Question 1

went in for followup u/s for left thyroid nodule. came back as nothing on left but new nodule on right. worried they got the sides mixed up. possible?

Accepted Answer

Not likely: Ultrasound exams are performed by trained technicians and supervised by physicians on site, so a mix up is unlikely.  It is, however, common for many people to have multinodular goiter, meaning many cysts on both sides of the gland.  These are usually benign & require no further evaluation.  If concerned, a needle biopsy can be performed.

Question 2

bilateral thyroid nodules?

Accepted Answer

See ENT surgeon. : You may need an ultrasound guided biopsy.

Question 3

are thyroid nodules common?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Thyroid nodules occur in up to 50% of the worlds population. Modern ultrasound equipment can detect very small nodules that were not detectable with older machines. Only about 5% of nodules are cancerous. Nodules tend to increase in frequency as one matures.

Question 4

can thyroid nodules shrink?

Accepted Answer

Yes.: Most thyroid nodules remain stable over many years.  Some can increase in size and some can decrease.  It depends on the composition of the nodule.

Question 5

medicine for thyroid nodule?

Accepted Answer

Depends on problem: 3 major categories of potential health issues caused by thyroid nodules: a) large size affecting swallowing, breathing, voice ; b) over active production of thyroid hormone (hyperthyroid) ; and c) ~5% of nodules are cancer. Methimazole and ptu (propylthiouracil) are pills that block thyroid hormone production, treating b) above. Radioactive  i-131 can shrink/destroy nodule, treating a) and b). Need surgery for c).

Question 6

what are thyroid nodules from?

Accepted Answer

Lumps in the gland: Nodules may be single or multiple (multinodular goiter) and may be due to benign colloid accumulations or 10% of the time cancer. See a thyroidologist to get a fine needle aspiration of any nodules that look suspicious on ultrasound.

Question 7

are thyroid nodules moveable?

Accepted Answer

Part of the gland: They will move upward with the rest of the gland when you swallow, and you can move them just as you can move your larynx and trachea once you know your way around your neck. Your physician can help you make the distinction from a lymph node or other mass.

Question 8

what can thyroid nodules mean?

Accepted Answer

Depends: Thyroid nodules are very common in the population, especially in women.  Most are benign.  Biopsy is indicated if they are larger than 1 cm in size and mostly solid.  Thyroid function should also be assessed.

Question 9

how is a thyroid nodule treated?

Accepted Answer

Complicated question: Most nodules are initially treated with a biopsy. Additional therapy, if any, will depend on the results of that biopsy and any other symptoms or signs associated with that nodule. In truth, the treatment for any thyroid nodule is very individualized and impossible to generalize further.

Question 10

how fast do thyroid nodules grow?

Accepted Answer

Variable: Thyroid nodules are variable in their growth patterns.  Some can grow quickly in size, particularly if there is a cystic component to the nodule.  Your doctor will usually suggest an ultrasound to follow the growth of the nodule every 6 months to one year, depending on the level of suspicion.

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Thyroid nodules drugs

A member asked:

Went in for followup u/s for left thyroid nodule. came back as nothing on left but new nodule on right. worried they got the sides mixed up. possible?

A member asked:

Bilateral thyroid nodules?

A member asked:

Are thyroid nodules common?

A member asked:

Can thyroid nodules shrink?

A member asked:

Medicine for thyroid nodule?

A member asked:

What are thyroid nodules from?

A member asked:

Are thyroid nodules moveable?

A member asked:

What can thyroid nodules mean?

A member asked:

How is a thyroid nodule treated?

A member asked:

How fast do thyroid nodules grow?

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