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Thyroid uptake is a diagnostic procedure utilized to assess the functional capacity of the thyroid gland. This evaluation is crucial for understanding how well the thyroid is performing its role in regulating metabolism and other bodily functions. The procedure involves measuring the amount of radioactive iodine that the thyroid gland absorbs, which provides insight into its activity level. The uptake measurements can be conducted as either single or multiple assessments, depending on the clinical requirements. During the procedure, patients are administered radioactive iodine isotopes, specifically I-123 or I-131, in either liquid or capsule form. This administration typically occurs approximately four hours prior to the imaging process. A specialized stationary probe is then placed over the neck area to capture images of the thyroid gland, allowing for a detailed analysis of iodine absorption. In many cases, a follow-up uptake measurement is performed 24 hours post-administration to gather additional data on the thyroid's function. Furthermore, the procedure may include additional imaging after the administration of substances that either stimulate or suppress thyroid activity, providing a comprehensive evaluation of the gland's performance. The results of these imaging studies are meticulously reviewed by a physician, who then provides a written interpretation of the findings, contributing to the overall understanding of the patient's thyroid health.
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The thyroid uptake procedure is indicated for various clinical scenarios where assessment of thyroid function is necessary. The following conditions may warrant this evaluation:
The thyroid uptake procedure involves several key steps to ensure accurate measurement of iodine absorption by the thyroid gland. The following outlines the procedural steps:
After the thyroid uptake procedure, patients may be monitored for any immediate reactions to the radioactive iodine. Typically, there are no significant post-procedure care requirements, and patients can resume normal activities shortly after the imaging is completed. However, it is essential for the physician to review the images and provide a written interpretation of the findings, which will guide further management or treatment decisions based on the results of the uptake measurements. Patients may be advised to follow up with their healthcare provider to discuss the results and any necessary next steps in their care.
| Short Descr | THYROID UPTAKE MEASUREMENT | Medium Descr | THYROID UPTAKE SINGLE/MULTIPLE QUANT MEASUREMENT | Long Descr | Thyroid uptake, single or multiple quantitative measurement(s) (including stimulation, suppression, or discharge, when performed) | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 1 - Diagnostic Tests for Radiology Services | Multiple Procedures (51) | 0 - No payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply. | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 0 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure... | Co-Surgeons (62) | 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Team Surgery (66) | 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | Procedure or Service, Not Discounted when Multiple | ASC Payment Indicator | Radiology service paid separately when provided integral to a surgical procedure on ASC list; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight. | Type of Service (TOS) | 4 - Diagnostic Radiology | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | I1E - Standard imaging - nuclear medicine | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 209 - Radioisotope scan and function studies |
| 26 | Professional component: certain procedures are a combination of a physician or other qualified health care professional component and a technical component. when the physician or other qualified health care professional component is reported separately, the service may be identified by adding modifier 26 to the usual procedure number. | X5 | Diagnostic services requested by another clinician: for reporting services by a clinician who furnishes care to the patient only as requested by another clinician or subsequent and related services requested by another clinician; this modifier is reported for patient relationships that may not be adequately captured by the above alternative categories; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the radiologist's interpretation of an imaging study requested by another clinician | MH | Unknown if ordering professional consulted a clinical decision support mechanism for this service, related information was not provided to the furnishing professional or provider | 59 | Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25. | 77 | Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a basic procedure or service was repeated by another physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 77 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service. | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | ME | The order for this service adheres to appropriate use criteria in the clinical decision support mechanism consulted by the ordering professional | MG | The order for this service does not have applicable appropriate use criteria in the qualified clinical decision support mechanism consulted by the ordering professional | Q6 | Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area | TC | Technical component; under certain circumstances, a charge may be made for the technical component alone; under those circumstances the technical component charge is identified by adding modifier 'tc' to the usual procedure number; technical component charges are institutional charges and not billed separately by physicians; however, portable x-ray suppliers only bill for technical component and should utilize modifier tc; the charge data from portable x-ray suppliers will then be used to build customary and prevailing profiles | XE | Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service |
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