Which radiopharmaceutical is primarily used for thyroid scans?

Iodine-123 is primarily used for thyroid scans due to its specific properties that make it ideal for evaluating thyroid function and imaging. This radiopharmaceutical is readily absorbed by the thyroid gland, allowing for clear visualization of thyroid activity and morphology. Unlike other isotopes, Iodine-123 has a favorable half-life and emits gamma rays that are optimal for imaging, leading to better diagnostic results in thyroid studies.

Iodine is an essential element for the production of thyroid hormones, and utilizing Iodine-123 allows healthcare professionals to assess both the uptake and distribution of iodine within the thyroid, which is crucial for diagnosing conditions like hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, and thyroid nodules. The ability to provide functional imaging of the thyroid is a key aspect of using Iodine-123 in practice.

Other radiopharmaceuticals listed, while useful in different areas of nuclear medicine, do not have the specific affinity for the thyroid gland that Iodine-123 possesses. Technetium-99m, for example, is more commonly used for various organ and tissue imaging but not specifically for thyroid evaluation. Thallium-201 and Carbon-11 have applications in other diagnostic imaging methodologies, but they are not employed for direct assessments of