Thyroid Nodules
WhAT is The Thyroid glAnd? The important points to remember are the following:
The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland • Thyroid nodules generally do not cause symptoms.
that is normally located in the lower front of the neck. • Thyroid tests are most typically normal—even when
The thyroid’s job is to make thyroid hormones, which are cancer is present in a nodule.
secreted into the blood and then carried to every tissue • The best way to find a thyroid nodule is to make sure
in the body. Thyroid hormone helps the body use energy, your doctor checks your neck!
stay warm and keep the brain, heart, muscles, and other
organs working as they should. WhAT cAuses Thyroid nodules And hoW
common Are They?
WhAT is A Thyroid nodule?
We do not know what causes most thyroid nodules but
The term thyroid nodule refers to an abnormal growth of
they are extremely common. By age 60, about one-half of
thyroid cells that forms a lump within the thyroid gland.
all people have a thyroid nodule that can be found either
Although the vast majority of thyroid nodules are benign
through examination or with imaging. Fortunately, over
(noncancerous), a small proportion of thyroid nodules
90% of such nodules are benign. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis,
do contain thyroid cancer. In order to diagnose and treat
which is the most common cause of hypothyroidism (see
thyroid cancer at the earliest stage, most thyroid nodules
Hypothyroidism brochure), is associated with an increased
need some type of evaluation.
risk of thyroid nodules. Iodine deficiency, which is very
WhAT Are The sympToms of A Thyroid uncommon in the United States, is also known to cause
thyroid nodules.
nodule?
Most thyroid nodules do not cause symptoms. Often, hoW is A Thyroid nodule evAluATed
thyroid nodules are discovered incidentally during a And diAgnosed?
routine physical examination or on imaging tests like CT
Once the nodule is discovered, your doctor will try to
scans or neck ultrasound done for completely unrelated
determine whether the rest of your thyroid is healthy or
reasons. Occasionally, patients themselves find thyroid
whether the entire thyroid gland has been affected by
nodules by noticing a lump in their neck while looking in
a more general condition such as hyperthyroidism or
a mirror, buttoning their collar, or fastening a necklace.
hypothyroidism. Your physician will feel the thyroid to see
Abnormal thyroid function tests may occasionally be the
whether the entire gland is enlarged and whether a single
reason a thyroid nodule is found. Thyroid nodules may
or multiple nodules are present. The initial laboratory tests
produce excess amounts of thyroid hormone causing
may include measurement of thyroid hormone (thyroxine,
hyperthyroidism (see Hyperthyroidism brochure).
or T4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in your blood
However, most thyroid nodules, including those that
to determine whether your thyroid is functioning normally.
cancerous, are actually non-functioning, meaning tests
like TSH are normal. Rarely, patients with thyroid nodules Since it’s usually not possible to determine whether a
may complain of pain in the neck, jaw, or ear. If a nodule is thyroid nodule is cancerous by physical examination
large enough to compress the windpipe or esophagus, it and blood tests alone, the evaluation of the thyroid
may cause difficulty with breathing, swallowing, or cause a nodules often includes specialized tests such as thyroid
“tickle in the throat”. Even less commonly, hoarseness can ultrasonography and fine needle biopsy.
be caused if the nodule invades the nerve that controls the
vocal cords but this is usually related to thyroid cancer.
This page and its contents
are Copyright © 2014