Thyroid nodules are abnormal cells which grow together to form one or more small lumps in the thyroid. Many thyroid nodules are found when a healthcare provider examines a person’s neck. Some are discovered by chance on a scan done for another reason. Most thyroid nodules are not cancer.
Thyroid nodules are classified based on characteristics such as:
A lot of the time, thyroid nodules do not cause any symptoms. If a nodule or group of nodules does cause symptoms, they can include:
In thyroid nodules that produce thyroid hormone, a person can have too much thyroid hormone in the body. They can then start to show symptoms associated with high thyroid hormone, including:
The exact cause of thyroid nodules is not known. However, some thyroid nodules are associated with the following:
Thyroid nodules are more common in:
If a healthcare provider is concerned about a patient’s thyroid, they will first do a thorough examination of the area. They will then request further testing, such as:
Many thyroid nodules do not cause complications. In those that do, some complications include:
Treatment of a thyroid nodule depends on the type the person has. For some thyroid nodules, no treatment is needed. A clinician will continue to periodically check the patient for further developments. Other treatment options can include:
Since the true cause of most thyroid nodules is unknown, it is difficult to know how to prevent them. Researchers have suggested that people with a family history of thyroid cancer get screened on a regular basis. Other general suggestions include quitting smoking and getting enough iodine in the diet (either by the foods they eat or via supplements).