Over the past decade, thyroid nodules treatment has come a long way. The understanding of the thyroid disease and dysfunction has improved considerably and most doctors consider it when making a diagnosis.
Thankfully, my thyroid nodule (goiter; right side of my neck) has reduced significantly from following Tom Brimeyer’s Hypothyroidism Revolution Program.
In the past, it was thought that thyroid nodules were extremely rare. Consequently, few doctors looked for thyroid problems early on in the diagnosis process.
Today, it is understood that the condition is actually quite widespread, so doctors actively look for lumps on the thyroid, and do so far sooner than they would have done in the past. In the US, around 2% of men and 6% of women have nodules or little lumps on their thyroid gland.
These nodules are usually benign, so they are rarely life threatening. However, once they have developed they can have a significant negative impact on your health and therefore your life.
What are Nodules on the Thyroid?
OK, first a brief explanation of what nodules on the thyroid actually are:
Simply put, these lumps are made up of clumps of cells that have mutated. Another way is to think of them as clumps of malfunctioning cells that have grown slightly bigger than normal.
Usually the lumps are made up of damaged thyroid cells. This means that sometimes these cells continue to act as they did when they were healthy, they continue to release the hormones the body needs to metabolize food and produce energy. However, because the cells have mutated they function incorrectly. This means that they release the wrong amount of metabolizing hormones.
This leads to either hypothyroidism, or the far rarer condition of, hyperthyroidism. Hypothyroidism is an under active thyroid condition. Hyperthyroidism is an over active thyroid. The first condition leads to weight gain the second condition to unexplained weight loss.
Again, it is important to note that these clumps of mutated or malfunctioning thyroid cells are usually benign. However, occasionally they become cancerous, so never ignore the symptoms of lumps on your thyroid.
Occasionally these lumps will turn out to be fluid filled cysts rather than clumps of mutated cells.
Thyroid Nodule Symptoms – What they are How to Spot Them
Some symptoms of thyroid nodules include the following:
- neck tenderness
- difficulty of swallowing
- hoarse voice
- a feeling of fullness, pain or pressure in the neck
Unfortunately, thyroid nodules are not that easy to spot. However, if you are vigilant, you will be able to spot the early signs and get treatment sooner rather than later.
Often you will be able to feel or see lumps on your thyroid. The lumps are not usually painful, so you are unlikely to notice them without actually looking for or feeling for them. If you are thin, you are far more likely to see the lumps.
It is a good idea to examine your thyroid gland periodically feeling for any lumps. You do not have to press hard. However, you are far more likely to notice other thyroid problems and symptoms before the lump appears.
The thyroid gland is responsible for producing thyroid hormones which regulates several essential functions in the body. When impaired, the thyroid gland can produce too much thyroid hormones (hyperthyroidism) or lesser than the normal level required by the body (hypothyroidism) and can therefore result to several other serious medical conditions.
An enlarged thyroid gland can signal that your body is producing too much — or too little — thyroid hormone.
Spot them early and get them treated and you will soon recover and your health and life will return to normal.
Self-Test: Thyroid Nodules, Lumps
I just read a magazine and found this self-examination on how to spot an enlarged thyroid, nodules or lump:
- Hold a mirror so you can see the front of your neck. (Your thyroid is below Adam’s apple, above your collarbone.)
- Take a sip of water and hold it in your mouth. Still looking at the thyroid area, tip your head back — and swallow the water.
- If you notice any bulges, ask your doctor for a blood test to check your thyroid levels.
Thyroid nodules treatment is required when patients experience abnormal enlargements in the thyroid gland which often appears on the surface as large lumps in the throat. Unlike cysts which are found to be bladder-like sacs that contain fluid, and that are found to grow normally on certain glands like the thyroid gland, nodules on thyroid caused by abnormal lesions often require medical attention.
However, since thyroid nodules and thyroid enlargements are often mistaken for normal cystic growth, they are often left unattended.
When any thyroid nodules symptoms or signs are observed – such as an enlargement of the thyroid, it is wise and prudent to immediately seek its treatment before it can complicate into even more serious problems.
Types of Thyroid Nodules
There are several kinds of thyroid nodules that can grow in the thyroid gland. Some of these types may not necessarily manifest symptoms. Nonetheless, they affect the hormone production of the thyroid gland which results to several indirect symptoms like weight loss, rapid heartbeat, weight gain, depression, frequent fatigue, among others.
Some of the more common types of thyroid nodules are:
- Follicular Adenoma
- Thyroid Cyst
- Inflammatory Nodule
- Colloid Nodule
- Thyroid Cancer
- Multinodular Goiter
Thyroid Monitoring
If the thyroid lumps are found to be benign and are not causing the patient any discomfort, the doctor may opt to simply monitor the thyroid growth for a period of time instead of treating it. During observation and monitoring period, any changes in size, and development of other symptoms related to thyroid dysfunction are carefully noted.
In some instances, nodules and thyroid lumps disappear on their own. In the event that it does not, further test and exams may be undertaken to re-evaluate the condition, rate of growth, and severity of the symptoms, which may be further used as the bases for actual treatment.
Thyroid Nodules Treatment
A patient with enlarged thyroid gland or having thyroid nodules have several treatment options.
1. Nodule Drainage
If, after medical examinations and tests, the doctor finds that the thyroid nodules are nothing more than normal fluid-filled cysts, the most common option for treatment is to drain the fluid to reduce the enlargement or inflammation and lessen the discomfort.
2. Surgical Removal of Nodule
Cysts are oftentimes normal and harmless. However, they can cause discomfort to the patient, requiring the doctor to relieve the symptoms of discomfort by fluid drain. In some cases, however, the cyst can persist to grow again. In the event that the cysts grows back, the patient may need to have his or her thyroid nodule surgically removed.
3. Hormone Suppression Therapy
In cases of Hyperthyroidism, or when the thyroid glands produces too much hormones, synthetic hormones may be prescribed to regulate the rate of hormone production of the gland which is also responsible for the growth of the thyroid.
Hormone suppression therapy, however, are known to have side effects. Patient and doctor must consult and discuss the downside and upside of the therapy before it is undertaken.
It might be careful to note that hyperthyroid prescription medicines aimed to reduce thyroid enlargement may eventually lead to the dysfunction of the thyroid glands, causing it to produce less hormones than what the body normally requires. Therefore, while it addresses the problem of an overly stimulated thyroid gland, it also poses a potential risk for hypothyroidism.
4. Radioactive Iodine Treatment
Another common treatment for hyperthyroidism – and ultimately, to reduce the thyroid enlargement – is with Radioactive Iodine Treatment. Radioactive iodine is a form of iodine identical to non-radioactive iodine used to make thyroid hormones. Unlike non-radioactive iodine though, radioactive iodine, commonly called radioiodine, contains radio active energy that helps slow down the production of thyroid hormones when it is taken into and collected by the thyroid gland.
Swollen Thyroid or Nodules Test
Your doctor will perform or order test to sort out your thyroid nodules. However, most thyroid lumps can be treated non-invasively. You need to consult your doctor.
And there is also a lot you can do by using helpful ways to assist yourself with your doctor’s approval by following a diet, exercise, and lifestyle plan.
Personal Story: My Goiter Has Reduced
I asked my doctor about what’s the growth on my neck. He responded to me that it’s a goiter.
Before the NatureThroid medication, I could see there’s a spot that is slightly bulging on the right side of my neck.
After 3 months of NatureThroid treatment, my doctor checked my thyroid and he said, “The size has decreased significantly.” I was so happy for that good news. I could only see the goiter when I tried to swallow my saliva.
Unfortunately, the doctor stopped the NatureThroid treatment because of the heart palpitation. With his approval I tried Hypothyroidism Revolution program.
Just after 2 1/2 weeks on , while I was riding in our car I tried to swallow my saliva. I checked my neck on the mirror and I could barely see the goiter — the size of my goiter has further reduced.
I have found the Hypothyroidism Revolution program is a very good product that many people have used to help them also to cope with the symptoms of hypothyroidism. You can find out more about it – by clicking the link below.
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