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The difference between hot and cold thyroid nodules refers to the appearance of the thyroid when viewed by a Nuclear Medicine Thyroid Scan.
During a thyroid scan, the patient is given radioactive iodine which is taken orally. The radioactive iodine is absorbed into the bloodstream and gets picked up by functioning thyroid tissue. The thyroid utilizes iodine in its function of producing thyroid hormones.
With a Nuclear Medicine scan, the radioactive iodine acts like non-radioactive iodine and is absorbed by the thyroid gland to be used in the production of thyroid hormones. Therefore, functioning thyroid tissue will become radioactive by the absorption of the radioactive iodine. Areas of the thyroid which are overly functioning will pick up more radioactive iodine than normal tissue and are referred to as being "hot". Areas of the thyroid that are functioning less than normal or not at all will pick up less or none of the radioactive iodine. These areas are referred to as being "cold". With the use of special "cameras" the radioactive iodine is detected in the thyroid gland and a picture is formed. The "hot" areas will show up darker than normal tissue and the "cold" areas will show up as lighter than normal tissue or as completely blank areas.
The "hot" nodules are overly functioning thyroid tissue, very often palpable from the outer surface of the skin, and are sometimes cancerous tissue. The "cold" nodules are also sometimes palpable from the outer skin surface. These non-functioning areas can be scar tissue, cysts or a variety of non thyroid tissue infiltrating the thyroid gland.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoA thyroid scan basically gives a visual representation of the amount of iodine molecules taken up and organified by the thyroid gland (unless it is a technetium-99 scan, then it's tc-99 instead of iodine). A "hot" nodule is one that has a higher concentration of the radioiodine or technetium. It is called "hot" because in nuclear medicine (or radiology, per se) "hot" is what is used to describe something that is more radioactive relative to the environment. Conversely, a "cold" nodule is one that has a lower concentration of the radiopharmaceutical. The term "nodule" is used to describe an area of the thyroid gland that is different in anatomical structure than the remainder of the gland.
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Who nodule is more dangerous hot nodule or cold nodule?
Only a doctor can order the tests to determine if any thyroid nodule is dangerous. A thyroid uptake scan will help your doctor determine if your thyroid is hot (active) or cold (inactive).
What is a cold thyroid?
Thyroid nodules are often referred to as *cold* or *hot*. A cold nodule is not producing hormones. A hot nodule is producing hormones - usually too much.
Does a cold nodule in the thyroid mean cancer?
If an endocrinologist asks you to undergo a thyroid uptake scan, you will have to take a small amount of radioactive isotope that will get absorbed by the thyroid gland. Within 24 hours of swallowing the radioactive isotope, pictures will be taken of your thyroid. This test helps to determine if a thyroid nodule is an active part of the thyroid tissue or not. When the nodule comes back as 'cold' this means that it didn't absorb as much of the radioactive isotope; as it would be expected by tissue that is an active part of the thyroid gland. A 'cold' nodule doesn't necessarily mean that you have cancer. It just means that your doctor might want to undergo further testing to determine if there is a need to monitor the nodule or surgically remove it.
What does it mean if they find hot nodules after doing a thyroid scan uptake?
After performing a thyroid scan uptake, if it is determined that there is a hot nodule it typically means that the nodule is hyperfuncitioning. According to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists ThyroidAwareness.com website, "The scan tells whether the nodule is hyperfunctioning (a "hot" nodule), or taking up more radioactivity than normal thyroid tissue does; taking up the same amount as normal tissue (a "warm" nodule); or taking up less (a "cold" nodule). Because cancer is rarely found in hot nodules, a scan showing a hot nodule eliminates the need for fine needle biopsy. If a hot nodule causes hyperthyroidism, it can be treated with radioiodine or surgery."
Difference between cold souffl'e and bavarios?
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Investigating Thyroid Nodules?
Thyroid nodules are common outgrowths that develop on your thyroid gland. These lumps occur in approximately half of the planet's population. The precise cause of thyroid nodules is unknown. They are frequently associated with an iodine deficiency and in people with a family history of thyroid nodules. These outgrowths also occur in people with an existing thyroid disease. Your risk for developing this common nodule increases with age. Approximately 95% of these nodules are noncancerous. There are several indicators that a thyroid nodule is malignant. A nodule that is hard, fixed or fails to shrink after you receive thyroid hormone medication is suspicious and warrants further investigation. Blood tests, biopsies and ultrasounds can further clarify the status of your thyroid nodule. Your doctor will check your thyroid hormone to determine whether it is functioning as it should. Normal thyroid function does not rule out the possibility of cancer. During the biopsy, your physician will remove a minute portion of your thyroid gland for testing. An ultrasound is used to capture an image of your thyroid gland. The image allows physicians to determine the vascularity, shape, size and other characteristics of your thyroid. It can not definitively determine whether a thyroid gland is cancerous. A radioactive iodine scan also provides information on thyroid function. Your physician will instruct you to drink radioiodine. The level of iodine that your thyroid absorbs is a good indicator of its health. A nodule that doesn't absorb the iodine is classified as "cold". Approximately 10% of these nodules are cancerous. Benign nodules are usually asymptomatic, but some people report anxiety, shortness of breath and weight loss. Most nodules are discovered during regular neck exams or during diagnostic testing for other medical conditions. This indicates that the majority of people with thyroid nodules aren't aware that they have them. Most nodules escape detection because they are quite small. Others are readily apparent. You can see the nodule when you look at your throat in the mirror. These nodules can press against your windpipe and make it difficult for you to swallow, speak or breathe.
What are the symptoms of thyroid nodules?
Most thyroid problems don't have symptoms, but if you have a swelling or nodule that becomes large enough, it can be felt or even seen as a swelling in your neck. Most thyroid swellings are non-cancerous--but not all of them, so if you experience these symptoms, you should see a doctor immediately.
What is the difference between a cold and a bus driver?
The difference between a cold and a bus driver is a bus driver has a course to run and a cold has to run its course.
What is the difference between a rainy day and a bee with a cold?
There is no difference between a rainy day and a bee with a cold, because they both sting.
Difference between warm blood and cold blood?
A difference in temperature.
How should mr joke and what is the difference between a cold bee and Elmo?
I am not sure what you mean by mr joke and there is no difference between a cold bee and Elmo.
What is the difference between hot and cold extrusion?
one is hot and one is cold
