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Most patients are unaware that they have a thyroid nodule. You
may notice an unusual lump in your neck, or a family member or
friend may comment about it. However, most thyroid nodules are
discovered during a physical examination for other conditions.
If you have been aware of your thyroid nodule for years, and it
has not grown or changed texture during this time, it is probably
not cancerous although it still must be evaluated . Also, if a
lump seems to appear quite suddenly, it is more than likely a
thyroid cyst (fluid filled nodule), which is rarely cancerous.
Most thyroid nodules do not make thyroid hormone. However, some
thyroid nodules function independently of the normal thyroid feedback
mechanism and may produce too much thyroid hormone. When this
occurs, the nodule is referred to as a toxic autonomously functioning
thyroid nodule; more than one toxic nodule is called a toxic multinodular
goiter. If you have either of these conditions, you can experience
the signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism. For example, you may
feel tired, nervous, irritable, and hot as well as lose weight
and have difficulty sleeping.
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