While thyroid nodules can be common among thyroid patients they aren’t normal, meaning they shouldn’t be there.
What are thyroid nodules any way?
Thyroid nodules are fluid filled or solid lumps that develop on the thyroid. They can be in different places on the thyroid and they can vary in size.
You may never even know they are there unless found by physical examination or ultrasound. They may never cause any symptoms but some can cause issues like pain, difficulty swallowing or breathing, especially if it is a large nodule.
It’s very common for people with Hashimotos to have nodules and women are 3 times as likely as men to have them.
Types of nodules
Goiter
A goiter may be an overall enlargement of the thyroid, or it may be the result of irregular cell growth that forms one or more lumps (nodules) in the thyroid. A goiter may be associated with no change in thyroid function or with an increase or decrease in thyroid hormones.
Cysts
Fluid filled cavities that aren’t usually cancerous. 90% of nodules are NOT cancerous but you always want to have them checked by your doctor to be sure.
Inflammatory nodules
These occur due to antibodies with Hashimotos
What can cause thyroid nodules to form?
Hashimotos can cause them since it causes inflammation in the thyroid.
Toxins (which is why I harp on removing them from your home and personal care).
Radiation, so always ask for a thyroid guard when you get x rays!
Pregnancy causing excess estrogen
Estrogen dominance (which is often caused by birth control pills which is why I say to get off of them!)
Eating inflammatory foods
Nutritional deficiencies can cause nodules too. Things like low iodine, Vitamin D or selenium. Be sure to check those and supplement if low.
Signs and Symptoms
Most won’t cause symptoms but if they do here is what you’ll see:
neck, ear or jaw pain
hoarse voice
trouble swallowing
trouble breathing (feeling like your throat is closing)
some can cause hyperthyroidism if they produce hormones
Check your neck
Make sure to examine your neck often if you have thyroid issues. Feel all around the thyroid gland.
Grab a mirror, tip your head back and take a drink of something. If you see a bulge while swallowing be sure to consult your doctor. You could have nodule and you always want to rule out cancer.
Your doctor will do a physical exam, ultrasound and maybe a biopsy. Most of the time you won’t have cancer and they will just want to monitor it.
If you don’t have cancer, you can actually shrink thyroid nodules!
How to shrink thyroid nodules
Find your nutritional deficiencies and supplement as I mentioned above.
Remove inflammatory foods from your diet.
Get off of birth control pills.
Support your liver so that it can clear out toxins. Learn more about how to do that HERE. And ditch toxins in your home and personal care.
Do castor oils packs on your thyroid. Watch this short Tik Tok HERE where I showed how to do that step by step. (No worries if you don’t have Tik Tok, you can still watch it!)
Then go HERE to order your own thyroid castor oil pack. You can get just the Original Organic Castor Oil Pack for Thyroid Kit or go ahead and grab the Hormone Balance and Detox kit that has castor oil packs for both the liver and thyroid. You want to do them for both!
Don’t panic if you find a thyroid nodule! Just follow the tips above and most of the time they aren’t an issue if you shrink them.
If you have any questions about this, send me a message on Instagram HERE! I am happy to help!
For more help reversing your hypothyroidism or Hashimotos symptoms apply for a one on one session HERE with me and let’s get you on the path to a life without thyroid symptoms.
Helping you go from feeling fat, frustrated and fatigued to feeling fabulous again,
Melodye
