Are there natural methods to avoid thyroid nodule surgery?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 41-year-old male. My weight is 196 lbs, and my height is 6 feet. I have had nodules in the thyroid gland for the last two years. Initially, it started as a feeling of imbalance in the head about two years back. The initial assumption was vertigo, and later it was found to be a small nodule in the left lobe. The blood test performed about one and a half years ago revealed T3 104 ng/dL, T4 6.60 ug/dL, and TSH 0.04 mU/L.

The blood test performed about a year ago revealed a TSH of 68 mU/L. The blood test performed 10 months back showed T3 108.8 ng/dL, T4 7.2 ug/dL, TSH 0.73 mU/L, cholesterol 196 mg/dL, and blood pressure 90/130 mmHg. The blood test performed about two weeks ago showed T3 128.5 ng/dL, T4 8.8 ug/dL, TSH 0.73 mU/L, blood pressure 100/140 mmHg, cholesterol 96 mg/dL, cholesterol serum 235 mg/dL, triglycerides 193 mg/dL, LDL 143 mg/dL, HDL 53 mg/dL, VLDL 39 mg/dL, and FBS plasma 96 mg/dL.

The present signs and symptoms include trembling hands, high tension, anxiety, weight gain, high blood pressure, a kind of numbness in the head, and a type of missing balance (not giddiness). Currently, I am not taking any medicines. I wanted to know whether my problem is hyper- or hypothyroidism.

Should I need to do FNAC again? As the nodules are increasing, should I start taking an iodine food supplement? I have read both to avoid iodine supplements and to take it (case by case). Whether the iodine supplements will help to reduce nodules? Is there any natural way to reduce the chance of surgery? Are there any diet control suggestions for the condition? Is there any detailed specialist checkup needed? I am also attaching the previous four USG reports, the biopsy report, and the HRCT of temporal bones.

Please help me.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Basically, your scan reports (attachment removed to protect patient identity) are showing that you have thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid gland) along with a nodule in the thyroid gland. Because of this problem you are having the symptoms. Initially, you had hyperthyroidism due to thyroiditis, as your TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) was low, but eventually, from hyperthyroidism, you became normal thyroid, as your TSH has normalized. Instead of going for an FNAC (fine needle aspiration cytology) again, I recommend you get an iodine scan done for your thyroid. If that shows any problem, then you may have to get an FNAC of the nodule again. Most of the food contains iodine, and so there is no need for a special diet. But, anyhow, you will be given an iodine pill before doing the iodine scan.

I hope this helps.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Avoid cauliflower and spinach also. At this point, we cannot decide whether you need surgery or not. Only after the scan and, if needed, after a repeat FNAC can it be said with surety. Radioiodine therapy is an option other than surgery. If surgery is done, then the chance of a repeat nodule is less, but there is a possibility.

I hope this helps.