78012 Thyroid uptake measurement
Also known as: Thyroid uptake test, Radioiodine uptake
Radioisotope measurement of thyroid uptake of radioiodine.
In Plain Language
Radioactive test to measure how much iodine the thyroid takes up
Clinical Context
Quantitative measurement of thyroid function using radioactive iodine. Assesses thyroid hormone synthesis and secretion.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 0.19 |
| Total RVU | 0.19 |
Est. Medicare Payment
National estimate based on 2026 CMS PFS Conversion Factor ($33.40). Actual payment varies by locality (GPCI adjustment).
Billing & Documentation
Radiology codes require a written order, clinical indication, and a formal interpretation report. The professional component (modifier -26) and technical component (modifier -TC) may be billed separately.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 0.19, this code ranks in the 9th percentile among Radiology codes — 4.3x below the median (0.81). The highest wRVU in this category is 11.57.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 78012?
CPT 78012 (Thyroid uptake measurement) is a Radiology code. Radioisotope measurement of thyroid uptake of radioiodine.
Who uses CPT code 78012?
CPT 78012 is used by Nuclear Medicine, Endocrinology. Quantitative measurement of thyroid function using radioactive iodine. Assesses thyroid hormone synthesis and secretion.
When is CPT 78012 used?
Quantitative measurement of thyroid function using radioactive iodine. Assesses thyroid hormone synthesis and secretion.
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CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. Data sourced from CMS Physician Fee Schedule RVU26A. Descriptions, synonyms, and clinical context are original content by RVU Edge.