Checkup data show increase in thyroid growths
Print Edition
Thyroid nodules, abnormal growths that form in the thyroid gland, have become a common endocrine complaint as neck ultrasounds become more widely used in routine health checkups.
The thyroid gland is located low in the front of the neck. Thyroid nodules can occur in any part of the gland. Some nodules can be felt easily during manual examination by a doctor, while others can be hidden deep in the thyroid tissue or located very low in the gland. For such growths, modern imaging technology is required for detection.
“The majority of thyroid nodules are benign, although people should still receive regular checks,” said Dr Yu Fei from Shanghai No.10 People’s Hospital.
In many cases, people with thyroid nodules experience no noticeable symptoms. When large nodules grow close to airways or the esophagus, people can feel pressure while breathing or swallowing food.
“First of all, only 2 to 5 percent of thyroid nodules are cancerous. A solitary nodule is more likely to be cancerous than multiple nodules,” Yu said. “People needn’t panic if thyroid nodules are detected. But people with both thyroid nodules and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis should be cautious, as they usually have a higher probability of developing thyroid cancer.”
A white paper released by Shanghai Foreign Service Co, one of the largest human resources agencies in China, found the incidence rate of thyroid problems rising from 4.3 percent to 12.2 percent over the past five years, based on a database on health checkup results from 400,000 office workers.
“Whether receiving treatment or not, people with thyroid nodules should receive regular checks and assessment every six to 12 months,” Yu said. “Ultrasound checks and blood testing are necessary to evaluate the nodules and determine whether cancer is present.”
“Even in the event of thyroid cancer, patients should not be too depressed as there is a high recovery rate after surgery,” he said, adding that “thyroid nodule surgery is a very mature and done with modern technology.”
Experts say there are ways to prevent and control the development of thyroid nodules.
Iodine intake in food has a large influence over the thyroid gland, with too much or too little iodine consumption linked to thyroid diseases and abnormalities.
As a greater variety of foods make their way into people’s diets, thyroid nodules caused by iodine deficiency are becoming rare these days, experts said. For people living in coastal areas exposed to salty air and diets rich in seafood, doctors recommend controlling intake of iodine-added salt.
For most adults, 100 to 200 micrograms of iodine every day is recommended to minimize the risks of thyroid abnormalities.
Doctors caution that foods with chemicals, pesticides and excessive additives have been linked to an increased risk of thyroid nodules. Smoking and diets that frequently include fried and pickled foods are also seen as bad for thyroid health.
“The thyroid is likely to be influenced by environmental factors like chemical exposure and bacteria,” Yu said. “Fatigue, strong work pressure, longterm over-time work and poor mental status are also all factors connected with thyroid diseases. This perhaps explains why thyroid nodules are found in more and more office workers.”
Thyroid health and pregnancy
Women who are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant should be on the lookout for signs of hypothyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid gland doesn’t generate enough thyroid hormone.
Nationwide, the incidence rate of hypothyroidism is 6.5 percent, but 10 to 15 percent among pregnant women.
This condition can not only lead to symptoms like fatigue, increased sensitivity to cold and weight gain among pregnant women, their unborn children face a heightened risk of developmental disabilities and cognitive impairments.
Women in the early stages of pregnancy or who are planning to start a family should receive a blood test to measure thyroid-stimulating hormones. Timely treatment can stave off adverse symptoms and the possibility of birth defects.
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