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What Is the Treatment for Hypoechoic Nodules?

Kristeen Moore
Kristeen Moore

Hypoechoic nodules are fluid-filled cysts that most often occur on the thyroid gland. The nodules are usually non-cancerous but can still cause problems within the thyroid, causing it to become under-active or overactive. The type of treatment for these cysts depends on how they affect the thyroid.

Having an under-active thyroid gland, which does not make enough hormones, is commonly referred to as hypothyroidism. The hormones made by the thyroid are responsible for regulating various body functions, including the heart rate, metabolism, and skin cell turnover. Common symptoms of hypothyroidism can include sudden weight gain, decreased appetite, and excessive fatigue, as well as dry skin and hair loss.

Hypoechoic nodules can cause the thyroid gland to become under active, which may lead to extreme fatigue.
Hypoechoic nodules can cause the thyroid gland to become under active, which may lead to extreme fatigue.

Hypoechoic nodules can sometimes prevent the thyroid from producing hormones. The way hypothyroidism is treated is through hormone replacement therapy with prescription synthetic hormones. Blood work is done in advance to determine what dosage of hormones the patient needs, since too much or too little can cause further problems.

An overactive thyroid is the exact opposite of hypothyroidism. Medically referred to as hyperthyroidism, the gland produces too much thyroid hormone. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism might include increased appetite, weight loss, insomnia, and anxiety.

Hypoechoic nodules can cause the thyroid gland to become overactive, which may lead to problems with insomnia.
Hypoechoic nodules can cause the thyroid gland to become overactive, which may lead to problems with insomnia.

Just as hypoechoic nodules can suppress thyroid hormone production, they can sometimes produce excess hormones. An overactive thyroid gland is usually a little more difficult to treat than an under-active one. Radioiodine treatments are used to destroy the part of the thyroid gland in which the nodules reside. This is typically done if hyperthyroidism progresses rapidly.

Regular ultrasounds may be necessary to track the growing rate of hypoechoic nodules.
Regular ultrasounds may be necessary to track the growing rate of hypoechoic nodules.

Some patients might exhibit no symptoms linked to nodules in the thyroid. In many cases, the cysts are not problematic enough to make the gland overactive or under-active. A medical professional might recommend a small dose of synthetic hormones to prevent further growth of the nodules, but this is done with care, since giving a patient too many hormones can lead to hyperthyroidism.

Hormone replacement therapy, which is often used to treat the symptoms of menopause, is also used to to treat hypothyroidism.
Hormone replacement therapy, which is often used to treat the symptoms of menopause, is also used to to treat hypothyroidism.

Whether the nodules cause hypo- or hyperthyroidism, an endocrinologist will likely recommend routine ultrasounds to track the progress of the nodules and watch to see if they are growing. Large nodules can cause a goiter, which is an enlarged thyroid gland that can eventually lead to neck pain and breathing troubles.

Surgery is a last resort treatment method that is necessary for a number of reasons. If hypoechoic nodules aren’t responsive during radioactive iodine treatments for hyperthyroidism, an endocrinologist may recommend removal of that part of the thyroid gland. Surgery can be used for goiters as well as for cancerous nodules.

Discussion Comments

croydon

@Iluviaporos - Well, I guess it's much more difficult to cure hyperthyroidism than it is to cure hypothyroidism since you can always give someone replacement hormones, but removing excess hormones can be impossible.

And no, the thyroid doesn't grow back, but it's actually a relatively common procedure to have it removed as it seems to have abnormal grow and to have cancers and so forth fairly often.

Hypoechoic thyroid nodules, for example, are found in almost half of young people, although obviously most of those won't even notice that they're there.

lluviaporos

It's kind of weird that these nodules can cause both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. I wonder if the people who end up having surgery or otherwise have to destroy part of the thyroid can be flung from one extreme to the other, as I'm not sure that you can grow back your thyroid.

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    • Hypoechoic nodules can cause the thyroid gland to become under active, which may lead to extreme fatigue.
      By: nebari
      Hypoechoic nodules can cause the thyroid gland to become under active, which may lead to extreme fatigue.
    • Hypoechoic nodules can cause the thyroid gland to become overactive, which may lead to problems with insomnia.
      By: bramgino
      Hypoechoic nodules can cause the thyroid gland to become overactive, which may lead to problems with insomnia.
    • Regular ultrasounds may be necessary to track the growing rate of hypoechoic nodules.
      By: poplasen
      Regular ultrasounds may be necessary to track the growing rate of hypoechoic nodules.
    • Hormone replacement therapy, which is often used to treat the symptoms of menopause, is also used to to treat hypothyroidism.
      By: forestpath
      Hormone replacement therapy, which is often used to treat the symptoms of menopause, is also used to to treat hypothyroidism.
    • Sudden weight gain is a common symptom of hyperthyroidism.
      By: Dave
      Sudden weight gain is a common symptom of hyperthyroidism.
    • Children suffering from hyperthyroidism may experience muscular weakness and anxiety.
      By: ivolodina
      Children suffering from hyperthyroidism may experience muscular weakness and anxiety.
    • Hypoechoic nodules are cysts that most often occur on the thyroid gland.
      By: nerthuz
      Hypoechoic nodules are cysts that most often occur on the thyroid gland.
    • If hypoechoic nodules do not respond to treatment, surgery may be used as a last resort.
      By: naypong
      If hypoechoic nodules do not respond to treatment, surgery may be used as a last resort.