What are the signs and symptoms of thyroid nodules?
A symptom is something the patient senses and describes, while a sign is something other people, such as the doctor notice. For example, drowsiness may be a symptom while dilated pupils may be a sign. Most thyroid nodules do not cause any signs or symptoms. Occasionally, however, some nodules become so large that they can be felt or they can be detected by the swelling at the base of the neck. They may become apparent when going about everyday activities such as shaving or putting on makeup, or tightening a shirt collar. In some cases, thyroid nodules produce too much thyroxine, a hormone normally secreted by the thyroid gland. The extra thyroxine can cause problems such as: • Nervousness • Rapid or irregular heartbeat • Sudden, unexplained weight loss Only a small percentage of lumps in the neck are malignant, and most thyroid nodules are benign. A nodule is more likely to be cancerous if it: • Grows quickly • Feels hard • Causes the person to become hoarse • Causes trouble swallowing
