What is a parathyroid scan?
Parathyroid is a gland that produces parathyroid hormone, which plays a key role in the regulation of calcium levels. Parathyroid glands lie behind your thyroid. Precise calcium levels are important in the human body, since small changes can cause muscle and nerve problems. This exam will show the location of an overactive parathyroid gland and other conditions, such as:
- Hyperparathyroidism
- Increased calcium levels
- Parathyroid adenomas
What are the risks of a parathyroid scan?
The risk to other people is very low, so these scans are considered safe and effective ways to diagnose disease.
How does a parathyroid scan work?
First, a small amount of radioactive material is injected into a vein in your arm. Once the radiotracer is injected, a special camera is used to take 3 images of your parathyroid, each of these pictures takes 7 minutes.
90 minutes after the 1st set of images - the technologist will take the same 3 pictures that take 7 minutes each, then the technologist will do a SPECT scan. The SPECT scan is a 3D image of your neck, the cameras rotate around your neck and this image takes 20 minutes.
What should I expect after my parathyroid scan?
It usually take 24-48 hours for your doctor to receive a report. Drink plenty of fluids to help flush the radiotracer out of your body, what does not get flushed out of your body will decay out. There are no other restrictions.