Ultrasound
An ultrasound is a non-invasive procedure used to take images of the neck and thyroid gland using sound waves. The patient lies on their back, stretching their neck back. The technician will put a gel on the neck, and then move a transducer (wand) over the area. The transducer gives off sound waves that are transmitted to a computer. The pattern formed produces an image.

This procedure is usually performed on patients who have a growth on the thyroid gland or when the thyroid gland feels larger than it should during a routine exam.

Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) Biopsy
An FNA biopsy uses a needle to extract thyroid cells and test them for thyroid disease or thyroid cancer.