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Thyroid nodules with calcification - 3 FAQs
The human thyroid plays an important role in the body's endocrine system. The endocrine system is a series of organs throughout the body that secrete hormones that regulate many important brain, digestive and other functions. Specifically, the thyroid absorbs iodine from food and in turn releases two different thyroid hormones into the body. These hormones are essential for metabolism as every cell in the body requires these hormones to properly convert fat calories and oxygen into usable energy. When functioning properly, the pituitary gland - another organ of the endocrine system at the base of the brain - releases a special...
Thyroid nodules with calcification - 3 FAQs
The human thyroid plays an important role in the body's endocrine system. The endocrine system is a series of organs throughout the body that secrete hormones that regulate many important brain, digestive and other functions.
Specifically, the thyroid absorbs iodine from food and in turn releases two different thyroid hormones into the body. These hormones are essential for metabolism as every cell in the body requires these hormones to properly convert fat calories and oxygen into usable energy.
When functioning properly, the pituitary gland - another organ of the endocrine system at the base of the brain - releases a special hormone that tells the thyroid to get to work.
However, problems with the thyroid can cause it to produce too much or too little of the important hormones it was designed to produce. One such problem is thyroid nodules. Here you will find answers to 3 frequently asked questions (FAQs) about thyroid nodules:
1. What is a thyroid nodule?
A nodule is a bump or lump that can form on the edge of the thyroid itself. They are often visible outside the body on the neck and can sometimes be felt as a lump in the throat. They occur most often in women, but also in men.
Lumps can be either cancerous or non-cancerous. The vast majority are not cancerous, but only an examination by a qualified doctor can determine this with certainty.
2. What is nodule calcification?
Some nodules contain hardened calcium known as calcification. This condition can usually only be detected using ultrasound (sonogram). Calcification in the body is the result of the body protecting itself against something foreign, such as a lump or tumor.
3. Thyroid nodules with calcification – what are the risks?
Some doctors have found that calcified nodules pose a slightly higher risk of cancer than non-calcified nodules. However, only a biopsy of the lump can determine with certainty whether it is cancer.
These 3 FAQs help explain important observations about thyroid nodules with calcification.
Inspired by Everett Maclachlan