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A thyroid ultrasound looks at the thyroid gland in the front of your neck to check its size and any nodules or swelling. No preparation is usually needed.
Also called: Neck ultrasound, Thyroid scan, Thyroid nodule ultrasound, Goitre ultrasound
Find a clinic for your thyroid ultrasound
102 clinics offer bulk billing for ultrasound — eligibility varies
Where to get a thyroid ultrasound
104 clinics across Australia on Radly offer ultrasound.
Clinics for a thyroid ultrasound on Radly
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What is a thyroid ultrasound?
You lie on your back with a pillow under your shoulders so your neck is gently extended. The sonographer moves the probe over the front of your neck to look at both sides of the thyroid and the nearby lymph nodes.
Thyroid nodules are very common and most are harmless. Ultrasound describes their size and features, which helps your doctor decide whether simple monitoring is enough or whether a fine needle biopsy is worthwhile.
A thyroid ultrasound shows structure. It is different from a nuclear medicine thyroid scan, which shows how the gland is working, and from blood tests that measure thyroid hormones.
Why your doctor might request a thyroid ultrasound
- A lump or swelling in the neck
- Thyroid nodules found on another scan
- Enlarged thyroid (goitre)
- Abnormal thyroid blood tests
- Monitoring known nodules over time
Thyroid ultrasound: preparation, referral & Medicare
Preparing for your thyroid ultrasound
- No fasting or special preparation is usually needed.
- Wear a top with an open neckline and leave necklaces at home.
- Bring previous neck scan reports so nodules can be compared.
How long it takes: About 15–30 minutes
Referral, Medicare & bulk billing
A referral from your GP or specialist is needed for a Medicare rebate. Many clinics bulk bill thyroid ultrasound for eligible patients and some charge a gap. If a biopsy is recommended, it is booked separately. The clinic confirms billing when it accepts your booking request.
How it works
Get your referral
Most scans need a referral from your GP, specialist, or other health practitioner.
Compare clinics
Find clinics near you for your thyroid ultrasound and compare bulk billing, reviews, and location.
Send your request
Share your preferred timing and send the clinic your details and referral when available.
Clinic confirms
The clinic reviews your request and confirms your appointment and any preparation needed.
If the clinic hasn’t acknowledged your request after 24 hours, Radly will follow up. We check in by SMS during daytime hours where SMS is available and you haven’t opted out. Reply N if you haven’t been contacted and our team will follow up. Acknowledgment does not mean an appointment is booked.
Thyroid ultrasound FAQs
Are thyroid nodules usually cancer?
No. The large majority of thyroid nodules are benign. The ultrasound helps your doctor decide whether any further testing is needed.
Do I need to fast for a thyroid ultrasound?
No. You can eat, drink and take your usual medications.
What is the difference between a thyroid ultrasound and a thyroid scan?
Ultrasound shows the structure of the gland and any nodules. A nuclear medicine thyroid scan uses a small tracer to show how the gland is functioning.
How do I book a thyroid ultrasound online?
Choose a clinic on Radly, select Ultrasound as your scan, add your preferred timing and attach your referral, then send your booking request. The clinic contacts you to confirm the appointment and any preparation.
How soon can I get a thyroid ultrasound?
Appointments for ultrasound are usually 1–3 days, depending on the clinic and the exam. You can send a request on Radly at any time, and the clinic replies with its next available time.
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