Thyroid Nodule Symptoms

Enlarged Thyroid Nodules

Enlarged thyroid nodules are lumps that form in your thyroid, which is an important gland near the base of your neck. Sometimes enlarged thyroid nodules are solid masses, sometimes they're filled with fluid. Most nodules are non-cancerous. But they may be malignant in a small percentage of patients.

Enlarged thyroid nodules are often small enough that you don't even know you have them. Many are discovered by your physician as part of a routine check up. Occasionally however, they'll enlarge enough to exert some pressure on your windpipe, which can make it difficult for you to swallow.

What causes thyroid nodules? One of the major functions of your thyroid is to take iodine from food you eat and use it to manufacture hormones that help regulate your metabolism. Your thyroid regulates your body temperature, influences your heart rate, and aids in the production of protein. It also produces a hormone called calcitonin, a hormone that regulates the amount of calcium in your blood.

Medical science has not yet determined what causes thyroid nodules but they seem to occur in the presence of certain circumstances. These circumstances include

• A low iodine intake in your diet.
• The presence of Hashimoto thyroid disease, a form of hypothyroidism (also known as low thyroid or underactive thyroid).
• Radiation treatments to your head or neck earlier in your life.
• Hereditary factors.

Types of thyroid nodules There are several types of thyroid nodules.

Colloid nodule Most fit into this category. They are a benign overgrowth of thyroid tissue. There can be one or many, and although they may grower larger, they don't expand past your thyroid gland.

Follicular adenoma A relatively common benign mass that is usually painless.

Thyroid cyst These are areas of the thyroid that fill up with fluid, although some also have a solid component. Size ranges from approximately one-third of an inch (8 millimeters) to one inch (25 millimeters). Fluid-filled cysts are usually benign, but a cyst that includes solid components might be malignant.

Inflammatory nodule This type sometimes follows a case of thyroiditis. A rare type of thyroiditis known as subacute thyroiditis can be extremely painful. See thyroid pain for more information.

Thyroid cancer These thyroid nodules are generally large and hard. They may cause neck pain. See thyroid cancer. Once again, malignant thyroid nodules are relatively rare.

Multinodular goiter See goiter. A goiter (sometimes spelled "goitre") is an enlarged thyroid gland which can result from the presence of a number of nodules. These often cause difficulty breathing or swallowing.

Hyperfunctioning thyroid nodule The pituitary gland normally produces a hormone called TSH, which regulates hormone production in the thyroid. Sometimes however, nodules form which produce thyroid hormones independently of TSH. Hyperfunctioning thyroid nodules cause high levels of the thyroid hormone thyroxine, accompanied by low levels of TSH.

Thyroid nodule symptoms As mentioned above, you often don't even know you have thyroid nodules. However, sometimes they grow large enough to make their presence known - and felt. Besides being able to feel them, you may notice swelling near the bottom of your neck.

If you have a certain kind of nodule, you'll get an overproduction of thyroxine. This can lead to jitters and nervousness, irritability, rapid heartbeat, trouble sleeping and unexpected weight loss.

It's a good idea to talk to your doctor if you have trouble breathing or swallowing, your voice grows suddenly hoarse, or the lymph nodes under your jaw or in your neck begin to feel swollen.

Thyroid nodule treatment Enlarged thyroid nodule treatment options depend on the type of thyroid nodules that you have. Once symptoms begin to present, your doctor may suggest that you watch and wait. He or she may recommend thyroid function tests at this time. If you have a benign thyroid nodule that isn't growing, you may not need treatment. But constant monitoring is still a good idea.

Thyroid hormone suppression therapy In some cases, your doctor may give you something to that will reduce the amount of TSH being produced by your pituitary gland. TSH stimulates the growth of thyroid tissue. If you're producing less TSH, your nodules or nodules are less likely to grow.

There is some debate about whether or not this treatment has any value. Talk to your doctor for his or her opinion.

Radioactive iodine treatment This is taken in capsule or liquid form. The radioactive iodine is absorbed by your thyroid, which causes nodules to shrink and symptoms to subside. It may take several months, and your symptoms may worsen temporarily in the beginning.

Removal of thyroid nodules Thyoid gland removal surgery is the most common option for cancerous nodules. Much of the thyroid containing the nodule is removed through a procedure called a near-total thyroidectomy. Removal of thyroid nodules is usually considered the best option for large multinodular goiters.

Surgery, of course, carries some risks. Removing the thyroid nodules could damage the nerve that controls your vocal cords and parathyroid glands (these help control your calcium levels). See thyroid gland removal.

After a thyroidectomy, you'll need lifelong hormone replacement therapy so your body gets the amount of thyroid hormones it needs to function.

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