What Is a Thyroid Collar?

Thyroid collars play a vital role in radiation safety during medical imaging and interventional procedures. Designed to protect one of the body’s most radiation-sensitive organs, thyroid collars are essential for radiology professionals, physicians, surgeons, and patients who are exposed to diagnostic or interventional radiation. Understanding what a thyroid collar is, how it works, and how to use and maintain it properly is key to ensuring safety and regulatory compliance in today’s imaging environments.

Why Is It Important?

A thyroid collar—sometimes called a thyroid shield—is a protective garment made with lead or lead-equivalent materials. It is worn around the neck to shield the thyroid gland from ionizing radiation and scatter during imaging procedures such as X-ray, fluoroscopy, and CT-guided exams. The thyroid gland is highly sensitive to radiation exposure. Even relatively low doses can increase the risk of long-term thyroid disorders, including cancer. Because of this sensitivity, radiation safety guidelines strongly emphasize protecting the neck whenever radiation exposure is possible. A properly worn thyroid collar helps block stray radiation, significantly reducing the dose received by the thyroid and supporting safe working conditions for staff and patients alike.

How Is a Thyroid Collar Used?

Thyroid collars are worn snugly around the neck and are usually secured with Velcro or adjustable fasteners. They are most often used together with lead aprons or vests to provide full upper-body radiation protection. For healthcare professionals, thyroid collars are part of standard personal protective equipment when working in areas where radiation exposure is frequent or prolonged. For patients, thyroid collars provide an extra layer of protection during imaging of the head, neck, or chest when shielding does not interfere with diagnostic quality or body part being imaged.

Best Practices for Use

• Proper fit: The collar should sit comfortably around the neck without being tight or restrictive.

• Correct positioning: It should cover the thyroid area while staying out of the imaging field. (for patients)

• Use with other shielding: Thyroid collars should always be used in combination with lead aprons or other protective garments.

Are Thyroid Collars Safe?

Yes. Thyroid collars are designed specifically to reduce radiation exposure while remaining comfortable and easy to wear. When fitted properly, they provide effective shielding without interfering with movement or workflow. Research shows that thyroid shielding can dramatically reduce radiation dose to the neck, helping limit cumulative exposure over time. For staff who work around radiation daily, this protection is especially important.

How Should Thyroid Collars Be Cleaned?

Because thyroid collars are worn close to the skin and frequently shared between users, proper cleaning and disinfection are essential for infection control. Over time, protective garments can collect bacteria, germs, and bodily fluids. Routine cleaning helps protect both staff and patients while also extending the life of the garment.

Recommended Cleaning Steps

1. Use approved disinfectant wipes that are safe for radiation protection garments.

2. Wipe the entire surface of the collar, including seams and edges.

3. Allow to dry completely by hanging or laying flat without creases.

4. Clean after each use to prevent buildup of bacteria and contaminants.

5. Schedule periodic deep cleaning as part of a comprehensive radiation safety program.

Proper maintenance helps ensure thyroid collars remain hygienic, effective, and compliant with infection control standards.

Can You Wear a Thyroid Collar Someone Else Used?

Yes — as long as it has been properly cleaned and disinfected. In medical environments, shared protective equipment is common, but strict hygiene protocols must be followed between uses. Facilities should have clear procedures for disinfecting radiation protection garments, and staff should never wear a collar that has not been cleaned according to policy.

Choosing the Right Thyroid Collar

Not all thyroid collars are the same. When selecting a thyroid collar, it is important to consider:

• Proper fit and adjustability

• Lead or lead-equivalent protection level

• Comfort and style

• Ease of cleaning and maintenance

Modern lead-equivalent materials provide excellent radiation protection while being lighter and more comfortable than traditional lead.

Why Z&Z Medical Is Your Radiation Protection Partner

At Z&Z Medical, radiation protection is more than a product — it’s a system. We work with leading manufacturers to provide high-quality thyroid collars and full radiation protection solutions designed for real-world clinical use.

Our team helps facilities select the right garments for their staff, patient population, and workflow so they can stay compliant, safe, and confident.

Protect What Matters Most

The thyroid is one of the most radiation-sensitive organs in the body. A properly fitted, well-maintained thyroid collar is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce unnecessary exposure. Whether you are protecting staff or patients, investing in quality radiation protection helps ensure safety today — and for years to come.

If you need thyroid collars or complete radiation protection solutions, Z&Z Medical is here to help. Email us at info@zzzmedical.com

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.

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)

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)

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)