Thyroid and Parathyroid Ultrasound in San Antonio

If you have a thyroid nodule, neck swelling, abnormal thyroid lab results, or elevated calcium levels, your doctor may recommend an ultrasound of the thyroid or parathyroid glands.

Thyroid and parathyroid ultrasounds are safe, noninvasive imaging tests that create detailed images of glands and structures in the neck. Endocrinologists use them to:

• Evaluate thyroid structure
• Investigate abnormalities
• Guide endocrine care

We offer thyroid and parathyroid ultrasound imaging in San Antonio to help evaluate thyroid nodules, gland enlargement, and structural concerns affecting endocrine health.

Ultrasound imaging of the thyroid and parathyroid glands uses sound waves instead of radiation to create images of structures in the neck. The sound waves bounce off internal tissues and create images on a screen, allowing your doctor to evaluate the thyroid gland and sometimes identify enlarged parathyroid glands.

Ultrasound does not measure hormone levels. Blood tests are needed to evaluate thyroid or parathyroid function.

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland located at the front of the neck that wraps around the trachea or windpipe. It has two lobes connected by a thin bridge called the isthmus.

The thyroid produces hormones, called T3 and T4, that regulate many body functions, including:

• Metabolism
• Energy use
• Temperature
• Heart rate

The parathyroid glands are four small endocrine glands located behind the thyroid. Their main role is regulating calcium levels in the bloodstream through the release of parathyroid hormone (PTH).

When one of these glands becomes enlarged or overactive, it can cause elevated calcium levels in the blood, a condition known as hyperparathyroidism. Ultrasound imaging can sometimes help identify enlarged parathyroid glands or parathyroid adenomas that may require further evaluation or treatment.

An ultrasound provides valuable structural information and images of:

• The right and left thyroid lobes
• The isthmus
• Thyroid size and shape
• Nodules or cysts within the gland
• Blood flow patterns, when Doppler imaging is used
• Surrounding cervical lymph nodes
• Adjacent soft tissues of the neck
• Enlarged parathyroid glands or suspected parathyroid adenomas

This information helps your endocrinologist understand what may be causing symptoms.

Doctors use thyroid ultrasound when there is a clear clinical reason. It’s not typically performed as routine screening in people without thyroid symptoms or exam findings. Your endocrinologist may order this test to:

• Evaluate thyroid nodules found on exam or imaging
• Assess goiter or thyroid enlargement
• Monitor known thyroid nodules over time
• Follow patients with thyroid cancer
• Support evaluation of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or Graves’ disease
• Help determine whether a fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy is needed

If a thyroid nodule looks suspicious or grows beyond a certain size, your doctor may recommend a fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy. This procedure uses a thin needle to remove a small sample of cells from the nodule for testing.

Ultrasound often guides the needle to the exact area that needs to be sampled. This helps improve accuracy. After the sample is collected, a specialist called a pathologist examines the cells to see if the nodule appears benign or cancerous. The results help guide your treatment.

A thyroid or parathyroid ultrasound is simple and typically takes about 20 to 30 minutes. During the exam:

• You will lie on your back with your neck slightly extended
• A clear gel is placed on the skin over the thyroid area
• A small handheld probe moves gently across the neck to capture images
• You may be asked to swallow or hold still briefly during imaging

An ultrasound is painless. The gel may feel cool at first, but the procedure is otherwise very comfortable. There is no radiation exposure, no preparation, and no recovery time. You can eat, drink, and take medications normally before and after the test.

Ultrasound does not replace lab testing, but it works together with lab results to support a diagnosis. In many endocrinology practices, thyroid and parathyroid ultrasounds are performed and interpreted directly by endocrinologists who specialize in hormone-related disorders. Your doctor looks at imaging results, lab tests, symptoms, and exam findings to create a treatment plan.

Our San Antonio endocrinology team uses advanced ultrasound imaging and comprehensive lab testing to help identify the cause of your symptoms and create a personalized treatment plan. Schedule your thyroid or parathyroid ultrasound today.

1. Does a thyroid ultrasound diagnose thyroid or parathyroid disease?

No. Ultrasound can identify structural abnormalities in the thyroid or parathyroid glands, but it cannot confirm a diagnosis on its own. Blood tests, biopsy, or additional imaging may be needed depending on the condition being evaluated.

2. Do I need to prepare for a thyroid ultrasound?

No special preparation is required. You can eat, drink, and take medications normally before your appointment.

3. Can ultrasound detect Hashimoto’s or Graves’ disease?

Ultrasound can show changes in the thyroid that may point to autoimmune disease. But blood tests are needed to confirm the diagnosis by checking hormone levels and antibodies.

4. When is a biopsy recommended?

Your doctor may suggest a biopsy if a nodule looks suspicious or becomes large enough to need further testing. Ultrasound helps guide the needle to the right spot.