I had a thyroid ultrasound at the endocrinologist and he saw 3 nodules. is cancer usually 1 nodule? what could this be?

Multinodular goiter: Would follow up with the endocrinologist. He or she will likely do further testingto see if these nodules are active or not and then decide how to proceed.

Depends: Cancer can be one nodule or all three especially if papillary cancer. If a nodule larger then 10 mm, history of neck radiation, or it has calcification would recommend needle biopsy. Also need blood TSH -if low then iodine scan and if nodule hot then unlikely cancer. If all nodules <10mm, normal or high tsh, and none of the above factors then repeat ultrasound in a year. 90% nodules benign.

Not always: Certainly, cancer is less common with multiple nodules, but not unheard of. The endocrinologist can tell you if any of the nodules are suspicious enough to warrant biopsy.

Not necessarily: Multiple nodules may represent a goiter. If they are 1 cm or larger, have specks of calcium, or otherwise look concerning, should have an fna (fine needle aspiration biopsy) to look at the cells and determine if benign or cancerous. Thryroid function tests are useful too. Occasionally radioiodine scan can help determine if nodules or the gland is overactive.

Multinodular Goiter: Multinodular goiters are not normaly cancerous.But these can be toxic which means these ptoduce too much thyroxine or non toxic with normal thyroid hormone levels.