How Are Thyroid Nodules Diagnosed?

In addition to performing a thorough physical exam and taking a comprehensive medical history, your thyroid specialist may order a series of screening tests to evaluate your thyroid nodules. The types of testing used will depend upon many factors, including the size and location of your nodules, as well as your family history and risk factors. Proper thyroid treatment in NYC will be determined after testing.

How Is A Thyroid Biopsy Performed?

In some cases, a fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy will be performed to determine if there are cancer cells present within thyroid nodules. During this procedure, a tiny needle is inserted into the nodule and a small amount of fluid or tissue is removed. If there are multiple nodules present, tissue samples may be taken from additional nodules. The tissue is then sent out for microscopic evaluation, with results usually available within a few days.

What Are Some Common Thyroid Treatments In NYC?

Your thyroid treatment will depend on which types of nodules are present. In many cases, nodules are monitored every 6 to 12 months to check for any changes that might indicate a more serious, underlying condition. If changes are noticed, further tests may be ordered. If a nodule is cancerous, begins interfering with throat function, or demonstrates significant growth, then thyroid treatment will be recommended. Below are some common treatments for thyroid nodules.

What Are The Symptoms Of Thyroid Nodules?

Most thyroid nodules are small and do not cause any neck pain or outward symptoms, so they are often difficult to detect without a professional evaluation. Tiredness, muscle weakness, joint pain, unexplained weight fluctuations, and anxiety are just a few possible indicators of a thyroid disorder. In some instances, larger nodules may cause visible lumps around the throat. Patients may notice discomfort or difficulty when swallowing solid foods or liquids. However, in most cases, thyroid nodules are discovered by physicians while checking the neck during a routine physical examination.

What Are Thyroid Nodules?

Thyroid nodules are abnormal lumps that commonly occur in the thyroid gland. As we age, the likelihood of developing thyroid nodules increases, with more than half the world population expected to develop nodules by 50 years of age. While the vast majority of thyroid nodules are harmless, some nodules can cause problems with thyroid function and affect the surrounding structures in the throat. Approximately 5% of thyroid nodules are cancerous. Cancerous nodules often develop in otherwise normal thyroid glands and in patients who exhibit no outward signs or symptoms. It is extremely important for a thyroid specialist to check your neck regularly for signs of nodules and to evaluate any nodules that are discovered in order to determine the best thyroid treatment for you.

What Can I Expect Following Thyroid Nodule Surgery?

Surgical thyroid treatment requires 1-2 weeks off to recover. Patients are recommended to follow a liquid diet for the initial days of recovery because swallowing may be difficult. Pain medication will be prescribed to limit discomfort. Vigorous activities and exercise should be avoided until permitted by our thyroid treatment specialist. Patients who have undergone thyroid removal surgery may be given a calcium course to prevent low calcium levels in the blood (a condition known as hypocalcemia).

What Causes Thyroid Nodules?

While thyroid nodules are very common, in most cases, we don’t know what causes them to form. Thyroid nodules develop more commonly in women and are found more frequently in older patients. Other risk factors could include a diet lacking in iodine, a family history of thyroid nodules, and pre-existing thyroid diseases like hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid) and hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid). Autoimmune disorders like Graves’ disease and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis can also contribute to the development of thyroid nodules.

What Do The Results Of A Thyroid Biopsy Mean?

A thyroid biopsy can help determine if there are cancer cells present within the thyroid nodules. There are 4 categories of results for a thyroid biopsy: benign (non-cancerous), malignant (cancerous), indeterminate, and non-diagnostic. Depending on your biopsy results, ongoing evaluation, additional tests, repeat biopsies, or thyroid treatment in NYC may be recommended.

What If My Thyroid Nodules Are Cancerous?

Though a cancer diagnosis is very upsetting, it is important to know that most thyroid cancers are very treatable, and many can be cured completely with thyroid surgery. Dr. Shin will discuss your individual circumstances thoroughly with you. Together, you will decide on the best course of action for your thyroid cancer surgery.

Thyroid Treatment NYC | Thyroid Nodule Treatment New York

THYROID NODULES OVERVIEW
ABNORMAL LUMPS FOUND IN THE THYROID GLAND
NODULES VARY IN SIZE; MAY GROW LARGER OVER TIME
CAN CAUSE DISCOMFORT WHEN SWALLOWING OR SPEAKING
MAY BE CANCEROUS OR BENIGN
SCREENING TESTS CAN DETECT & DIAGNOSE THYROID NODULES
CONTINUAL MONITORING IS NECESSARY TO EVALUATE NODULES FOR CANCER
OFTEN CAUSED BY AN UNDERLYING THYROID DISORDER LIKE HYPERTHYROIDISM
MANY THYROID NODULES ARE ASYMPTOMATIC
THYROID TREATMENTS INCLUDE SURGERY, RADIOACTIVE IODINE, & ANTITHYROID MEDICATION

THYROID NODULES OVERVIEW

ABNORMAL LUMPS FOUND IN THE THYROID GLAND

NODULES VARY IN SIZE; MAY GROW LARGER OVER TIME

CAN CAUSE DISCOMFORT WHEN SWALLOWING OR SPEAKING

MAY BE CANCEROUS OR BENIGN

SCREENING TESTS CAN DETECT & DIAGNOSE THYROID NODULES

CONTINUAL MONITORING IS NECESSARY TO EVALUATE NODULES FOR CANCER

OFTEN CAUSED BY AN UNDERLYING THYROID DISORDER LIKE HYPERTHYROIDISM

MANY THYROID NODULES ARE ASYMPTOMATIC

THYROID TREATMENTS INCLUDE SURGERY, RADIOACTIVE IODINE, & ANTITHYROID MEDICATION

SCREENING TESTS MAY INCLUDE
Blood tests to check thyroid hormone levels
Thyroid ultrasound monitoring (nodules can be monitored every 6 months to look for changes)
Radioactive iodine scans
Biopsy to check for cancerous cells

SCREENING TESTS MAY INCLUDE

Blood tests to check thyroid hormone levels

Thyroid ultrasound monitoring (nodules can be monitored every 6 months to look for changes)

Radioactive iodine scans

Biopsy to check for cancerous cells

THYROID NODULE SYMPTOMS
THROAT LUMPS OR MASSES (MAY OR MAY NOT BE VISIBLE)
TROUBLE SWALLOWING OR SPEAKING
LACK OF ENERGY
JOINT OR BONE PAIN
SUDDEN WEIGHT GAIN OR WEIGHT LOSS
SENSITIVITY TO HOT OR COLD TEMPERATURES
HOARSE VOICE
MUSCLE ACHES
IRRITABILITY & MOODINESS
DEPRESSION OR ANXIETY
FREQUENT URINATION
RAPID OR IRREGULAR HEARTBEAT

THYROID NODULE SYMPTOMS

THROAT LUMPS OR MASSES (MAY OR MAY NOT BE VISIBLE)

TROUBLE SWALLOWING OR SPEAKING

LACK OF ENERGY

JOINT OR BONE PAIN

SUDDEN WEIGHT GAIN OR WEIGHT LOSS

SENSITIVITY TO HOT OR COLD TEMPERATURES

HOARSE VOICE

MUSCLE ACHES

IRRITABILITY & MOODINESS

DEPRESSION OR ANXIETY

FREQUENT URINATION

RAPID OR IRREGULAR HEARTBEAT

BENIGN (NON-CANCEROUS)
NO CANCER CELLS ARE FOUND IN THE NODULE
MOST NODULES ARE BENIGN & WON’T NEED TREATMENT
ONGOING MONITORING IS CRITICAL EVERY 6 TO 12 MONTHS TO CHECK FOR CHANGES
REPEAT BIOPSY IF CHANGES ARE NOTICED
SURGICAL REMOVAL IF NODULE CAUSES DISCOMFORT OR INTERFERES WITH THROAT FUNCTION

BENIGN (NON-CANCEROUS)

NO CANCER CELLS ARE FOUND IN THE NODULE

MOST NODULES ARE BENIGN & WON’T NEED TREATMENT

ONGOING MONITORING IS CRITICAL EVERY 6 TO 12 MONTHS TO CHECK FOR CHANGES

REPEAT BIOPSY IF CHANGES ARE NOTICED

SURGICAL REMOVAL IF NODULE CAUSES DISCOMFORT OR INTERFERES WITH THROAT FUNCTION

MALIGNANT (CANCEROUS)
CANCER CELLS ARE DETECTED WITHIN THE NODULE
MOST MALIGNANT NODULES CAN BE REMOVED SURGICALLY
IN SOME CASES, RADIOACTIVE IODINE ABLATION MAY BE USED
ONGOING MONITORING FOR RECURRENCE
RECURRENCE CAN BE TREATED WITH ADDITIONAL SURGERY OR RADIOACTIVE IODINE

MALIGNANT (CANCEROUS)

CANCER CELLS ARE DETECTED WITHIN THE NODULE

MOST MALIGNANT NODULES CAN BE REMOVED SURGICALLY

IN SOME CASES, RADIOACTIVE IODINE ABLATION MAY BE USED

ONGOING MONITORING FOR RECURRENCE

RECURRENCE CAN BE TREATED WITH ADDITIONAL SURGERY OR RADIOACTIVE IODINE

INDETERMINATE
UNABLE TO DETERMINE IF CANCER CELLS ARE PRESENT
APPROXIMATELY 10% TO 60% OF INDETERMINATE NODULES WILL PROVE TO BE CANCEROUS
ADDITIONAL TESTING MAY BE RECOMMENDED
SURGICAL THYROID TREATMENT MAY BE RECOMMENDED
CLOSE, ONGOING MONITORING MAY BE RECOMMENDED

INDETERMINATE

UNABLE TO DETERMINE IF CANCER CELLS ARE PRESENT

APPROXIMATELY 10% TO 60% OF INDETERMINATE NODULES WILL PROVE TO BE CANCEROUS

ADDITIONAL TESTING MAY BE RECOMMENDED

SURGICAL THYROID TREATMENT MAY BE RECOMMENDED

CLOSE, ONGOING MONITORING MAY BE RECOMMENDED

NON-DIAGNOSTIC
NOT ENOUGH THYROID TISSUE IS PRESENT TO MAKE A DIAGNOSIS
OCCURS ABOUT 10% OF THE TIME
REPEAT FNA BIOPSY IS RECOMMENDED
THYROID TREATMENT IS BASED ON RESULTS OF THE SECOND FNA BIOPSY
ONGOING MONITORING MAY BE RECOMMENDED

NON-DIAGNOSTIC

NOT ENOUGH THYROID TISSUE IS PRESENT TO MAKE A DIAGNOSIS

OCCURS ABOUT 10% OF THE TIME

REPEAT FNA BIOPSY IS RECOMMENDED

THYROID TREATMENT IS BASED ON RESULTS OF THE SECOND FNA BIOPSY

ONGOING MONITORING MAY BE RECOMMENDED

COMMON TREATMENTS FOR THYROID NODULES
Thyroid Surgery
Your thyroid surgeon can remove the nodule from the thyroid gland, along with any cancerous tissue that has spread around the nodule. Depending on your condition, full removal of the thyroid may be necessary. Learn more about thyroid surgery by clicking here.
Radioactive Iodine
Radioiodine can reduce symptoms of an overactive thyroid. Radioactive iodine can be taken orally as a pill or liquid dosage. The radioiodine is absorbed by the thyroid gland and destroys the targeted thyroid cells that form the nodule.
Antithyroid Medications
Antithyroid medications may help treat thyroid nodules caused by an overactive thyroid. These medicines reduce the amount of thyroid hormones in your body, which can restore proper hormone levels.

COMMON TREATMENTS FOR THYROID NODULES

Thyroid Surgery

Your thyroid surgeon can remove the nodule from the thyroid gland, along with any cancerous tissue that has spread around the nodule. Depending on your condition, full removal of the thyroid may be necessary. Learn more about thyroid surgery by clicking here.

Radioactive Iodine

Radioiodine can reduce symptoms of an overactive thyroid. Radioactive iodine can be taken orally as a pill or liquid dosage. The radioiodine is absorbed by the thyroid gland and destroys the targeted thyroid cells that form the nodule.

Antithyroid Medications

Antithyroid medications may help treat thyroid nodules caused by an overactive thyroid. These medicines reduce the amount of thyroid hormones in your body, which can restore proper hormone levels.

WHAT PATIENTS SAY ABOUT DR. SHIN

Dr. Shin is an exceptional physician for quite a number of reasons. His bedside mannerism is excellent as he always listens attentively and patiently to my concerns, without ever being dismissive. Let me also note that he is compassionate, caring, and sensitive – always taking the time to try and diminish my fears. Ultimately, as a patient, I always feel listened to, and equally as important, I walk away feeling confident in his diagnosis and treatment plan.

- Anna H.

Considering the challenges in our current healthcare system, it’s very easy for doctors to see their patients merely as subjects to the disease or condition, hence taking away that human side that affects the patients’ wellness. However, Dr. Shin is different. He’s not only a brilliant doctor, he is very genuine and humble. He listens and provides the highest standards of care!

- Era M.

I have been a patient of Dr. Shin for 2 1/2 years and he literally saved my life. Dr. Shin diagnosed my very rare head/neck cancer and referred me to a top oncologist in the field. He continues to treat me post-cancer for residual issues and I give Dr. Shin my strongest recommendation. Dr. Shin also has a terrific bedside manner.

- Douglas S.

I have been dealing with sinus infections for more than a decade. In recent years sinus infections had gotten more frequent and were affecting my daily life more. I switched doctors and was referred to Dr. Shin for septoplasty. I breathe much better than I have in years. Dr. Shin is a humble doctor who truly cares and listens. I would recommend him to any person in need of an ENT, especially for surgery.

- Karina M.

I have been seeing Dr. Shin for over 2 years now, during which he and his team have patiently diagnosed and treated me. Dr. Shin also performed a sinus surgery that has completely improved my quality of life. I recommend Dr. Shin and his office to all of my friends and colleagues who experience sinus troubles.

- Tina Z.

When I was pre-diagnosed with lymphoma, I was referred to see Dr. Shin for a biopsy. Knowing the metastatic nature of the disease, the staff offered an immediate appointment so I can have my cells examined as soon as possible. The biopsy was conducted by Dr. Shin himself and it was quick and painless. Dr. Shin was very good because he was gentle and knowledgeable. In addition, I was well informed of the procedure before, during, and after.

- Sarah P.

Excellent doctor, highly recommended. After the hearing test was conducted the doctor provided consultation and diagnosed the causes of the hearing loss. The office provided an interpreter who helped to translate for the patient who doesn't speak English.

- Maria D.

Dr. Shin is an excellent physician who always takes the time to listen to his patients. He addresses their concerns with his knowledge, expertise, and sensitivity...a perfect blend of an expert in his field coupled with a wonderful bedside manner. I would highly recommend Dr. Shin.

- Anonymous

Dr. Shin was polite, knowledgeable, and an effective communicator. He referred me to specialists who were excellent. Sometimes the referral process can be drawn out, but Dr. Shin and his office did everything they could to move things along in a timely fashion.

- Anonymous

He explained the situation that I had and did not rush the check up. He asks if you have any questions and will answer your questions more in depth when prompted. Overall a very friendly and patient doctor. I would definitely recommend.

- Anonymous