Thyroid needle biopsy
thyroid FNA · fine needle aspiration of the thyroid · thyroid nodule biopsy
Using ultrasound to guide it, a thin needle takes cells from a thyroid lump, called a nodule, to see if it is harmless.
When an ultrasound finds a nodule of a certain size or with worrying features.
⏱ Duration: usually 15 to 20 minutes
Be sure to tell your doctor
How to prepare
- Food. Usually no special prep. A light breakfast is fine.
- Neck. No high collar and no jewelry around your neck.
What to bring
- Your referral
- The ultrasound report describing the nodule
- Thyroid hormone test results, if you have them
How it goes
- You lie on your back with a roll under your shoulders, so your head tilts back
- The doctor finds the nodule on ultrasound and cleans the skin
- Sometimes a local numbing injection is given
- Cells are taken with a thin needle a few times, a few seconds each
- You are asked not to swallow or talk while the needle is in
- A pad is pressed on the spot
What you'll feel
- It feels like a regular injection
- You may feel pressure in your neck
Afterwards
- Keep pressing the pad for 10 to 15 minutes
- A small bruise or soreness is normal and goes away in 1 to 2 days
- Results usually come in 5 to 10 days
Contact a doctor straight away if
- Neck swelling that grows fast, or trouble breathing or swallowing: call emergency services right away
Common questions
Can a biopsy spread the cells?
No, that is a myth. A needle biopsy is a standard, safe way to find out what a nodule is.