Should I Self-Check For Thyroid Nodules?

That lump on your throat could be nothing – or it could be sign of a thyroid disorder or thyroid cancer.

But how do you know if you should be concerned about thyroid nodules? And should you check for them yourself?

Michael Hancock, MD, an Indianapolis endocrinologist with Franciscan Physician Network Diabetes & Endocrinology Specialists, explains what is a thyroid nodule, if you should self-check for thyroid nodules, and what to do if you think you have a nodule on your thyroid gland.

What Are Thyroid Nodules?

Thyroid nodules are abnormal growth of thyroid cells that forms a lump within the thyroid gland on your neck.

Most thyroid nodules do not cause symptoms, but some may produce excess amounts of thyroid hormone, causing hyperthyroidism. Others, based on their location in your neck, may cause problems with breathing, swallowing or cause a “tickle in the throat.”

How Common Are Nodules On Your Thyroid Gland?

By age 60, about one-half of all people have a nodule on their thyroid gland, according to the American Thyroid Association. Fortunately, more than 9 out of 10 of thyroid nodules are benign, meaning that most thyroid nodules do not mean thyroid cancer.

“Thyroid nodules are very common,” Dr. Hancock said. “Most of those nodules are not cancerous. In adults, about 10% of thyroid nodules are cancerous.”

Should I Check For Thyroid Nodules At Home?

With 20 million Americans having thyroid disease, should you self-check for thyroid nodules at home? The United States Preventative Service Task Force, which develops recommendations on health screening tests such as colonoscopies and mammograms, evaluated the evidence that was available for thyroid self-exams.

“They were not able to find enough evidence to show that for the general population a routine thyroid self-exam at home is effective in improving outcomes with thyroid cancer,” Dr. Hancock said.

The best way to find a thyroid nodule is to make sure your physician examines your neck.

“If you're really interested in doing thyroid self-exams at home, what I would encourage is, when you're at a yearly physical with your doctor or your primary care doctor, to ask them to go through it with you,” Dr. Hancock said.

Do I Need Treatment For A Thyroid Nodule?

Talk to your doctor if you find a possible nodule on your thyroid gland. He or she will give you a physical examination and determine if any next steps for treatment are needed.

“If you feel something, then they can help decide if that’s a normal structure that I'm feeling or is that something abnormal?” Dr. Hancock said. “And you can allay those fears immediately.”

If you do have a thyroid nodule, your doctor will work to determine whether the rest of your thyroid is healthy. This may include a physical examination and laboratory tests to measure your thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).

Are Thyroid Nodules Cancerous?

Most thyroid nodules are benign and not cancerous, but some nodules on the thyroid gland do contain thyroid cancer.

Your doctor may decide to order specialized tests such as thyroid ultrasonography and fine needle biopsy.

All thyroid nodules that are found to contain a thyroid cancer, or that are highly suspicious of containing a cancer, should be removed surgically by an experienced surgeon. Most thyroid cancers are curable.

Listen Now: Thyroid Health & Thyroid Cancer

Franciscan Health endocrinologist Dr. Michael Hancock discusses thyroid cancer signs, diagnosis and treatment in the Franciscan Health Doc Pod podcast.