Thyroid nodules

15% to 35% of the German population (15% in northern regions, 35% in southern regions) suffer from iodine sufficiency causing an enlargement of the thyorid, because the thyorid is trying to balance the iodine sufficiency. In the course of this quick growth sometimes nodes are developing. Women are more often affected by this and there is a family disposition for the development of thyorid nodes. Nuclear radiation is also a risk factor for the disease. Malignant thyorid nodes are seldom (3 in 100.00 cases in Germany per year.

Sufficient intake of iodine (150 – 200 µg/d) that is contained in 10 gram (!) salt, therefore other sources of iodine or a medication therapy as prevention are highly recommended. Sources of iodine are seafood, milk and milk products.

Increased cervical amplitude, pressure-feeling, palpable nodes, with bigger nodes a trachea replacement. When suffering from nodes with a hormone production (toxic thyorid adenoma, hot nodes) in addition symptoms like suffering from a hyperthyreosis eg. agitation, sweating, shaking, diarrhea, weight loss, tachycardia, sleeping disorder. With malignant nodes an enlarged cervical lymph nodes, croakiness and weight loss.

By the intake of thyorid hormones it is tried to reduce the size of the nodes or even stop them from growing. A regular size control by means of an ultrasound examination shall be made even when suffering only from small nodes. Hot nodes can be treated by a radioiodtherapy if an operation is not possible or not wanted from the side of the patient. In the course of the radioiodtherapy the absorbed radioactive iod that is eliminating the overactive areas of the thyorid can be treated successfully. All other cases (enlarged, suspicious or fast-growing and malignant-suspicious nodes) shall be removed operable. In addition, malignant forms of nodes are treated with a radioiodtherapy after the operation has been made successfully.