Discharge Instructions for Fine-Needle Thyroid Biopsy

You had a procedure called fine-needle thyroid biopsy. This biopsy may be ordered to assess a nodule or cyst in your thyroid gland or enlargement of the thyroid. During the biopsy, a very thin needle is inserted through the skin into the gland. The needle is used to remove a small amount of tissue from the gland. Or the needle is used to drain fluid from a cyst. The tissue or fluid is then studied in a lab.

Home Care

• Avoid strenuous activity and lifting anything 10 pounds or more for 3 days after the procedure. You may resume normal daily activities 24 hours after the procedure.

• Remove the bandage 24 hours after the procedure.

• Wash the area with soap and water and pat dry every day. Look for signs of infection around the site. (redness, swelling, pain or drainage)

• You might have a little soreness following the needle biopsy.

• You may take Tylenol or your prescribed medicine for pain.

• Do not take aspirin, ibuprofen, Motrin, Aleve, Goody's or BC's for 3 days after the procedure.

• If you take medicine to thin your blood, ask your health care team when it is safe to start taking it again.

If you received anesthesia or any type of sedation, follow these instructions for the first 24 hours after the procedure.

• Do not drive or operate heavy machinery. You will need someone else to drive you home.

• Do not drink any alcohol.

• Do not make any important decisions or sign legal documents.

• Have someone stay with you.

Follow-Up Care

Your health care provider will receive the results of the biopsy in 3-7 days.

You will receive the results of the biopsy at your follow-up visit or your health care provider will call you.

Keep all follow-up appointments that are scheduled.

When to Call Your Health Care Provider

Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following:

• Bleeding that won’t stop

• Shortness of breath or trouble breathing

• Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher

• Increasing pain, redness, tenderness, or drainage at the biopsy site

• Swelling of the biopsy site

• Coughing up blood

• Difficulty swallowing