It's not easy to be a girl!
In a lifetime, you may have to face aunt pain, childbirth pain, postpartum depression... That's it! Even the physical examination is easy to find a common problem -
Thyroid nodules
So what exactly is the thyroid nodule, and where does it grow? Zhimei will talk in detail today:
The so-called "thyroid gland" is actually a gland on the neck, which everyone has.
Hello, I am the thyroid gland
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(Source: References[1])
A "thyroid nodule", on the other hand, is a solid/vesicle-grown nodule in the gland [1], which may be a single nodule or multiple nodules.
Single nodule (left), multiple nodules (right)
They usually grow up silently, are not aware of themselves, and are usually found by physical examination (such as thyroid ultrasound).
If there is no physical examination, they may continue to rivet in the back, and when they grow to a certain extent, they will not be able to hide - the result will be touched, seen, and even... It's so big that it's hard to breathe[1].
The appearance of thyroid nodules is closely related to many factors, such as increasing age, iodine deficiency or excessive iodine intake, and childhood radiation exposure, which increase the risk of thyroid nodules [2].
But another important factor is women.
According to Jonathan Russell, head and neck surgeon at Johns Hopkins Hospital in the United States, 80% of women will have a thyroid nodule once in their lifetime [3].
Unfortunately, the medical community does not yet have a definitive answer to this question. However, there are some speculations that may explain this phenomenon, and one of the mainstream speculations is that hormones [4].
In a woman's body, there are multiple hormones. These include hormones that are closely related to the menstrual cycle (such as follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, etc.) and thyroid hormones secreted by the thyroid gland.
These hormones are not independent of each other, but affect each other, and the secretion of one hormone changes, and the other may change sequentially.
As the menstrual cycle progresses, the hormones associated with it fluctuate violently, and as one of the important hormones that regulate the human body, thyroid hormones will naturally be affected by it and change.
Over time, thyroid disorders, such as thyroid nodules, can occur.
Hormones associated with the menstrual cycle change as the menstrual cycle progresses
In addition, there are some hypotheses, such as immunological hypotheses, genetics hypotheses, etc., but scientists have not fully understood the specific relationship, so let's not go into detail.
In this way, under the speculation of many, perhaps the joint action of various factors, or the strong promotion of a certain factor, in the end, women, became one of the favorite people of thyroid nodules.
Research by the National Cancer Center found that women are 2.9 times more likely to develop thyroid cancer than men [5].
So, the thyroid nodules that women are susceptible to, once they occur, are the dangers great, and should they be operated on?
Highlights:
Thyroid nodules should not be taken lightly. After all – it doesn't go away naturally.
About 90% of thyroid nodules are benign, and they either grow slowly or stagnate. But expecting them to disappear naturally seems unlikely[3].
Even benign nodules are not completely harmless.
Thyroid nodules sometimes secrete additional thyroid hormones, which can lead to symptoms similar to hyperthyroidism, such as weight loss, sweating, nervousness, and so on [1].
For women, these extra thyroid hormones may also affect the reproductive system. For example, interfering with the menstrual cycle, inhibiting ovulation, causing ovarian disease, etc. [4].
In short, as long as the organs and systems that are regulated by thyroid hormones, they may be affected by changes in thyroid hormones.
But the good news is that while it shouldn't be ignored, don't worry too much!
As mentioned earlier, thyroid nodules are mostly benign, and only 5% to 15% will develop into malignant [3].
And even if it is malignant, it is different from other cancers that make people smell discolored, thyroid cancer is a "relatively benign" cancer, and the 5-year survival rate of papillary cancer after surgery can reach more than 96%.
Therefore, even if you are unfortunate enough to have a thyroid tumor, you don't have to be too afraid.
As for what kind of thyroid nodule needs surgery, please rest assured that it will be judged by a professional doctor.
In general, if it interferes with normal life, or has abnormal hormone secretion, or has a tendency to become cancerous [3], it may be selected for removal.
How thyroid nodule patients eat, the key is to look at thyroid function.
Normal function: normal diet, seafood, kelp, iodized salt can be eaten in moderation. Do not eat more iodine-rich foods so as not to induce thyroid disease.
Nodules with hyperthyroidism ("hyperthyroidism"): It is difficult to achieve an absolute "iodine-free" diet in life, but pay attention to maintaining a low-iodine diet.
Finally, Zhimei would like to say that although women are more susceptible to thyroid nodules than men, it is not terrible.
Live a healthy and regular life, follow the doctor's advice for regular review or active treatment!
Image source: Stand Cool Helo
Reviewer
Guo Xiaohui | Chief Physician, Department of Endocrinology, Peking University First Hospital
bibliography
[1]https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/thyroid-nodules/symptoms-causes/syc-20355262
[2] Zamora EA, Khare S, Cassaro S. Thyroid Nodule. [Updated 2021 Sep 9]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535422/
[3]https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/thyroid-cancer/thyroid-cancer-what-women-should-know
[4]https://www.harleystreetent.com/blog/why-women-are-more-prone-to-thyroid-problems
[5] Omona, Kizito. (2020). Bleeding. 10.5772/intechopen.94079.
[6] Rahbari, R., Zhang, L., & Kebebew, E. (2010). Thyroid cancer gender disparity. Future oncology (London, England), 6(11), 1771–1779. https://doi.org/10.2217/fon.10.127
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