Definition
The thyroid nodules are small cellular aggregates, of a more or less soft consistency, located at the base of the neck, precisely in correspondence with the anatomical site of this gland. Thyroid nodules represent a rather frequent condition among the population; fortunately, most of the time these cell clusters turn out to be simple cysts or benign adenomas, although they can sometimes develop into cancer (malignant tumor).
Causes
Thyroid nodules can be caused by thyroid disease (eg follicular adenoma, Hashimoto's disease), cysts, goiter, cancer (cancer can be both cause and consequence). The likelihood of thyroid nodules forming increases under certain conditions: iodine deficiency, old age, pregnancy, genetic predisposition, radiation, female sex.
Symptoms
Nervousness and excessive sweating are often signs of a possible thyroid lump; moreover, when the lump is of considerable size, the patient, in addition to easily perceiving its presence, often complains of difficulty in breathing and swallowing, pain, swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, hyper / hypothyroidism, feeling of suffocation, tension in the neck, cough, voice hoarse.
Information on Thyroid Nodules - Thyroid Nodule Treatment Drugs is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Thyroid Nodules - Thyroid Nodule Care Drugs.
Medicines
Some thyroid nodules are so small that they are not of particular concern; in this case, it is however necessary that the patient undergo periodic medical checks (thyroid function test, physical palpation, biopsy), to avoid a possible worsening of the nodule and monitor its progression.
When the thyroid nodule hinders the simple daily activities of the subject, or in any case represents a problem for the same, the possible treatment options can be various:
- Iodine supplement with the diet: it is recommended to take milk, fish, seafood, and to flavor foods with iodized salt. Iodine supplements can also be taken. These simple steps can help reduce the size of the thyroid nodule.
- Taking medications (radioactive iodine, thyroid hormones, Levothyroxia).
- Injection of ethanol: The injection of alcohol is also useful for shrinking the thyroid nodule.
- Laser therapy: useful for reducing the size of the benign thyroid nodule by facilitating the patient in breathing and swallowing.
- Surgery: surgical excision of the thyroid nodule is not only applicable to malignant forms; in fact, when the size of the nodule is such as to cause serious difficulty in swallowing and breathing, surgical excision represents a particularly effective alternative. to the thyroid were malignant, surgery is the treatment of choice (thyroidectomy); following the surgery, the patient must take specific drugs (eg Levothyroxine), to ensure the body the right amount of thyroid hormones. To learn more: see article on drugs for the treatment of thyroid cancer.
- Treatment for the cure of hyperthyroidism: some thyroid nodules can induce the gland to produce an abnormal and excessive amount of hormones. In this case, the patient will have to take targeted drugs to treat hyperthyroidism: radioactive iodine, methimazole (called also thiamazole) and potassium perchlorate are three substances widely used for this purpose. However, the risks and side effects deriving from similar therapy (essentially liver disorders) should not be forgotten.
We emphasize the possible drugs used in therapy for the treatment of thyroid nodules:
The following are the classes of drugs most used in the therapy against thyroid nodules, and some examples of pharmacological specialties; it is up to the doctor to choose the most suitable active ingredient and dosage for the patient, based on the severity of the disease, the state of health of the patient and his response to treatment:
- Radioactive iodine (Iodine 131): the patient with thyroid nodules can be treated with radioactive iodine. This drug is generally used in therapy for the treatment of thyroid cancer, as an alternative to surgery, but it can also be taken in case of thyroid nodules potentially at risk of degeneration into malignant neoplasm. Radioactive iodine is generally taken orally, in the form of tablets: it is then absorbed by the intestinal tissue, passes into the blood and is ultimately absorbed by the thyroid. The dosage should be established by the doctor.
- Levothyroxine (eg. Eutirox, Syntroxine, Tiracrin, Tirosint): the hormonal drug must be initially taken at a dose of 12.5-50 mcg per day. The dose can increase by 12.5-25 mcg per day every 2-4 This dosage is useful for balancing the level of thyroid hormones in the event of hypothyroidism, both in the context of a thyroid nodule and following surgery (removal of the thyroid). The intake of L-thyroxine is not only useful for reducing the size of the thyroid nodule, but also for stopping its growth. The drug is contraindicated in case of goiter of excessive size, women in menopause, subjects suffering from arrhythmias, men over fifty years of age. , suspicious lump.
- Methimazole or Thiamazole (eg. Tapazole, Bromazole): the drug is an antithyroid to be used for the treatment of hyperthyroidism in the context of thyroid nodules. It can also be taken as an alternative to thyroidectomy. The drug must be taken orally at the dosage varying from 15 to 60 mg per day, divided three times per day Consult your doctor.
- Potassium perchlorate (eg. Peritroid): like the previous drug, potassium perchlorate is also widely used in therapy to treat hyperthyroidism possibly associated with thyroid nodules. The drug is available in the form of 200 mg tablets: it is recommended to take 3-4 tablets a day (600-800 mg), divided into three doses each day. The first benefits of the drug are really noticeable after one month of treatment. However, potassium perchlorate is a second choice drug for the treatment of thyroid nodules.
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