Private Thyroid & Neck Ultrasound
Private Thyroid & Neck Ultrasound Scan – £125
Rapid Access to Private Thyroid and Neck Imaging
The Blackheath Clinic provides private thyroid and neck ultrasound scans for adults requiring investigation of a thyroid lump, thyroid enlargement, neck lump, swelling or other appropriate superficial neck abnormality.
Ultrasound provides detailed images of the thyroid gland and surrounding superficial structures and is commonly used to assess thyroid nodules, goitre and other thyroid abnormalities.
It can also be used to investigate certain palpable lumps or swellings within the neck and assess structures such as superficial lymph nodes where clinically appropriate.
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No GP referral required -
Experienced diagnostic sonographers
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Doctor-led clinic
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Rapid appointments available
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Formal diagnostic report
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Private Thyroid & Neck Ultrasound
£125
What Is a Thyroid & Neck Ultrasound?
A thyroid and neck ultrasound is a non-invasive diagnostic examination that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce detailed images of the thyroid gland and appropriate surrounding structures.
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the front of the neck. Ultrasound can assess its size, shape and appearance and identify structural abnormalities such as thyroid nodules and cysts.
Ultrasound can also be used to assess certain other superficial lumps and abnormalities within the neck.
The examination does not use ionising radiation and generally requires no special preparation.
Why Might I Need a Thyroid Ultrasound?
A thyroid ultrasound may be appropriate if you have:
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A lump in the thyroid
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A lump at the front of the neck
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Thyroid enlargement
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A suspected goitre
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A known thyroid nodule requiring reassessment
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A thyroid cyst
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A change in the size of a known thyroid lump
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A neck swelling
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An abnormality identified during clinical examination
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A previously identified thyroid abnormality requiring follow-up
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Certain thyroid abnormalities identified incidentally on other imaging
If you’re unsure whether thyroid ultrasound is the appropriate investigation, our team can advise before booking or you can arrange an assessment with one of our private GPs.
What Is a Thyroid & Neck Ultrasound?
A thyroid ultrasound can assess:
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The size and shape of the thyroid gland
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The overall appearance of thyroid tissue
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Thyroid enlargement or goitre
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Thyroid nodules
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Thyroid cysts
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The number and location of thyroid nodules
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Ultrasound characteristics of individual nodules
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Certain surrounding structures
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Cervical lymph nodes where clinically appropriate
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Other abnormalities visible on ultrasound
If an abnormality is identified, the ultrasound findings can help determine whether further clinical assessment, surveillance or specialist investigation is appropriate.
Ultrasound
Our Ultrasound
Ultrasound for a Thyroid Nodule
A thyroid nodule is a lump or area of abnormal tissue within the thyroid gland.
Thyroid nodules are common and many are benign. Ultrasound is an important investigation because it can provide detailed information about a nodule’s:
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Size
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Location
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Composition
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Shape
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Margins
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Echogenicity
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Calcification where present
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Other ultrasound characteristics
These features can help determine whether a nodule can simply be monitored or whether further specialist assessment or investigation should be considered.
I Have Found a Lump in My Thyroid – Do I Need an Ultrasound?
A new lump or persistent swelling within the thyroid or front of the neck should be appropriately assessed.
Ultrasound can determine whether there is a structural abnormality within the thyroid and provide detailed information about its ultrasound appearance.
Many thyroid lumps and nodules are benign, but a new or changing thyroid lump should not simply be ignored.
Depending on the ultrasound findings and your clinical history, further assessment may include thyroid blood tests, specialist review or fine-needle aspiration/cytology where indicated.
Because The Blackheath Clinic also provides private GP services and blood testing, we can assist with these next steps where appropriate.
Private Ultrasound for a Neck Lump
Ultrasound can also be useful in assessing certain superficial neck lumps and swellings.
A patient may arrange a neck ultrasound because they have noticed:
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A new neck lump
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A persistent swelling
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An enlarged superficial lymph node
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A lump beneath the skin
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A swelling that has increased in size
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A previously identified neck abnormality requiring follow-up
Ultrasound can provide information about the location and characteristics of many superficial neck abnormalities and may help determine whether further investigation is required.
Can Ultrasound Assess Enlarged Lymph Nodes?
Yes. Ultrasound can assess the size and ultrasound appearance of lymph nodes within accessible areas of the neck.
Lymph nodes can become enlarged for many reasons, including infection and inflammation. Occasionally, their appearance may require further investigation.
Ultrasound can help characterise a lymph node, but imaging alone cannot always determine its cause.
Depending on the clinical history and ultrasound findings, further medical assessment, blood tests, repeat imaging or specialist investigation may be recommended.
Thyroid Blood Tests
Do I Need Blood Tests as Well as an Ultrasound?
Ultrasound assesses the structure of the thyroid gland. Blood tests assess how the thyroid is functioning.
These answer different clinical questions.
Depending on your symptoms and medical history, thyroid blood tests may include measurements such as TSH and free thyroid hormones, with additional tests where clinically indicated.
The Blackheath Clinic provides onsite blood testing and private GP assessment, so these can be arranged separately where appropriate.
This is another excellent advantage of your clinic model and potentially creates secondary revenue from the ultrasound patient.
Can Ultrasound Tell Whether a Thyroid Nodule Is Cancerous?
Ultrasound can assess a thyroid nodule for features that help determine its level of suspicion, but ultrasound alone cannot definitively determine whether every thyroid nodule is benign or malignant.
Where appropriate, ultrasound findings can be used to help decide whether a nodule requires:
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No further action
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Ultrasound surveillance
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Specialist assessment
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Fine-needle aspiration or biopsy
This is important wording. I would avoid advertising the service as a “thyroid cancer scan.” What we’re selling is rapid diagnostic assessment of a thyroid abnormality, with an onward pathway where necessary.
Our Patient Review
I was understandably very worried and was able to book an appointment within just a couple of hours. From the moment we met him, Dr Mac Sweeney was kind, reassuring, professional and genuinely caring. He took the time to listen, explained everything clearly, and made us feel that my husband was in very safe hands.
What impressed me most was that his care did not stop when we left the consultation. He followed up on several occasions to check on my husband's progress, prescribed more medicine and even went out of his way to provide a letter for our insurance company, which was incredibly helpful.
In a world where good service can sometimes feel hard to find, Dr Mac Sweeney demonstrated a level of compassion and personal attention that was truly exceptional. The fee was also very reasonable, especially given the time, care and support we received.
I would wholeheartedly recommend Dr Mac Sweeney to anyone needing medical assistance and will always be grateful for the kindness he showed to both of us. If I lived in London I would most certainly subscribe to his membership scheme so he could deal with all my family's medical needs.
The clinic has a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, with a fresh, calming scent that immediately creates a welcoming environment. Everything was explained clearly and professionally, making the whole experience completely stress-free.
I particularly appreciated the expert advice and felt comfortable throughout. I would highly recommend The Blackheath Clinic to anyone looking for a professional, patient-focused service.
As I entered the tastefully curated space, I encountered one of the rarest of things: a polite, smiling and genuinely welcoming receptionist. In fact, she was so warm and courteous that I briefly wondered whether I had wandered into an upmarket spa by mistake.
Then I met Dr Sweeney. He was charming, courteous, friendly and thoroughly professional, with the kind of bedside manner that reminds you what general practice can be at its best: attentive, humane and quietly confident. He came across as someone who takes real pride in his work and genuinely cares for his patients.
The whole experience felt like stepping back into a time when patients were warmly received and doctors truly doctored. As I was leaving, Dr Sweeney mentioned that he was off on a home visit. A GP doing a home visit in 2026? I was so astonished I nearly needed examining all over again.
Join this practice quickly before word gets out and the list fills up. This is care delivered by people who genuinely care, and that feels all too rare these days
I had lip filler and RRS Long Lasting skin boosters, and she took the time to explain everything clearly, answer all my questions, and ensure I felt confident about the treatments. Her attention to detail and gentle approach really stood out, and I couldn’t be happier with the results.
Dr Micha Plugaru truly combines expertise with a warm, personal touch. I would highly recommend her to anyone considering aesthetic treatments — you’re in the safest and most caring hands.
Can I Have a Normal Thyroid Blood Test and Still Have a Thyroid Nodule?
Yes.
Thyroid function blood tests measure how well the thyroid is functioning but do not provide an image of its structure.
It is therefore possible to have normal thyroid function tests while also having a thyroid nodule or another structural thyroid abnormality.
Where a thyroid lump or enlargement is present, ultrasound may therefore still be appropriate even when thyroid function blood tests are normal.
What Can a Thyroid & Neck Ultrasound Detect?
Depending on the reason for the examination, ultrasound may identify or assess:
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Thyroid nodules
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Thyroid cysts
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Multinodular thyroid changes
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Thyroid enlargement
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Structural changes within the thyroid
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Certain superficial neck lumps
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Enlarged or abnormal-appearing cervical lymph nodes
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Other abnormalities visible on ultrasound
Ultrasound cannot diagnose every cause of a neck lump or thyroid problem. Further blood tests, specialist assessment, biopsy or other imaging may sometimes be required.
Preparing for Your Thyroid & Neck Ultrasound
Do I Need to Prepare for the Scan?
There is generally no special preparation required for a thyroid or neck ultrasound.
You can eat and drink normally and take your usual medication unless you have been advised otherwise.
It can be helpful to wear clothing that allows easy access to the front and sides of the neck.
If you have previous thyroid ultrasound reports, blood-test results or specialist correspondence, please bring these with you where available.
Do I Need a GP Referral?
No Referral Required
In most cases, patients can book a private thyroid or neck ultrasound directly without a GP referral.
If your GP or another healthcare professional has recommended an ultrasound, please bring any relevant referral letter, previous ultrasound reports or thyroid blood-test results where available.
If you are unsure whether ultrasound is the appropriate investigation for your symptoms, please contact us before booking.
Your Ultrasound Report
A formal diagnostic ultrasound report will be prepared following your examination.
Depending on the findings, you may be advised that:
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No further investigation is required
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Thyroid blood tests would be helpful
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Repeat ultrasound or surveillance is appropriate
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GP assessment is recommended
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Specialist thyroid or endocrinology assessment should be considered
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Fine-needle aspiration or biopsy may be appropriate
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Further imaging or investigation is required
Because The Blackheath Clinic is a doctor-led medical clinic, we can also arrange private GP assessment, thyroid blood testing and onward specialist referral where appropriate.
This is consistent with the integrated diagnostic pathway already described on your main ultrasound page.
A new or persistent neck lump should be medically assessed, particularly if it is increasing in size, hard or fixed, or associated with other concerning symptoms.
Patients should seek prompt medical assessment if a neck swelling is associated with:
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Difficulty swallowing
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Difficulty breathing
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Persistent hoarseness or voice change
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Rapid enlargement
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Unexplained weight loss
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Significant systemic symptoms
Ultrasound may form part of the investigation, but patients with concerning symptoms may require direct medical or specialist assessment rather than relying on ultrasound alone.
How Much Does a Private Thyroid & Neck Ultrasound Cost?
Thyroid & Neck Ultrasound – £125
A private thyroid or neck ultrasound at The Blackheath Clinic costs £125, including the ultrasound examination and formal diagnostic report.
Private Thyroid & Neck Ultrasound – £125
No referral required.
Why Choose The Blackheath Clinic?
The Blackheath Clinic provides diagnostic ultrasound within a professional, doctor-led private medical clinic.
Rapid appointments available
Experienced diagnostic sonographers
Modern ultrasound equipment
Formal diagnostic reports
Private GP appointments available
Thyroid blood testing onsite
