RISK FACTORS FOR THYROID NODULES

• Iodine deficiency—the most common cause of thyroid nodules worldwide but not in the United States—is preventable by use of iodized salt
  
• Older age
  
• Women are more likely to get thyroid nodules than men
  
• Having irradiation therapy on the head or neck as a child (to treat cancer or other diseases)
  

SYMPTOMS

• Most of the time, there are no symptoms at all.
  
• A nodule may be visible as a lump in the neck that moves with swallowing.
  
• If the nodule presses against other structures in the neck, there may be some pressure or pain.
  
• Rarely, a large nodule may cause problems with swallowing.
  

DIAGNOSING THYROID NODULES

• Thyroid nodules can sometimes be seen as lumps in the neck or can be felt by touching the neck.
  
• Blood tests of thyroid function should be done to see if the thyroid is making the normal amount of thyroid hormone although nodules usually do not affect thyroid hormone production.
  
• Ultrasound imaging of the thyroid using sound waves can reveal thyroid nodules and their composition.
  
• Radioactive iodine scanning can indicate whether a nodule is functioning (incorporating iodine). Almost all thyroid cancers occur in nonfunctioning nodules.
  
• Fine-needle aspiration can help determine whether the thyroid nodule is benign or malignant. A very fine needle is guided into the nodule, sometimes using ultrasound imaging, and some of the nodule cells are removed to be evaluated in the laboratory.
  

TREATMENT

• Many benign thyroid nodules remain the same size and some shrink on their own.
  
• Synthetic thyroid hormone should be taken as a once-a-day pill only if the thyroid hormone levels are low. Administering thyroid hormone does not cause nodules to shrink.
  
• Nodules found to be malignant should be surgically removed.
  

Source:The Journal of American Medical Association