Notice a Lump on Your Neck? A Doctor Reveals When To Worry About Thyroid Nodules

You’re fiddling with a necklace when suddenly you notice a lump near the base of your throat. Or perhaps you’re yawning and a friend spots a swollen spot on your neck. What gives? Although they can be alarming at first, thyroid nodules are fairly common and typically benign. Here we’ll walk you through what causes thyroid nodules, how to treat them and when to worry about thyroid nodules.

What causes thyroid nodules?

Discovering a lump on your body, even a small one, can be unnerving. But if the lump is on your neck, chances are it’s a thyroid nodule—a condition which over half of Americans will experience by the time they turn 60.

“The thyroid gland is a small organ that sits at the bottom of your neck right above the breast bone,” says Danielle Kelvas, MD , Medical Advisor at The HGC Institute. “Thyroid nodules are either solid or fluid filled cysts that form on this gland.”

As for what causes nodules in your thyroid tissue, scientists aren’t totally sure.

“ To be perfectly frank, most of the time we're really not sure why nodules form,” Dr. Kelvas explains. “Other than the obvious, like thyroid cancer, thyroid nodules can be from chronic inflammation or benign cysts. They can form if someone has an iodine deficiency, but this is rare in the United States and other developed countries.”

Other risk factors for a benign thyroid nodule include having an autoimmune disorder or issues with thyroid hormones, such as hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism .

“If the thyroid is not operating properly, in the instance of hypo or hyperthyroidism, it can develop what is called a multinodular goiter,” Dr. Kelvas notes. “This is where the thyroid swells, and someone will look like they have a swollen neck.”

And finally, a new study in Nature connected regular bluetooth headphone usage with thyroid nodule growth. (The researchers aren’t sure yet how or why bluetooth usage may cause growth of nodules.)

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When to worry about thyroid nodules

If you’ve recently discovered a thyroid nodule, don’t fret. “Most thyroid nodules are benign, so there’s nothing to worry about,” says Dr. Kelvas. Your doctor may perform a physical exam and schedule an ultrasound to diagnose the condition.

However, other symptoms in conjunction with a thyroid nodule may indicate a more serious underlying condition.

“These symptoms include things like unexplained rapid weight loss or gain, increased sweating, anxiety, new onset of panic attacks or episodes of rapid or irregular heart rate, difficulty swallowing or breathing or voice changes,” says Dr. Kelvas.

If you notice the nodule in tandem with other symptoms, or have a family history of thyroid trouble, your doctor may order a biopsy or blood tests in order to diagnose and treat the underlying condition.

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Thyroid nodule treatment

If you discover a thyroid nodule, it’s best to schedule an appointment with your doctor so they can rule out any possible malignancies. Once they’ve determined the nodule is benign, “it's just watch and wait,” Dr. Kelvas says. “The radiologist may recommend an ultrasound to watch it every 1-2 years” to monitor the size of the nodule.

Depending on its growth, your doctor may recommend more intensive treatment. “If it's a very large nodule and causing issues, or if it's cancerous, then surgical removal is an option,” says Dr. Kelvas. “There are also medications out there that can help.”

While these nodules are usually harmless, even in the worst-case scenario, thyroid cancers are very treatable.

“Most thyroid cancers are slow growing, not rapidly malignant,” says Dr. Kelvas. “So if someone seeks care, we have a good chance of catching it early.”

For more ways to keep your thyroid healthy:

Women Are 5 Times More Likely to Get Thyroid Eye Disease Than Men: See MDs’ Best Treatment Options

How Vitamin D for Thyroid Helped One Woman Beat Fatigue: “I Feel Like I’ve Aged Backward!”

Experts Say This Ancient Herb Can Help Rejuvenate a Weary Thyroid — And Your Energy

This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.