Thyroid ultrasound

Ultrasound of the thyroid gland is one of the non-invasive diagnostic methods, which is highly informative and absolutely painless. It allows early detection of disorders in the thyroid gland and determines the severity of existing problems with the organ.

Ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland has the following advantages:

• absolute safety for health;
• the efficiency of the procedure;
• the ability to obtain maximum data on the state of the body;
• optimal cost in comparison with other diagnostic methods.

Moreover, an ultrasound of the thyroid gland can be prescribed even to a child and a pregnant woman, as well as to the elderly and patients suffering from any ailments of this organ.

PREPARATION FOR THYROID USG

Ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland is performed without any prior preparation. Of course, if you have previously undergone the same diagnostics, you should take the previous protocol with you to a consultation with an endocrinologist so that he can track the dynamics of changes. If the procedure will be performed on an elderly person, then it is recommended not to eat anything in the morning, because when the sensor is pressed on the neck area, vomiting may occur. Young patients can eat as they are used to.

HOW THE PROCEDURE WORKS

The study itself takes about 30 minutes. Everything happens according to the following scheme:

1. The person takes a comfortable position on the couch (lying).
2. The area of ​​the neck where the examined gland is located is exposed.
3. A conductive gel is applied for a better "signal".
4. The specialist drives the sensor along the neck at different angles to record all the necessary parameters of the organ.

It is worth noting that during the process you will not feel any discomfort, except for the cold from the gel and a slight discomfort from pressing the sensor on the neck. No pain, no irritation, no numbness - nothing like this is ever observed. After the study is completed, the ultrasound specialist will give you a protocol in your hands - a document in which all information about the thyroid gland will be recorded.

STANDARDS FOR THYROID USG

When conducting ultrasound diagnostics of the thyroid gland, doctors take into account such indicators of the organ as volume (may vary between 12-35 cm3) and the size of the lobes (may be different). The remaining normal indicators of the body are as follows:

Parameter	Normal value
Width, length, thickness	15-20 mm., 25-60 mm., 10-15 mm.
Neck	4-8 mm.
Parathyroid glands	2-8 mm.
Fabric structure	homogeneous, glandular, granular
Echogenicity	Ana-echogenicity - ultrasound waves are not reflected (for example, due to a benign neoplasm) Iso-echogenicity - ultrasound waves are partially reflected (the state of the tissues is normal) Hypo-echogenicity - low degree of reflection (cysts) Hyper-echogenicity - maximum reflection of ultrasound waves (connective tissue)
The presence of neoplasms	missing

This is what an ultrasound of the thyroid gland shows. These data are quite enough for further work with the patient.

WHEN TO DO THYROID ULTRASOUND

The ultrasound technique for diagnosing the thyroid gland is used in medical practice both as a primary assessment of the state of the organ and to track changes during therapy or after surgery.

If we are talking about the primary study of the organ, then most often ultrasound diagnostics is prescribed for:

• trembling in the hands of an incomprehensible etiology;
• increased irritability;
• general malaise and loss of strength;
• various sleep problems;
• emotional lability;
• discomfort during swallowing ("lump in the throat");
• pressure surges of unknown origin;
• arrhythmias and other cardiac arrhythmias;
• sudden rapid baldness;
• frequent mood swings;
• cough of unclear etiology;
• enlarged lymph nodes;
• excessive sweating;
• voice change (for example, appeared hoarseness);
• the rapid change in body weight (both up and down).

It is necessary to systematically study the state of the thyroid gland in cases where such problems have been identified:

• an increase in the size of the organ;
• hormonal imbalance;
• violation of the menstrual cycle;
• genetic predisposition to diseases of the endocrine system;
• the need for a long time to take hormonal drugs.

In addition, the doctor may recommend a systematic (prophylactic) ultrasound examination if the patient is over 40 years old. Regarding the frequency of diagnostics, here you need to remember a few important nuances:

• if there are complaints and concomitant diseases of the endocrine system - once every 5-6 months;
• if the patient belongs to a risk group (for example, his work is associated with substances or conditions harmful to health) - once every six months;
• if a person is 40-50 years old - once every 3-4 years;
• if a person is over 50 years old - once every 2 years.

If necessary, monitor the effectiveness of therapy, diagnostics can be performed once a month (it all depends on the specific disease and its severity).

According to statistics, today almost 25% of the world's population suffers from certain diseases of the endocrine system. Therefore, experts strongly recommend that you undergo an ultrasound examination of the important gland if you have never had it before. By identifying the problem at an early stage, it will be easier to solve.

PRICES FOR THYROID USG

In the sanatorium-resort complex Svityaz, you can undergo an ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland at a price of 450 hryvnias (with a detailed transcript of the ultrasound). But it is better to sign up for a comprehensive study of the organ with a consultation with a qualified endocrinologist (from 750 UAH). If it is necessary to undergo additional examinations, the best option would be a comprehensive ultrasound diagnostics - the study of the state of the thyroid gland and abdominal organs (cost 550 UAH). For details and answers to your questions, please contact our manager at the numbers listed above. The consultation is free.

REVIEWS ABOUT THYROID USG

Usually, the reviews about the procedure are extremely positive, since the technique is highly informative and helps to cope with many serious diseases in the early stages. In addition, during the study, the patient does not experience any discomfort or pain.