How is a thyroid nodule treated?

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.

Many need none: Many thyroid nodules require no treatment at all. Testing is needed to determine if they produce too much thyroid hormone or if they may be cancerous. Cancerous nodules are treated w/ surgery to remove whole thyroid. Overactive nodules can be treated w/ surgery to remove half of the thyroid or with radioactive iodine to kill them. Large nodules causing trouble swallowing may also need surgery.

Treatment options: Depends on the size of the nodule, you can either do an ultrasound guided biopsy to rule out cancer or follow it with yearly ultrasound to make sure that it's not growing or do the biopsy if it grows. If it's causing swallowing/breathing problem or if it's producing extra hormone, surgical removal is also an option.