Thyroid nodules might sound alarming, but they’re actually really common. In fact, about 60 to 70% of people may have them.
Should you be concerned if you discover you have one? We asked an expert.
What are thyroid nodules?
Thyroid nodules are non-cancerous growths in the thyroid gland. They often go unnoticed because they typically don’t cause any symptoms. However, as they grow larger, they can lead to pressure or pain in the throat, difficulty swallowing, chronic cough or changes in voice.
In some cases, nodules can also produce thyroid hormone, which can cause hyperthyroidism.
> Related: 5 Easy Steps to Keep Your Thyroid Healthy
Your doctor may notice you have thyroid nodules during a routine exam.
“Thyroid nodules are detected incidentally on imaging studies or palpated during physical exams,” says Timothy Huber, MD, an interventional radiologist at Hartford Hospital. “Sometimes they become so large that they are noticeable to the patient or others.”
If your doctor suspects these are causing you issues, they may recommend an ultrasound or biopsy.
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Treatment isn’t always necessary.
For non-cancerous nodules that don’t cause symptoms, treatment may not be necessary.
“However, if they grow to a point where they cause symptoms, or if they cause hyperthyroidism, then patients should seek treatment,” says Dr. Huber.
Treatment options include surgery to remove part or all of the thyroid gland, or radiofrequency ablation (RFA) which spares the normal thyroid gland.
“RFA uses an electrical current to heat a small amount of tissue around the tip of a specialized needle,” explains Dr. Huber. “By moving that needle through a nodule, we can precisely treat just the nodule, without damaging the surrounding thyroid, nerves, blood vessels, and trachea.”