When a solid or fluid filled lumps grow within the thyroid gland is known as Nodular Thyroid and that lump is called as thyroid nodule. Often thyroid nodules are not serious and cause any symptoms but sometimes it might be serious or cancerous.

Types:

The main types are-

A fluid filled lump, sometimes filled with other debris known as Thyroid Cyst.

When thyroid gland contains multiple nodules known as Multinodular Goitres.

When toxic nodules produce too much thyroid hormone in an uncontrolled manner it is known as Autonomous.

Causes:

There are many conditions that can cause nodular thyroid, such as:

Iodine deficiency

Thyroid adenoma or overgrowth of normal thyroid tissue

Thyroiditis or chronic inflammation of thyroid

Thyroid cancer

Hashimoto’s disease (a condition where the immune system itself attacks the thyroid).

Risk Factors:

Some conditions increase the risk to develop thyroid nodules, such as-

A hard nodule or nodule stuck to a nearby structure

Family history of thyroid nodules

Females are at more risk than male

Older age people are at high risk

Exposure to radiation in past history increases the risk of developing thyroid nodules.

Symptoms:

Trouble breathing

Trouble in swallowing

When nodule release more thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism), it may cause-

Weight loss

More sweat

Heat intolerance

Irregular heartbeat

Weaken muscles

Tremor.

Prevention/Treatment:

In case of non-cancerous thyroid nodules treatment options are-

Wait and watch the patient's condition, because in some cases patient’s do not need any treatment.

Thyroid hormone therapy.

In hyperthyroidism case treatments are-

Radioactive Iodine

Surgery

Antithyroid medicines

In case of cancerous nodules surgery is the only option.

 

References:                                                    
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/13121-thyroid-nodule?__cf_chl_managed_tk__=UMsTPLoVNSuSw6G50DD8h2PAOXi9plDdaaP0Zm5j59g-1641979064-0-gaNycGzNCaU

https://www.pennmedicine.org/for-patients-and-visitors/patient-information/conditions-treated-a-to-z/thyroid-nodules

https://www.medicinenet.com/thyroid_nodules/article.htm#what_causes_thyroid_nodules_what_are_the_different_types

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/thyroid-nodules/symptoms-causes/syc-20355262

https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-are-thyroid-nodules?__cf_chl_managed_tk__=BMZ2LX4RrCk7kaH3wgkW54gQKo.Ja45LYppd5Ibgwvs-1641799615-0-gaNycGzNEKU