Understanding Thyroid Nodules: When to Worry and What to Do
By Ahmet Ergin, MD | Diabetes, Thyroid & Hormone Center of the Treasure Coast
If you’ve been told you have a thyroid nodule, you’re not alone. These tiny (or sometimes not-so-tiny) lumps in the thyroid gland are surprisingly common—especially in women, people over 40, and those who live in areas with limited iodine intake. But let’s get this straight: most thyroid nodules are benign (non-cancerous) and don’t cause problems. That said, some need closer monitoring—or even treatment.
At Diabetes, Thyroid & Hormone Center of the Treasure Coast, we specialize in advanced, non-surgical thyroid nodule management, including Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)—a cutting-edge technique that helps many patients avoid thyroid surgery altogether.
So, let’s break it all down in simple terms…
What is a Thyroid Nodule?
Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck that controls metabolism, energy, and even mood. A nodule is simply a lump that forms inside the thyroid. You might have just one or several (multinodular goiter). Most nodules are discovered during a routine exam or an ultrasound done for another reason.
They can be:
- Solid or fluid-filled (cystic)
- Hot (producing hormones) or cold (not producing hormones)
- Benign or suspicious for cancer
Common Symptoms of Thyroid Nodules
Most nodules cause no symptoms at all. But larger ones may cause:
- A visible lump in the neck
- Difficulty swallowing or a “full” sensation in the throat
- Hoarseness or voice changes
- A choking feeling when lying flat
- Rarely, signs of hyperthyroidism (weight loss, anxiety, fast heart rate)
How We Evaluate Thyroid Nodules at Our Clinic
At our offices in Port St. Lucie, Stuart, Fort Pierce, Vero Beach, Jensen Beach, Jupiter, and West Palm Beach, we use a detailed, step-by-step approach to evaluate thyroid nodules:
1. Thorough Neck Ultrasound
This is the gold standard. Ultrasound tells us:
- The size and shape
- Whether it’s solid or cystic
- The margins—smooth or irregular
- If there are calcifications (tiny calcium spots that may suggest cancer)
- Rarely, signs of hyperthyroidism (weight loss, anxiety, fast heart rate)
If the nodule has increased blood flow
We follow the American College of Radiology’s TI-RADS system, which helps us classify nodules based on their features. Each feature gets a score. Higher-scoring nodules may need further testing like a biopsy.
2. Thyroid Function Blood Tests
We check your TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone), Free T4, and sometimes Free T3. If the nodule is “hot” (producing excess hormone), it may lead to hyperthyroidism.
3. Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) Biopsy
If a nodule looks suspicious or is larger than 1–1.5 cm, we use a tiny needle to extract a sample—done right here in our office under ultrasound guidance. The sample is examined by a pathologist using the Bethesda System, which tells us if the cells look benign, indeterminate, or cancerous.
Thankfully, most thyroid nodules are not cancer. But it’s important to stay vigilant. Types of thyroid cancer include:
Could It Be Thyroid Cancer?
- Papillary thyroid cancer – most common and slow-growing
- Follicular thyroid cancer – also slow-growing but can spread via blood
- Medullary thyroid cancer – rare, may run in families
- Anaplastic thyroid cancer – aggressive and rare
- Rarely, signs of hyperthyroidism (weight loss, anxiety, fast heart rate)
The good news? When caught early, thyroid cancer is highly treatable—even curable in most cases.
When Do We Treat a Thyroid Nodule?
You may need treatment if:
- The nodule is causing pressure symptoms
- It’s cosmetically bothersome
- It’s growing rapidly
- It has suspicious or indeterminate biopsy results
- You simply want peace of mind and a permanent solution
Cutting-Edge Treatment: Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
Here’s where our clinic stands out.
Instead of immediately sending patients for thyroid surgery—which can mean a neck scar, lifelong thyroid medication, and surgical risks—we offer Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) for large benign thyroid nodules.
What Is RFA?
RFA uses heat energy delivered through a thin needle to destroy the nodule tissue. It’s a minimally invasive outpatient procedure with:
- No general anesthesia
- No hospital stay
- No neck scar
- No need to remove the whole thyroid
- The nodule shrinks over time (often 50–80% within a year), and symptoms improve dramatically.
- The nodule is causing symptoms or growing
- You want to avoid surgery
- You live anywhere near the Treasure Coast and want an advanced, non-surgical option
What About Surgery?
Surgery is still necessary for nodules that:
- Are confirmed or highly suspicious for cancer
- Don’t respond to RFA
- Are causing severe symptoms that can’t be managed otherwise
Our team will guide you every step of the way if surgery is the best option. We collaborate with top surgeons in the region to ensure you receive the best care possible.
Why Choose Us?
At Diabetes, Thyroid & Hormone Center of the Treasure Coast, led by Ahmet Ergin, MD, we are proud to offer personalized, cutting-edge thyroid care in a compassionate environment.
We serve patients from:
- Port St. Lucie
- Stuart
- Fort Pierce
- Vero Beach
- Jensen Beach
- Jupiter
- West Palm Beach
Whether you need a second opinion, a high-resolution thyroid ultrasound, a biopsy, or RFA—our team is ready to help.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Panic, Get Evaluated
Finding out you have a thyroid nodule can be scary—but it doesn’t have to be. With expert evaluation and the right treatment, most people live completely normal lives with zero complications.
If you’ve been told you have a thyroid nodule—or just want to be proactive about your thyroid health—schedule a consultation today. Let’s take care of it together, the right way, right here on the Treasure Coast.
You can call us today or book online to schedule your thyroid evaluation.
Let us help you avoid unnecessary surgery—and get you back to feeling like yourself again.
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