Variation in the Thyroid Radioiodine Test: Effect on Rotation of Technologists

Abstract

The variations in results of the radioiodine thyroid uptake test performed by different technologists were evaluated. Twenty-nine thyroid uptake studies were performed on referred patients over a one-week period by three nuclear medicine technologists using a standardized technique, and the variations in thyroid uptakes were statistically expressed. Seven thyroid uptake studies had high coefficients of variation (greater than 10.0%). Of these seven studies, six had mean thyroid uptakes of less than 7.0%. In general, minimal variations in thyroid radioiodine uptakes were noted when nuclear medicine technologists were interchanged.