You have been advised to have an ultrasound guided Fine Needle Aspiration of your thyroid gland (FNA).
The thyroid gland is a vital hormone gland. It plays a major role in the metabolism, growth and development of the human body. It helps to regulate many body functions by constantly releasing a steady amount of thyroid hormones into the bloodstream.
Sometimes the thyroid gland becomes enlarged and becomes swollen/noticeable and so it may be necessary to do an FNA to try and find out the reason for this.
In order to do this procedure a fine needle is inserted through your skin into the thyroid gland which is located at the front of the base of your neck to remove some cells that can be sent to the laboratory for analysis.
Ultrasound guided FNA is generally considered a safe procedure, there is a small risk of bleeding where the needle has been inserted and you may experience some discomfort.
Having an ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration - patient information leaflet
Produced by The Clinical Radiology Department, December 2021.
Revision due December 2023. Version: 1.0
©The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust 2021. All rights reserved.
Information has been taken from the Royal College of Radiologists.