{"id":865,"date":"2025-11-12T00:08:00","date_gmt":"2025-11-12T08:08:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gordongunnmd.com\/womens_wellness\/?p=865"},"modified":"2025-03-13T12:10:13","modified_gmt":"2025-03-13T19:10:13","slug":"what-to-know-about-thyroid-nodules-fullerton-ca","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/gordongunnmd.com\/womens_wellness\/what-to-know-about-thyroid-nodules-fullerton-ca\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Know about Thyroid Nodules | Fullerton, CA"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Thyroid nodules<\/strong> are growths or lumps that form within the thyroid gland, which is located at the base of the neck. The thyroid plays a crucial role in regulating metabolism, heart rate, and body temperature by producing hormones. While most thyroid nodules are non-cancerous (benign), they can cause concern and affect thyroid function, making it important to understand their causes, symptoms, and treatment options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What Causes Thyroid Nodules?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thyroid nodules can arise from several factors, although their exact cause is often unclear. Some common causes include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Iodine deficiency<\/strong>: Insufficient iodine intake can lead to an enlarged thyroid gland (goiter) and the formation of nodules.<\/li><li><strong>Genetic factors<\/strong>: A family history of thyroid conditions may increase the risk of developing thyroid nodules.<\/li><li><strong>Thyroid disease<\/strong>: Conditions such as <strong>Hashimoto&#8217;s thyroiditis<\/strong> (an autoimmune disorder) and <strong>Graves&#8217; disease<\/strong> can increase the likelihood of developing nodules.<\/li><li><strong>Age and gender<\/strong>: Women are more likely to develop thyroid nodules than men, and the risk increases with age.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In many cases, however, the exact cause remains unknown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Symptoms of Thyroid Nodules<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most thyroid nodules do not cause symptoms and are often discovered incidentally during a routine physical exam or imaging tests for other health issues. However, when symptoms do occur, they can include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>A noticeable lump or swelling in the neck<\/li><li><strong>Difficulty swallowing<\/strong> or breathing<\/li><li><strong>Hoarseness<\/strong> or changes in voice<\/li><li>Symptoms of <strong>hyperthyroidism<\/strong> (e.g., rapid heartbeat, weight loss, nervousness) or <strong>hypothyroidism<\/strong> (e.g., fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance) if the nodule affects thyroid hormone production.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Diagnosis and Treatment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To diagnose thyroid nodules, healthcare providers typically conduct a <strong>physical exam<\/strong>, followed by imaging tests such as an <strong>ultrasound<\/strong> to assess the size and characteristics of the nodule. In some cases, a <strong>fine needle aspiration biopsy<\/strong> may be performed to determine whether the nodule is benign or malignant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Treatment for thyroid nodules depends on several factors, including the size, type, and whether the nodule is causing symptoms. Most benign nodules do not require treatment beyond regular monitoring. If a nodule is causing symptoms or is found to be cancerous, treatment options may include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Medications<\/strong> to regulate thyroid hormone levels<\/li><li><strong>Radioactive iodine therapy<\/strong> or <strong>surgery<\/strong> to remove the nodule or part of the thyroid gland if necessary.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>While thyroid nodules are common and often benign, it\u2019s important to have them evaluated by a healthcare provider, especially if symptoms develop. Early detection and proper management can ensure that any potential issues are addressed, leading to a better outcome. If you notice any unusual lumps in your neck or experience symptoms like difficulty swallowing, consult with your doctor for a thorough evaluation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For more information on health and preventive care, contact Dr. Gordon C. Gunn MD in Fullerton, CA at 714-912-2211 or visit our website at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gordongunnmd.com\/\">www.gordongunnmd.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dr. Gordon Gunn proudly serves Buena Park, La Mirada, Yorba Linda, Diamond Bar, Walnut, and surrounding areas.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Thyroid nodules are growths or lumps that form within the thyroid gland, which is located at the base of the neck. The thyroid plays a crucial role in regulating metabolism, heart rate, and body temperature by producing hormones. While most thyroid nodules are non-cancerous (benign), they can cause concern and affect thyroid function, making it &hellip; <a href=\"http:\/\/gordongunnmd.com\/womens_wellness\/what-to-know-about-thyroid-nodules-fullerton-ca\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">What to Know about Thyroid Nodules | Fullerton, CA<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":31,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false},"categories":[57],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"http:\/\/gordongunnmd.com\/womens_wellness\/wp-content\/uploads\/iStock_000004059327Small.jpg","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3mKiD-dX","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/gordongunnmd.com\/womens_wellness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/865"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/gordongunnmd.com\/womens_wellness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/gordongunnmd.com\/womens_wellness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/gordongunnmd.com\/womens_wellness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/gordongunnmd.com\/womens_wellness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=865"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/gordongunnmd.com\/womens_wellness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/865\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":866,"href":"http:\/\/gordongunnmd.com\/womens_wellness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/865\/revisions\/866"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/gordongunnmd.com\/womens_wellness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/31"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/gordongunnmd.com\/womens_wellness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=865"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/gordongunnmd.com\/womens_wellness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=865"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/gordongunnmd.com\/womens_wellness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=865"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}