Thyroid and Parathyroid Ultrasound

A thyroid and parathyroid Reference ultrasound Opens New Window is an imaging test to check the Reference thyroid gland Opens New Window and Reference parathyroid glands Opens New Window. A thyroid ultrasound can help measure the size and shape of the thyroid gland, but it cannot tell how well the thyroid gland is working. Ultrasound also may be used to check the four parathyroid glands that lie behind or next to the thyroid. See a picture of the Reference thyroid gland and parathyroid glands Opens New Window Reference Opens New Window.

The thyroid gland makes a hormone called thyroxine that controls how fast the body converts food into energy (Reference metabolism Opens New Window). Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is made by the parathyroid glands and controls the amount of calcium and phosphorus in the blood.

During a thyroid and parathyroid ultrasound, a small handheld instrument called a transducer is passed back and forth over the neck to form a picture of the thyroid gland and parathyroid glands.

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