Thyroid nodules are solid or fluid-filled lumps that form within your thyroid gland, a small gland located at the base of your neck, just above your breastbone. Most thyroid nodules aren’t serious and don’t cause symptoms. Only a small percentage of thyroid nodules are cancerous. You often won’t know you have a thyroid nodule until your doctor discovers it during a routine medical exam or through a scan done for another health reason.
Here are some key points about thyroid nodules:
- Symptoms:
- Most thyroid nodules don’t cause signs or symptoms.
- Occasionally, large nodules can:
- Be felt.
- Be seen, often as a swelling at the base of your neck.
- Press on your windpipe or esophagus, causing shortness of breath or difficulty swallowing.
- Some nodules may produce additional thyroxine, a hormone secreted by your thyroid gland, leading to symptoms of hyperthyroidism (overproduction of thyroid hormones). These symptoms may include:
- Unexplained weight loss
- Increased sweating
- Tremor
- Nervousness
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat.
- Cancer Risk:
- Only a small number of thyroid nodules are cancerous.
- Determining which nodules are cancerous requires medical evaluation and cannot be done based on symptoms alone.
- Most cancerous thyroid nodules are slow-growing and may be small when discovered.
- Aggressive thyroid cancers are rare and may present as large, firm, fixed, and rapidly growing nodules.
- When to Seek Medical Attention:
- If you notice unusual swelling in your neck, especially if it affects your breathing or swallowing, consult your doctor.
- Seek medical care if you experience signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism (insufficient thyroid hormone production).
Remember to consult a healthcare provider for personalized evaluation and management if you suspect thyroid nodules.
