Overview
A thyroid nodule is an unusual lump (growth) of cells on your thyroid gland.
Your thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped endocrine gland located in your neck, below your Adam’s apple. It produces the hormones thyroxine (also called T4) and triiodothyronine (also called T3). These hormones play a role in certain bodily functions, including:
- Metabolism.
- Body temperature.
- Mood and excitability.
- Pulse and heart rate.
- Digestion.
Thyroid nodules are classified as:
- Solitary (a single nodule).
- Multiple (more than one nodule).
- Cystic (fluid-filled).
- Solid.
More than 90% of detected nodules in adults are noncancerous (benign), but they may represent thyroid cancer in approximately 4.0% to 6.5% of cases. Even though most thyroid nodules aren’t cancer, they can sometimes be a sign of and/or cause thyroid disease.
Who do thyroid nodules affect?
Anyone can have a thyroid nodule, including children and adults. However, they’re about four times more common in people assigned female at birth than people assigned male at birth.
They also occur more often in people who live in countries in which food isn’t fortified with iodine. (Iodine is necessary for your thyroid gland to make hormones.)
Other factors that lead to an increased risk of thyroid nodules include:
- History of thyroid radiation.
- Family history of thyroid nodules or thyroid cancer.
- Increasing age.
- Iron-deficiency anemia.
- Smoking.
- Obesity.
- Metabolic syndrome.
- Alcohol consumption.
- Increased levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (a hormone).
- Uterine fibroids.
How common are thyroid nodules?
Thyroid nodules are common. Healthcare providers detect them in approximately 5% to 7% of adults during a physical examination. Ultrasound imaging reveals that 20% to 76% of adults have thyroid nodules.
Thyroid nodules are less common in children.
When should I worry about thyroid nodules?
In most cases, thyroid nodules aren’t a cause for concern. But even though the vast majority of thyroid nodules are benign, some thyroid nodules do contain thyroid cancer.
For this reason, you should see your healthcare provider so they can evaluate the nodule to be sure it’s benign. As with all cases of cancer, the earlier it can be diagnosed and treated, the better.
Symptoms
When to see a doctor
Complications
- High blood pressure.
- Diabetes.
- Heart failure.
- Some types of heart valve disease.
Prevention
- Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
- Don't smoke or use tobacco.
- Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
- Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
- Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Reduce and manage stress.
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