What are the symptoms of goiter nodules

Goiter nodules are a disease that we often hear about in life, and they are classified into benign and malignant. This disease is difficult to detect and treat in a timely manner because the symptoms are generally not obvious in the early stages. At the same time, because the thyroid gland occupies a very important position in the human body, the impact will be relatively large if it is not treated early. So we need to understand it in more detail. So, what are the symptoms of goiter nodules?

Clinical manifestations

1. Nodular goiter

It is more common in middle-aged women. When the body's thyroid hormone is relatively insufficient, the pituitary gland secretes more TSH. Under the long-term stimulation of this increased TSH, the thyroid gland undergoes repeated or continuous hyperplasia, leading to uneven enlargement and nodular changes in the thyroid gland. There may be hemorrhage, cystic changes and calcification within the nodule. The size of the nodules can range from a few millimeters to several centimeters. The main clinical manifestation is thyroid enlargement. Multiple nodules of varying sizes can be felt during palpation. The texture of the nodules is mostly of medium hardness. In a few patients, only a single nodule can be palpated. However, multiple nodules are often found during thyroid imaging or surgery. Patients do not have many clinical symptoms, generally only discomfort in the front of the neck, and thyroid function tests are mostly normal.

2. Inflammatory nodules

It is divided into infectious and non-infectious types. The former is mainly subacute thyroiditis caused by viral infection, while other infections are rare. In addition to thyroid nodules, subacute thyroiditis is clinically accompanied by fever and local thyroid pain. The size of the nodules depends on the extent of the lesions and the texture is tough. The latter is mainly caused by autoimmune thyroiditis, which is more common in middle-aged and young women. The patients have fewer subjective symptoms. Multiple or single nodules can be palpated during examination. The texture is hard and tough, with little tenderness. Thyroid function tests often show strongly positive thyroglobulin antibodies and thyroid microsomal antibodies.

3. Nodular toxic goiter

The disease has a slow onset and often occurs in patients who have had nodular goiter for many years. The age is mostly over 40 to 50 years old, and it is more common in women. It may be accompanied by symptoms and physical signs of hyperthyroidism, but the symptoms of hyperthyroidism are generally mild, often atypical, and infiltrative exophthalmos generally does not occur. When palpating the thyroid gland, a smooth round or oval nodule can be felt with clear boundaries and a hard texture. It moves up and down with swallowing, and there is no vascular murmur in the thyroid gland area. Thyroid function tests show elevated thyroid hormone in the blood, which is caused by functional autonomous nodules, and radionuclide scanning shows "hot nodules".

4. Thyroid tumor

Including benign thyroid tumors, thyroid cancer and metastatic cancer.

5. Thyroid cyst

The vast majority are formed by degenerative changes of goiter nodules or adenomas. The cysts contain blood or slightly turbid fluid, have clear boundaries with the surrounding areas, are hard in texture, and are generally painless. Radionuclide scanning shows "cold nodules". A small number of patients are caused by congenital thyrohyoid cysts or remnants of the fourth branchial cleft.

I hope everyone can understand the symptoms of goiter nodules. Because the thyroid gland is inextricably linked to many systems in the human body, such as the digestive system, endocrine system, etc., all require the participation of the thyroid gland, so if there are any problems, you must seek treatment in a timely manner and do not delay causing unnecessary problems.