BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuThyroid noduleThyroid adenoma - nodule; Thyroid carcinoma - nodule; Thyroid cancer - nodule; Thyroid incidentaloma; Hot nodule; Cold nodule; Thyrotoxicosis - nodule; Hyperthyroidism - noduleA thyroid nodule is a growth (lump) in the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is located at the front of the neck, just above where your collarbones meet in the middle. Causes Thyroid nodules are caused by an overgrowth of cells in the thyroid gland. These growths can be: Not cancer (benign), thyroid cancer (malignant), or very rarely, other cancers or infections Fluid-filled (cysts) One nodule or a group of small nodules Producing thyroid hormones (hot nodule) or not making thyroid hormones (cold nodule)Thyroid nodules are very common. They occur more often in women than in men. A person's chance of getting a thyroid nodule increases with age.Only a few thyroid nodules are due to thyroid cancer. A thyroid nodule is more likely to be cancer if you:Thyroid cancerThyroid cancer is a cancer that starts in the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is located in the front of your lower neck.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Have a hard nodule Have a nodule that is stuck to nearby structures Have a family history of thyroid cancer Have noticed a change in your voice Are younger than 20 or older than 70 Have a history of radiation exposure to the head or neck Are maleCauses of thyroid nodules are not always found, but can include:Hashimoto disease (a reaction of the immune system against the thyroid gland) Hashimoto diseaseChronic thyroiditis is caused by a reaction of the immune system against the thyroid gland. It often results in reduced thyroid function (hypothyroi...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Lack of iodine in the diet Symptoms Most thyroid nodules do not cause symptoms.Large nodules can press against other structures in the neck. This can cause symptoms such as: A visible goiter (enlarged thyroid gland) GoiterA simple goiter is an enlargement of the thyroid gland. It is usually not a tumor or cancer.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Hoarseness or changing voice Pain in the neck Problems breathing, especially when lying down flat Problems swallowing foodProblems swallowingDifficulty with swallowing is the feeling that food or liquid is stuck in the throat or at any point before the food enters the stomach. This proble...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Nodules that produce thyroid hormones will likely cause symptoms of an overactive thyroid gland, including:Overactive thyroid glandHyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone. The condition is often called overactive thyroid.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Warm, sweaty skin Fast pulse and palpitations Increased appetite Nervousness or anxiety Restlessness or poor sleep Skin blushing or flushing More frequent bowel movements Tremor Weight loss Weight lossUnexplained weight loss is a decrease in body weight, when you did not try to lose the weight on your own. Many people gain and lose weight. Uninten...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Irregular or lighter menstrual periodsOlder people with a nodule that produces too much thyroid hormone may have only vague symptoms, including:Fatigue Palpitations Chest pain Memory lossThyroid nodules are sometimes found in people who have Hashimoto disease. Hashimoto disease may cause symptoms of an underactive thyroid gland, such as: Constipation Dry skin Face swelling Face swellingFacial swelling is the buildup of fluid in the tissues of the face. Swelling may also affect the neck and upper arms.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Fatigue FatigueFatigue is a feeling of weariness, tiredness, or lack of energy.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Hair loss Feeling cold when other people do not Weight gain Weight gain Unintentional weight gain is when you gain weight without trying to do so and you are not eating or drinking more.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Irregular menstrual periodsVery often, nodules produce no symptoms. Health care providers often find thyroid nodules during a routine physical exam or imaging tests that are done for another reason. A few people have thyroid nodules that are big enough that they notice the nodule on their own and ask a provider to examine their neck. Exams and Tests If a provider finds a nodule or you have symptoms of a nodule, the following tests may be done:TSH level and other thyroid blood tests TSH levelA TSH test measures the amount of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in your blood. TSH is produced by the pituitary gland. It prompts the thyroid g...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Thyroid ultrasound Thyroid ultrasoundA thyroid ultrasound is an imaging method to see the thyroid, a gland in the neck that regulates metabolism (the many processes that control the rate...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Thyroid scan (nuclear medicine) Thyroid scanA thyroid scan uses a radioactive iodine tracer to examine the structure and function of the thyroid gland. This test is often done together with a ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Fine needle aspiration biopsy of the nodule or of multiple nodules (sometimes with special genetic testing on the nodule tissue)Fine needle aspiration biopsyFine needle aspiration of the thyroid gland is a procedure to remove thyroid cells for examination. The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland lo...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Your provider may recommend surgery to remove all or part of your thyroid gland if the nodule is:Surgery to remove all or part of your t...Thyroid gland removal is surgery to remove all or part of the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland located inside the front ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Due to thyroid cancer Causing symptoms such as swallowing or breathing problems If the fine needle biopsy is inconclusive, and your provider can't tell whether the nodule is a cancer Making too much thyroid hormonePeople with nodules that are making too much thyroid hormone may be treated with radioiodine therapy. This reduces the size and activity of the nodule. Pregnant women or women who are still breastfeeding are not given this treatment. Both surgery to remove thyroid gland tissue and radioactive iodine treatment can cause lifelong hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). This condition needs to be treated with thyroid hormone replacement (a daily medicine).For noncancerous nodules that do not cause symptoms and are not growing, the best treatment may be:Careful follow-up with a physical exam and ultrasound A thyroid biopsy repeated 6 to 12 months after diagnosis, especially if the nodule has grown Outlook (Prognosis) Noncancerous thyroid nodules are not life-threatening. Many do not require treatment. Follow-up exams are enough. The outlook for thyroid cancer depends on the type of cancer. For the most common kinds of thyroid cancer, the outlook is very good after treatment. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you feel or see a lump in your neck, or if you have any symptoms of a thyroid nodule.If you have been exposed to radiation in the face or neck area, contact your provider. A neck ultrasound can be done to look for thyroid nodules.Open ReferencesReferencesFiletti S, Tuttle M, Leboulleux S, Alexander EK. Nontoxic diffuse goiter, nodular thyroid disorders, and thyroid malignancies. In: Melmed S, Auchus RJ, Goldfine AB, Koenig RJ, Rosen CJ, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 14.Haugen BR, Alexander EK, Bible KC, et al. 2015 American Thyroid Association management guidelines for adult patients with thyroid nodules and differentiated thyroid cancer: The American Thyroid Association Guidelines Task Force on Thyroid Nodules and Differentiated Thyroid Cancer. Thyroid. 2016;26(1):1-133. PMID: 26462967 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26462967/.Jonklaas J, Cooper DS. Thyroid. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 213.AllVideoImagesTogThyroid gland biopsy - illustration The thyroid is a gland located in the neck. It is a part of the endocrine (hormone) system, and plays a major role in regulating the body's metabolism. If a sample of cells is needed from the thyroid gland a fine needle biopsy can be performed. During this procedure, a skinny needle is inserted into the thyroid gland, and a sample of thyroid cells and fluid is drawn into the needle. The needle is then withdrawn and the cells are sent for examination. This test is usually performed to determine if a thyroid nodule could be malignant (cancer).Thyroid gland biopsyillustrationThyroid gland biopsy - illustration The thyroid is a gland located in the neck. It is a part of the endocrine (hormone) system, and plays a major role in regulating the body's metabolism. If a sample of cells is needed from the thyroid gland a fine needle biopsy can be performed. During this procedure, a skinny needle is inserted into the thyroid gland, and a sample of thyroid cells and fluid is drawn into the needle. The needle is then withdrawn and the cells are sent for examination. This test is usually performed to determine if a thyroid nodule could be malignant (cancer).Thyroid gland biopsyillustration Tests for Thyroid nodule Thyroid ultrasoundThyroid scanFine needle aspiration of the thyroid Related Information Thyroid cancer - medullary carcinoma(Condition)Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) II(Condition)Thyroid cancer(Condition)Chronic thyroiditis (Hashimoto disease)(Condition)Laryngeal nerve damage(Condition)Thyroid gland removal(Surgery)Thyroid gland removal - discharge(Discharge)Hypothyroidism - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 4/29/2022 Reviewed By: Sandeep K. Dhaliwal, MD, board-certified in Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Springfield, VA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
Thyroid noduleThyroid adenoma - nodule; Thyroid carcinoma - nodule; Thyroid cancer - nodule; Thyroid incidentaloma; Hot nodule; Cold nodule; Thyrotoxicosis - nodule; Hyperthyroidism - noduleA thyroid nodule is a growth (lump) in the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is located at the front of the neck, just above where your collarbones meet in the middle. Causes Thyroid nodules are caused by an overgrowth of cells in the thyroid gland. These growths can be: Not cancer (benign), thyroid cancer (malignant), or very rarely, other cancers or infections Fluid-filled (cysts) One nodule or a group of small nodules Producing thyroid hormones (hot nodule) or not making thyroid hormones (cold nodule)Thyroid nodules are very common. They occur more often in women than in men. A person's chance of getting a thyroid nodule increases with age.Only a few thyroid nodules are due to thyroid cancer. A thyroid nodule is more likely to be cancer if you:Thyroid cancerThyroid cancer is a cancer that starts in the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is located in the front of your lower neck.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Have a hard nodule Have a nodule that is stuck to nearby structures Have a family history of thyroid cancer Have noticed a change in your voice Are younger than 20 or older than 70 Have a history of radiation exposure to the head or neck Are maleCauses of thyroid nodules are not always found, but can include:Hashimoto disease (a reaction of the immune system against the thyroid gland) Hashimoto diseaseChronic thyroiditis is caused by a reaction of the immune system against the thyroid gland. It often results in reduced thyroid function (hypothyroi...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Lack of iodine in the diet Symptoms Most thyroid nodules do not cause symptoms.Large nodules can press against other structures in the neck. This can cause symptoms such as: A visible goiter (enlarged thyroid gland) GoiterA simple goiter is an enlargement of the thyroid gland. It is usually not a tumor or cancer.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Hoarseness or changing voice Pain in the neck Problems breathing, especially when lying down flat Problems swallowing foodProblems swallowingDifficulty with swallowing is the feeling that food or liquid is stuck in the throat or at any point before the food enters the stomach. This proble...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Nodules that produce thyroid hormones will likely cause symptoms of an overactive thyroid gland, including:Overactive thyroid glandHyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone. The condition is often called overactive thyroid.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Warm, sweaty skin Fast pulse and palpitations Increased appetite Nervousness or anxiety Restlessness or poor sleep Skin blushing or flushing More frequent bowel movements Tremor Weight loss Weight lossUnexplained weight loss is a decrease in body weight, when you did not try to lose the weight on your own. Many people gain and lose weight. Uninten...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Irregular or lighter menstrual periodsOlder people with a nodule that produces too much thyroid hormone may have only vague symptoms, including:Fatigue Palpitations Chest pain Memory lossThyroid nodules are sometimes found in people who have Hashimoto disease. Hashimoto disease may cause symptoms of an underactive thyroid gland, such as: Constipation Dry skin Face swelling Face swellingFacial swelling is the buildup of fluid in the tissues of the face. Swelling may also affect the neck and upper arms.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Fatigue FatigueFatigue is a feeling of weariness, tiredness, or lack of energy.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Hair loss Feeling cold when other people do not Weight gain Weight gain Unintentional weight gain is when you gain weight without trying to do so and you are not eating or drinking more.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Irregular menstrual periodsVery often, nodules produce no symptoms. Health care providers often find thyroid nodules during a routine physical exam or imaging tests that are done for another reason. A few people have thyroid nodules that are big enough that they notice the nodule on their own and ask a provider to examine their neck. Exams and Tests If a provider finds a nodule or you have symptoms of a nodule, the following tests may be done:TSH level and other thyroid blood tests TSH levelA TSH test measures the amount of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in your blood. TSH is produced by the pituitary gland. It prompts the thyroid g...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Thyroid ultrasound Thyroid ultrasoundA thyroid ultrasound is an imaging method to see the thyroid, a gland in the neck that regulates metabolism (the many processes that control the rate...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Thyroid scan (nuclear medicine) Thyroid scanA thyroid scan uses a radioactive iodine tracer to examine the structure and function of the thyroid gland. This test is often done together with a ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Fine needle aspiration biopsy of the nodule or of multiple nodules (sometimes with special genetic testing on the nodule tissue)Fine needle aspiration biopsyFine needle aspiration of the thyroid gland is a procedure to remove thyroid cells for examination. The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland lo...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Your provider may recommend surgery to remove all or part of your thyroid gland if the nodule is:Surgery to remove all or part of your t...Thyroid gland removal is surgery to remove all or part of the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland located inside the front ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Due to thyroid cancer Causing symptoms such as swallowing or breathing problems If the fine needle biopsy is inconclusive, and your provider can't tell whether the nodule is a cancer Making too much thyroid hormonePeople with nodules that are making too much thyroid hormone may be treated with radioiodine therapy. This reduces the size and activity of the nodule. Pregnant women or women who are still breastfeeding are not given this treatment. Both surgery to remove thyroid gland tissue and radioactive iodine treatment can cause lifelong hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). This condition needs to be treated with thyroid hormone replacement (a daily medicine).For noncancerous nodules that do not cause symptoms and are not growing, the best treatment may be:Careful follow-up with a physical exam and ultrasound A thyroid biopsy repeated 6 to 12 months after diagnosis, especially if the nodule has grown Outlook (Prognosis) Noncancerous thyroid nodules are not life-threatening. Many do not require treatment. Follow-up exams are enough. The outlook for thyroid cancer depends on the type of cancer. For the most common kinds of thyroid cancer, the outlook is very good after treatment. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you feel or see a lump in your neck, or if you have any symptoms of a thyroid nodule.If you have been exposed to radiation in the face or neck area, contact your provider. A neck ultrasound can be done to look for thyroid nodules.Open ReferencesReferencesFiletti S, Tuttle M, Leboulleux S, Alexander EK. Nontoxic diffuse goiter, nodular thyroid disorders, and thyroid malignancies. In: Melmed S, Auchus RJ, Goldfine AB, Koenig RJ, Rosen CJ, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 14.Haugen BR, Alexander EK, Bible KC, et al. 2015 American Thyroid Association management guidelines for adult patients with thyroid nodules and differentiated thyroid cancer: The American Thyroid Association Guidelines Task Force on Thyroid Nodules and Differentiated Thyroid Cancer. Thyroid. 2016;26(1):1-133. PMID: 26462967 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26462967/.Jonklaas J, Cooper DS. Thyroid. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 213.