Thyroid nodules are very common and are most often found by chance, e.g. during a neck ultrasound. The vast majority are benign, but every nodule needs to be assessed to determine whether monitoring is enough or further tests are needed.
Thyroid nodules — endocrinology consultation with ultrasound
Thyroid nodules are very common and are most often found by chance, e.g. during a neck ultrasound. The vast majority are benign, but every nodule needs to be assessed to determine whether monitoring is enough or further tests are needed.
About the problem
Further management depends mainly on how the nodule looks on ultrasound — its size, structure, borders and any calcifications — and on hormone test results, above all TSH.
On this basis, the doctor assesses the risk and decides whether a follow-up ultrasound is enough or whether the nodule should be checked with a fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB).
During an endocrinology consultation with thyroid ultrasound, the doctor performs the scan personally, so the findings and the further plan can be discussed during a single visit.
Most common symptoms
- a palpable lump or asymmetry in the neck
- a feeling of pressure or a “lump” in the throat
- difficulty swallowing or hoarseness with larger nodules
- in some patients, symptoms of an overactive or underactive thyroid
- often no symptoms — the nodule is found by chance
When to see a doctor
- when an ultrasound report describes a thyroid nodule
- when you can feel a lump in your neck
- when the nodule is growing or you have developed hoarseness or difficulty swallowing
- when your TSH results are abnormal