Thyroid

Nodules 

Thyroid nodules are common and occur frequently in women. Most nodules are caused by benign growth of thyroid cells and do not cause symptoms and remain undetected. However, some nodules grow large enough to cause compressive symptoms. These symptoms can include difficulty swallowing, choking sensation, pain or other problems. 

Nodules are evaluated by ultrasound. If a nodule has suspicious findings, a fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy is performed and analyzed by an endocrine pathologist. Personalized molecular testing can also help your treatment team guide treatment decisions. If a thyroid nodule is suspicious for thyroid cancer or is causing symptoms, partial or total thyroidectomy may be needed.  

Goiter 

A goiter is an enlarged thyroid gland. You may feel or see a swelling in your neck or notice your collar or necklaces have become tighter. Goiters are typically caused by growth of non-cancerous thyroid nodules. If a goiter causes symptoms or other problems, a partial or total thyroidectomy may be needed.  

Hyperthyroidism 

Hyperthyroidism can cause your thyroid gland to produce too much thyroid hormone. Having too much thyroid hormone causes the body’s metabolism to be too high. This results in heart palpitations, weight loss, changes to your eyes and other symptoms. One type of hyperthyroidism is Graves’ disease. Hyperthyroidism can also be caused by “hot” nodules that make too much thyroid hormone.  

Thyroid Cancer 

Thyroid cancer is the 12th most common cancer. Well-differentiated thyroid cancer (WDTC) accounts for over 90% of thyroid cancers and has a favorable prognosis. WDTC occurs more frequently in women. The three main types of WDTC are: 

• Papillary thyroid cancer 
• Follicular thyroid cancer 
• Hurthle cell thyroid cancer 

Fortunately, thyroid cancer can easily be treated. Surgery is the primary treatment of thyroid cancer. Patients may require a thyroid lobectomy, total thyroidectomy or total thyroidectomy with lymph node removal. In addition to surgery, some patients may benefit from a treatment with radioactive iodine (RAI). RAI is a targeted medication that destroys thyroid cells, including thyroid cancer cells.    

Hypothyroidism 

Hypothyroidism can cause your thyroid gland to produce too little thyroid hormone. Hypothyroidism causes a slow metabolism, resulting in decreased energy, cold tolerance, weight gain and other symptoms. The most common cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, in which the body’s immune system mistakes the thyroid gland as a foreign body and attacks the gland. Hypothyroidism also may result from a lack of iodine or failure to take thyroid replacement medication after the thyroid gland has been removed or after ablation.