40% of females in their 40's have thyroid nodules. Healing thyroid nodules and shrinking them without surgery is possible, but you need first to know more about them.
If you have been worried about nodules turning into thyroid cancer, then this article is for you.
Here we will explore the integrative approach to treating your thyroid!
So, What Are Thyroid Nodules?
Simply explained, Thyroid nodules are abnormal lumps of thyroid tissue. Your thyroid has a normal buildup of cells, called follicles. Follicles functions are:
Pulling in iodine,
Making thyroglobulin
Taking tyrosine
Utilizing thyroid peroxidase.
These little follicles of cells build hormones in your body. Performing all of the steps for your thyroid to function. However, if some parts remain uneven or are not the same texture, those are “nodules.â€
It is essential to determine whether or not these nodules are a problem.
What Can Cause Thyroid Nodules?
The leading cause of nodules in the modern world is Hashimoto's thyroiditis. The other reasons can also include exposure to radiation, iodine excess, and iodine deficiency. (See Hypothyroidism)
The risk of people getting thyroid nodules runs parallel to their age. For women, their age in decades corresponds clearly with their risk for developing nodules.
At age 30, there is a 30% risk of developing thyroid nodules. And 50 years old people have a 50% chance of developing thyroid nodules. The same goes for being 60 (60%) and 70 (70%). Quite simple to remember but essential not to forget.
Overall, for women, it is three times more common to develop thyroid nodules compared to men. Especially for women, getting to know more about their thyroid status is essential. But still, men should know the chances of developing thyroid problems and how it varies between genders.
Are Your Thyroid Nodules Dangerous?
You may be concerned that thyroid nodules will be especially dangerous for your health.
Thyroid nodules are usually not dangerous. There are natural methods for thyroid nodules.
Often, 95% or more pose no risk (benign). If you are concerned about thyroid nodules and having them, first, you need to determine whether or not you for sure have them.
Also, just having them doesn't mean that they are necessarily going to cause you harm. The majority of nodules are harmless.
What Are Symptoms Of Thyroid Nodules?
It is common to want to know possible symptoms for those at risk of developing thyroid nodules. People want to know whether they might feel something due to the thyroid nodules being present on their thyroid. What you should know is there are usually no symptoms.
If the nodules are big enough, they can affect speaking or swallowing. If they are massive, they can affect the nerves that allow your tongue to move properly. This is rare, and they are usually not ever painful.
If they are big or not in the right place, nodules can cause some discomfort on a certain level. However, this is pretty unusual. It's most likely not something you need to be actively worrying about.
How To Find Out If You Have Thyroid Nodules?
There are three effective methods to consider when finding out if you are dealing with thyroid nodules: doctor's exam, self-exam, and ultrasound.
Doctor's exams are able to pick up nodules somewhere around 10% of the time. Self-exams are similar unless you are doing it regularly and can pick up any irregularities yourself. The gold standard is, ultimately, ultrasound.
It is encouraged that all of those with thyroid disease have a screening ultrasound to determine the state of their thyroid.
This is the only method to definitively determine whether you have a potentially dangerous nodule that you have never noticed before.
What Steps Can Be Taken To Treat Thyroid Nodules?
There are a few things you can consider should the need arise.
Possibly needing to have a biopsy can be determined on multiple factors, such as your nodule is well over 1 centimeter in size, your nodule has calcified, and if your nodule has exaggerated blood vessels.
Now, considering all of the factors, you might want to have your nodule biopsied. This is because the nodule, at this point, looks like it could be developing into cancer.
Typically you should have some combination of these three to require surgery of any sort.
If you have a nodule that's biopsied, the next thing to consider is removal. How to know when to remove it?
the nodules are growing quickly
the nodule is putting pressure on nerves or vessels
we see high levels of thyroglobulin
there are abnormal lymph nodes nearby
These factors are important in deciding whether the thyroid nodule or portions need to be removed.
How To Reduce Nodules Naturally?
The most significant factors in handling thyroid nodules are: dialing in your iodine^2, reverse insulin resistance, and dialing in your TSH.
When it comes to TSH, let's think about the normal/optimal range. We have an extensive normal range and a very slim optimal range.
When it comes to nodules, what we want to do is get even narrower (between 0.5 and 0.9 but not lower than that).
How Does TSH Affect Your Nodules?
TSH stimulates the thyroid and while that might be good for a perfectly healthy thyroid, it can also promote nodules.
TSH and your nodules don't get along in the sense that more TSH causes your nodules to grow and could make them problematic. The lower you get your TSH to a normal level, the better opportunity you have of suppressing any potential nodule growth.
What Do We Know About Iodine?
When your iodine is well dialed in, you start to decrease your risk for thyroid nodules. Iodine is essential, and it is even more important to know the amount you are getting in your diet already.
Low iodine intake could lead to an increased potential for thyroid nodules. However you shouldn't get too much, but you also don't want to have too little.
Having too little Iodine is not right, and so is too much, and even a responsible change can be dangerous for specific segments of the population. That balance is delicate and it is so crucial that you get it correct.
Also, reversing our insulin resistance is ideal. There is data suggesting that you are more apt to grow nodules on your thyroid when your body has a more challenging time dealing with blood sugar.
When we are able to deal with how our bodies deal with insulin, it can go help in managing our risk for developing nodules.
What About Produce?
Significant amounts of produce in the diet can reduce the risk of nodules. It suppresses the growth of nodules and ultimately helps reverse them altogether.
Have your produce, and don't worry about it. You are better off having more types of different fruits and vegetables than fewer.
When you get more into your diet, you ward off nodules that may start appearing naturally. It's a tasty way of keeping your thyroid in check while being helpful.
Fruits and vegetables help your body detox naturally!
What Can Be Done Today?
You might want to start checking for thyroid nodules while looking for thyroid nodule treatments that are also natural.
Start taking more steps towards better health now.
Start performing monthly self-exams
Get a doctor's exam
Have an ultrasound of your thyroid
If you do have nodules, take the needed steps to cut your risk (cut your TSH and get it into the optimal range. Dial in your thyroid, and enjoy a diet that is rich in produce and cruciferous vegetables).
Keeping on top of thyroid nodules comes down to being aware of the state of your thyroid.
When you have followed the proper steps, you should be able to get a pretty good read of whether you have nodules almost right away. Keep in touch with your thyroid, and it will pay dividends.
Better Your Thyroid Management Today
It's important always to understand your body and know when it is trying to tell you something. Start taking in whole healthy food today, incorporate turmeric into your diet followed by exercise.
Some doctors recommend applying bentonite clay over your nodules, however, read this article on the dangers of clay before you do that (and more importantly talk to your doctor)!
Take the first step towards getting your thyroid back on track.
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Dr. Linda Khoshaba is the Leading Integrative Health and Hormone Doctor in Scottsdale, Arizona. She has extensive experience working in the field as a Hormone Specialist and Natural Endocrinologist.
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