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Thyroid Nodules, Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Thyroid nodules are lumps that appear on the thyroid gland in the neck. These lumps can be felt hard and solid, or can also be soft and filled with liquid. The appearance of thyroid nodules can be caused by a number of things, from iodine deficiency to tumors or thyroid cancer. Thyroid nodules are a type of thyroid disease that often occurs, both in men and women. In many cases, this condition is not dangerous and is not caused by a serious illness. But when the lump starts to enlarge or the thyroid nodule interferes with thyroid hormone production, a number of complaints can arise.

Types of thyroid nodules

There are several types of thyroid nodules, including:

1. Colloid nodules

This thyroid nodule is noncancerous. Nodules or lumps can enlarge, but do not spread out of the thyroid gland.

2. Thyroid cyst

This thyroid nodule contains fluid or blood. Thyroid cysts can form from thyroid tumor tissue growth, for example in thyroid adenoma. Thyroid cysts are usually benign, but in some cases, they can be composed of malignant tissue (cancer).

3. Inflammatory nodules

This thyroid nodule appears due to chronic inflammation and causes swelling of the thyroid gland. This type of inflammatory thyroid nodule can be caused by Hashimoto's disease.

4. Multinodular goiter

Thyroid or enlargement of the thyroid gland with many nodules is generally benign, and often appears when the body has iodine deficiency in the long run or there is a certain thyroid disease.

5. Hyperfunctional thyroid nodules

This nodule produces excessive thyroid hormone, causing hyperthyroidism. As a result, various health problems and diseases will arise, such as heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias), high blood pressure, and even heart attacks.

6. Thyroid cancer

This thyroid nodule is malignant, but it is very rare. There are several types of thyroid cancer, depending on the origin of the cell or thyroid tissue. In the early stages, thyroid cancer often shows no typical symptoms.

Symptoms of Thyroid Nodules

Thyroid nodules rarely cause symptoms, especially when the lump is still small. Generally these lumps are only detected when a person undergoes a general health examination. Complaints usually only arise when the lump is getting bigger. Symptoms include:
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Difficulty breathing
  • The voice became hoarse
  • Pain and swelling in the neck
Other complaints can also arise when thyroid nodules produce thyroxine hormone and cause symptoms of hyperthyroidism, such as anxiety, insomnia, weight loss, feeling hot and sweaty, shortness of breath, palpitations, and vision problems. A person suffering from thyroid nodules is also susceptible to hypothyroidism, a condition in which the level of thyroid hormone in the body is low.

Causes of Thyroid Nodules

The cause of a lump in the thyroid gland is not known with certainty. However, there are several factors that are thought to increase the risk of developing thyroid nodules, including:
  • Iodine deficiency.
  • Hereditary factors, ie if someone has parents or family members who suffer from nodules or thyroid cancer.
  • Age. People aged less than 30 years or more than 60 years are at risk of developing this disease.
  • Gender. Women are more at risk of having thyroid nodules than men.
  • Radiation exposure to the head and neck.

Thyroid nodule examination

To detect thyroid nodules, a series of medical examinations by doctors is required, which includes physical examination and special examinations, such as blood tests (evaluation of thyroid gland function) by measuring levels of thyroid hormone, ultrasound, nuclear imaging (scintigraphy), and fine needle aspiration biopsy or fine biopsy needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). After the diagnosis and cause of the thyroid nodule is known, the doctor can determine the appropriate treatment step. Treatment for thyroid nodules is usually gradual, depending on growth, size, thyroid function, and whether the lump is benign or cancerous.

Treatment of Thyroid Nodules

Treatment for thyroid nodules can be done in several ways, namely:

Periodic monitoring (watchful waiting)

If the nodules are small and non-cancerous or benign, doctors usually only advise patients to do an ultrasound and a series of routine checks for thyroid gland function, to monitor the growth of thyroid nodules.

Giving medicine

If the lump grows larger, your doctor may prescribe levothyroxine to help prevent nodules from developing. Other treatment options are iodine radioactive treatment and administration of antithyroid drugs, such as methimazole, if thyroid nodules cause an increase in thyroid hormone levels.

Thyroid surgery

Surgery is usually needed if the lump enlarges and causes the patient to have difficulty swallowing or difficulty breathing. Surgery is also needed for thyroid nodules which are at risk of becoming thyroid cancer. If the thyroid lump is cancerous, the treatment is a thyroidectomy, to remove malignant thyroid tissue. This treatment method is usually accompanied by levothyroxine drug therapy. Because the cause is unknown, thyroid nodules are difficult to prevent. However, the risk of thyroid nodules can be reduced by adequate intake of iodized foods, such as, seafood, meat, and iodized salt milk products or salt. Although most cases of thyroid nodules are not dangerous, this condition needs to be examined by a doctor so that it can be known whether the lump is benign or cancerous. Consult your doctor immediately if you find a lump in the neck, especially if other symptoms appear, such as hoarseness or difficulty swallowing.

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