Diagnosed with thyroid nodules? Here’s what you need to know
Have you been told you have thyroid nodules after a neck x-ray or ultrasound? While it might sound scary, it’s important to understand what a nodule is and what it does – and doesn’t – mean for your health.
With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at this common thyroid condition.
What are thyroid nodules?
Thyroid nodules are growths that grow in the thyroid tissue. They can be solid or fluid-filled. These growths are quite common – many people have them without realising, and studies show that up to 35% of ultrasounds and 65% of autopsies will reveal thyroid nodules.
How are they diagnosed?
Thyroid nodules are typically found during a scan of the neck area such as a CT, MRI or X-ray. If they are found on physical exam and palpation, an ultrasound will be used to confirm the findings. This is also where the nodules will be classified as benign, indeterminate or high risk.
From there, further evaluation may be needed to determine more about the nodules. This can include blood tests to assess your thyroid function, a thyroid uptake scan (this assesses the thyroid’s function) and/or a fine needle biopsy.
A biopsy is used to determine if the nodules are benign or cancerous. It will take a small sample of the cells from the nodule, which will then be analysed.
What causes thyroid nodules?
There are several potential contributors to thyroid nodules, including:
Low iodine intake/deficiency
Inflammation
Exposure to radiation
Age and sex (women over 40 are at higher risk)
A family history of thyroid disease, particularly nodules and/or cancer
What are the symptoms of thyroid nodules?
Typically, nodules won’t cause obvious symptoms when they are small. However, sometimes nodules can grow and cause more noticeable symptoms, including:
Neck pain/discomfort
A goitre (enlarged thyroid gland)
Sore throat and a hoarse or husky voice
Difficulty swallowing
Should I be worried about having thyroid nodules?
95% of the time, thyroid nodules are benign. This means that unless they begin to grow and put pressure on the surrounding tissue, they are nothing to worry about!
However, 5% may be malignant. This is why your doctor will likely recommend a biopsy – to ensure your nodules aren’t thyroid cancer.
Treatment depends on the case
The size, number of nodules, risk of malignancy and whether they’re causing symptoms can all influence how your nodules are treated.
Benign nodules are often left untreated unless they are causing symptoms. In this case, ongoing monitoring is crucial, particularly if they grow over time. Your doctor will likely recommend that you get regular ultrasounds and blood tests to ensure that there aren’t any concerning changes to the nodule’s size or characteristics.
If they do require intervention, one preferred method is radiofrequency ablation (RFA). This is a less invasive treatment than thyroid surgery, where a needle is guided into the nodule and heats it to reduce its size. RFA may also be used for small papillary thyroid cancer nodules, as papillary cancer is slow-growing.
THE POWER IS IN YOUR HANDS
When you receive a thyroid disease diagnosis, there’s a good chance you’ll feel overwhelmed and powerless. It could even be that you’re not clear on what’s driving it or where it came from!
But even if you’re still uncovering the cause, it doesn’t mean you need to suffer the symptoms forever! Your daily habits can make a massive difference – all you need to do is learn about your condition and empower yourself.