Thermography and Thyroid: Spotting Thyroid Inflammation Without Radiation

Your thyroid is a vital organ. Located at the base of your neck, it helps regulate every organ in your body. Thyroid thermography can help assess its condition. An unhealthy gland can affect many aspects of your health, causing symptoms like weight changes, hair loss, anxiety, or depression.

Thyroiditis , or inflammation of the thyroid gland, includes a variety of disorders that can be permanent or temporary (for example, temporary thyroiditis is not uncommon after giving birth).

There are five major types of thyroiditis:

• Hashimoto's thyroiditis - An autoimmune disease that generally creates permanent hypothyroidism. It is treated with medication.
• Post-partum thyroiditis - It occurs after childbirth and has two phases. The thyrotoxic phase lasts one to three months and is linked to anxiety, insomnia, and weight loss. The following hypothyroid phase can last up to 12 months and causes fatigue and weight gain. Thyroid function returns to normal over time, with most patients recovering normal function within 12 to 18 months.
• Painless thyroiditis - Similar to post-partum thyroiditis, but not associated with childbirth.
• Subacute thyroiditis - This is accompanied by pain during the thyrotoxic phase. Again, most patients recover normal function within 12 to 18 months.
• Drug or radiation-induced thyroiditis - It resolves when the drug is stopped, but radiation-induced hypothyroidism is usually permanent.
• Acute or infectious thyroiditis - Caused by an infection and has symptoms including pain in the thyroid, thyroid enlargement, and hypothyroidism. These symptoms usually resolve once treated.

In some cases, thyroid inflammation is diagnosed symptomatically, based on the symptoms of hypo- or hyperthyroidism. However, a thyroid uptake and scan test may be done. There are two tests. The thyroid test is also known as a radioactive iodine uptake test. 

You will give a tiny amount of radioactive iodine, and then a probe will measure how radioactive your thyroid becomes. This can directly show whether your thyroid is overactive or underactive. Technicians perform the scan with radiotracers and a special camera to reveal your thyroid’s shape, size, and structure. It often checks for thyroid nodules, which are common and usually benign. However, in a small number of cases, they may be cancerous. The radiotracer is injected into a vein and travels through your system. 

These tests involve minor radiation exposure, similar to getting an X-ray. They can also be expensive. If you'd rather avoid excessive scanning or experimentation with medication, then there might be other options.

Thermography is a non-invasive technique that measures the infrared radiation emitted from the surface of your body, that is to say, it looks for hot and cold spots. The technician uses an ultra-sensitive thermal camera to create a thermogram of your skin. 

Experts then analyze the scan. While it's primarily used for breast health, it can also directly detect inflammation, which appears as heat. A thermography scan quickly and easily reveals whether your thyroid is inflamed or overactive. It's less invasive, involves no radiation or swallowing any annoying pills.

However, it cannot see internal structures and nodules in your thyroid (an ultrasound can also detect these structures), so it's not a tool for assessing whether thyroid nodules are benign or potentially a problem.

You should use it as a complementary method. For example, doctors might use it to check your thyroid if you're experiencing subacute or painless thyroid inflammation. It can help determine when to stop medication without relying on excessive imaging or radiation.

CT Thermography provides expert imaging services, including of your thyroid, to help assess your health and look for inflammation. Contact us to find out more or schedule an appointment today.