highlighting any irregularities present in the gland.

Here’s how a thyroid scan works:

1. A technician (often a radiology or nuclear medicine technologist) will give the patient radioactive iodine (a radiotracer) in pill form to swallow. The radiotracer will have little to no taste.
2. After the thyroid has absorbed the radiotracer, the patient will be asked to lie down on an exam table with their neck extended backward.
3. The technician will position the medical camera over the patient’s neck and take a series of images at different angles. It’s important to remain still while the camera is taking pictures.
4. The patient may need to wait until the provider determines if they have enough images. Sometimes, the technician takes additional pictures to better visualize certain areas of the thyroid. There’s no need to worry if they need to take additional pictures.

The entire thyroid scan procedure takes about 20-30 minutes to complete.

A dual X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA/DXA) scan is a quick and painless procedure that evaluates a patient’s bone health. While it is similar to an X-ray, the DEXA scan specifically measures bone strength and mineral density rather than just imaging internal structures. Doctors utilize DEXA scans to screen for bone disorders such as osteoporosis, osteopenia, and other conditions that can silently weaken bones. This type of scan is an outpatient procedure, meaning a patient won’t have to stay overnight in a hospital.

Here’s how a bone density scan works:

1. The patient will lie down belly up on a special X-ray table.
2. A technician (often a radiology or nuclear medicine technologist) will help position the patient’s body by placing foam blocks under or around them to hold their legs in the proper position.
3. The technician will pass the machine’s scanning arm over the patient’s body to take a picture of their bones. Technicians usually scan the patient’s hips and spine, but they may also scan other bones, such as the forearms.

The entire DEXA scan procedure takes about 10 minutes to complete. 

For assistance, please call our main office line. We’re happy to provide specific rates for certain visits or procedures for uninsured patients.