Oversized Thyroid Collar - TSO

September is Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month

As a radiology professional, protecting the thyroid gland from scatter and direct radiation is crucial. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the throat that uses iodine to produce hormones regulating heart rate, body temperature, metabolism, and calcium levels in the blood. Given the risk factors for thyroid cancer, including radiation exposure and family history, it’s important to minimize these risks using thyroid collars.

Thyroid shields are highly effective in reducing the risk of thyroid cancer from radiation exposure during procedures. They can decrease the effective dose by 2.5 times and cut total exposure by nearly 50%. To ensure adequate protection, these shields should have at least 0.5-mm lead equivalent thickness for neck and thyroid protection.

However, some healthcare professionals wear thyroid shields loosely or not at all. Wearing the shield snugly is essential for optimal protection. Regular inspections for damage are also important, much like those conducted for aprons.

Although the exact risk of scattered radiation to the thyroid is still unknown, protecting this gland is vital due to its susceptibility to scatter radiation when a shield is not worn. For more detailed information, refer to the American Thyroid Association's Policy Statement on Thyroid Shielding During Diagnostic Medical and Dental Radiology.

Z&Z Medical offers a variety of thyroid collar styles designed for maximum protection and comfort in the field of radiology, including a magnetic thyroid collar that prevent hair tangling.

Visit our website today to order your own personal thyroid collar.

January is Thyroid Awareness Month, and it is a good time to educate ourselves about how to protect the Thyroid and the measures we can take to protect ourselves from radiation exposure during x-ray procedures. One important measure is the use of thyroid collars, which are designed to protect the thyroid gland from radiation exposure during x-ray procedures.

The thyroid gland is located in the neck and is responsible for producing hormones that regulate metabolism and other important functions in the body. It is also located close to the x-ray beam, which means that it is vulnerable to radiation exposure during x-ray procedures.

Thyroid collars are a simple but effective way to protect the thyroid gland from radiation exposure during x-ray procedures. They are made of lead or other radiation-blocking material and are worn around the neck to shield the thyroid gland from the x-ray beam.

It is important for all x-ray technologists and other personnel who work around x-ray to wear thyroid collars whenever they are in the vicinity of an x-ray beam. This includes not only when they are actively performing x-ray procedures, but also when they are in the room where x-ray procedures are being performed.

In addition to wearing thyroid collars, it is also important for x-ray technologists and other personnel to follow all other recommended safety measures to protect themselves from radiation exposure. This includes wearing lead aprons and other protective gear, as well as following proper safety protocols when setting up and using x-ray equipment.

Overall, the use of thyroid collars is an important part of ensuring the safety of x-ray technologist and other personnel who work in the field of radiology. By taking this simple precaution, we can help to protect ourselves and others from radiation exposure and reduce the risk of developing thyroid cancer or other radiation-related health problems.

January is Thyroid Awareness Month, and it is a good time to educate ourselves about how to protect the Thyroid and the measures we can take to protect ourselves from radiation exposure during x-ray procedures. One important measure is the use of thyroid collars, which are designed to protect the thyroid gland from radiation exposure during x-ray procedures.

The thyroid gland is located in the neck and is responsible for producing hormones that regulate metabolism and other important functions in the body. It is also located close to the x-ray beam, which means that it is vulnerable to radiation exposure during x-ray procedures.

Thyroid collars are a simple but effective way to protect the thyroid gland from radiation exposure during x-ray procedures. They are made of lead or other radiation-blocking material and are worn around the neck to shield the thyroid gland from the x-ray beam.

It is important for all x-ray technologists and other personnel who work around x-ray to wear thyroid collars whenever they are in the vicinity of an x-ray beam. This includes not only when they are actively performing x-ray procedures, but also when they are in the room where x-ray procedures are being performed.

In addition to wearing thyroid collars, it is also important for x-ray technologists and other personnel to follow all other recommended safety measures to protect themselves from radiation exposure. This includes wearing lead aprons and other protective gear, as well as following proper safety protocols when setting up and using x-ray equipment.

Overall, the use of thyroid collars is an important part of ensuring the safety of x-ray technologist and other personnel who work in the field of radiology. By taking this simple precaution, we can help to protect ourselves and others from radiation exposure and reduce the risk of developing thyroid cancer or other radiation-related health problems.

September is Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month

If you are a radiology professional, it’s very important to protect this sensitive gland from scatter and direct radiation. According to the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, 52,890 people living in the United States will be diagnosed with thyroid cancer this year. The good news is the five-year survival rate for this type of cancer is 98.3%.  Exposure to radiation and a family history of thyroid issues are risk factors for thyroid cancer and women are diagnosed with thyroid cancer significantly more than men.

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the throat. The gland uses iodine, a mineral found in some foods and in iodized salt, to help make several hormones that control heart rate, body temperature, metabolism, and the amount of calcium in the blood. If you are a radiology professional, it’s very important to protect this gland from scatter and direct radiation through the use of Thyroid collars. Thyroid shields are the best way to minimize the risk of thyroid cancer from radiation exposure during procedures. The annual maximum permissible dose recommended to the thyroid is 300 mSv and a thyroid shield can reduce the effective dose by 2.5 times and the total exposure by almost 50%. It’s important that these shields have at least 0.5-mm lead equivalent thickness for neck and thyroid protection.

While thyroid shields provide effective protection to the thyroid, they do have some limitations. For example, some health care professionals wear thyroid shields loosely or not at all because they are uncomfortable when worn tightly and properly. However, despite this discomfort, wearing the thyroid shield snuggly has a greater effect on protection for the thyroid gland.

The precise risk of scattered radiation to the thyroid is still unknown.  However, considering the stochastic effects, protection of the thyroid gland is essential because it can be highly exposed to scatter radiation if a thyroid shield is not worn. A thyroid shield should also be checked for damage with an annual inspection, like that for aprons.[1]

If you are interested in reading more about Thyroid shielding, there is a Policy Statement on Thyroid Shielding During Diagnostic Medical and Dental Radiology from the American Thyroid Association.  Reference link is below. [2]

 Z&Z Medical carries a wide array of thyroid collar styles to provide the best protection and optimal comfort while working in the field of Radiology. We even care the NEW Magnetic Thyroid collars that don’t tangle your hair when you put  it on. Don’t become a statistic. Protect your Thyroid Gland by wearing a Thyroid Collar. To learn more about Thyroid Cancer Awareness month –  September Is Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month Free Materials Available Year-Round | ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association, Inc.

[1] Radiation safety: a focus on lead aprons and thyroid shields in interventional pain management (nih.gov)

[2] ABS1223_policy_statement.pdf (thyroid.org)