Thyroid problems: nodule, autoimmune, cancer?
Dr. Wendy Zhou, ND
What is thyroid?
Thyroid is a butterfly shaped gland in the lower, front side of the neck. It produces hormones to regulate metabolism and is important for all metabolic activities in the body. When the thyroid goes wrong, we often see blood sugar, blood pressure or cholesterol levels being affected. In early stages, thyroid dysregulation is not often felt through symptoms. As thyroid cancer disease progresses, people may feel tired, weight changes, decreased appetite, dry skin, loss of hair, mood changes, decreased concentration, and many more. The severity depends on the progression and time.
Thyroid Nodule
Nodules are just a growth on the thyroid that may be solid or filled with fluid. Modules are usually non-cancerous and do not cause symptoms, but malignant tumours are possible. Commonly, when the nodule looks strange on ultrasound or when the patient is at risk for potential malignancy, doctors often send those people to the hospital for a biopsy to determine cancer or non-cancerous.
Autoimmune
Most common cause of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune (or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis). This can also commonly happen postpartum (2-10 months after delivery). But other causes may be possible as well such as infection, medication or external neck radiation. Autoimmune disease occurs when the body recognizes thyroid antigen as being abnormal and mounts an autoimmune attack against them. This involves the infiltration of the thyroid gland with lymphocytes (a part of our white blood cells), and it destroys the functional thyroid tissues. A person who has other autoimmune diseases such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, should also be on the lookout for autoimmunity against other organ systems such as the thyroid.
Cancer
Thyroid cancer is the most common in the endocrine system. Women have a higher likelihood of developing thyroid cancer than men. The 5-year survival rate can be 99% or greater depending on the factors at the point of diagnosis. There are five main types:
- Papillary thyroid cancer
- Follicular thyroid cancer
- Hurthle cell cancer
- Medullary Thyroid cancer
- Anaplastic thyroid cancer
The most common cancer is follicular thyroid cancer. This cancer is slow growing and early spread to the lymph nodes. Papillary thyroid cancer also grows slowly, but has a higher chance of spreading to lymph nodes. Hurthle cell cancer can spread into the lymph nodes and forms from follicular cells. Medullary thyroid cancer may sometimes be a linked of genetic symptoms called MEN2. Lastly, anaplastic thyroid cancer is extremely rare, but it is a fast growing cancer that needs a lot more aggressive care.
Most cancers are may involve surgery and certain radioactive services for papillary, follicular and Hurthle cell. Thyroid hormone replacement may be something to expect for the long term. At Naturopathicliving medical solutions we work with our clients to provide holistics care.