What foods are good for thyroid cysts?

Written by Chen Xie
Endocrinology
Updated on September 01, 2024
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For patients with thyroid cysts, it is necessary to check their thyroid function to understand their condition. For patients with hyperthyroidism, it is advised to avoid iodine-rich foods, such as seaweed, kelp, and seafood. However, patients with thyroid cysts are suggested to eat more foods that can enhance the immune system, such as shiitake mushrooms, mushrooms, wood ear mushrooms, walnuts, Chinese yam, and red dates. They can also eat some foods that help reduce nodules and swelling, such as spinach, mustard greens, and kiwifruit. Patients with thyroid cysts are advised to quit smoking and drinking, and avoid spicy and stimulating foods, such as chili peppers, Sichuan peppercorns, and onions. Additionally, they should avoid eating overly greasy foods.

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Written by Zhang Li
Endocrinology
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What causes thyroid cysts?

Thyroid cysts currently have no definitive cause identified. Previously, most believed they were possibly related to iodine deficiency, as such deficiency leads to thyroid hyperplasia and an increase in thyroid cysts. However, it was later discovered that in some high-iodine coastal areas, the incidence of thyroid cysts remains high. This suggests that variations in iodine levels, such as switches from low to high iodine or from high to low iodine, can also lead to the occurrence of thyroid cysts. Additionally, it is currently believed that there might be some connection with radiation and the use of mobile phones and computers, but there is no definitive conclusion. Regardless, once thyroid cysts occur, it is important on one hand to eliminate the possibility of malignant features, ruling out thyroid cancer, and on the other hand to ensure thorough thyroid function tests to understand if there are any abnormalities in function and whether treatment is needed.

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Written by Zhao Xin Lan
Endocrinology
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Where to massage for a thyroid cyst?

Thyroid cysts refer to fluid-filled sacs that appear in the thyroid gland. The current mechanisms of their development are not very clear and may be related to iodine metabolism, sex hormones, regional factors, dietary habits, and family history. Therefore, massaging will not provide any relief for thyroid cysts. Moreover, when the cysts are relatively large, massaging the affected area may induce the risk of bleeding from the thyroid cysts. Hence, if you have thyroid cysts, do not blindly resort to massage, as it not only lacks benefits but could also potentially lead to the rupture or enlargement of the cysts.

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Written by Zhang Li
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Do thyroid cysts need treatment?

Thyroid cysts generally do not require special treatment, as most thyroid cysts are quite small, and even larger ones usually do not cause significant clinical symptoms. However, treatment may be necessary in some cases, such as when a thyroid cyst becomes large enough to cause compressive symptoms, leading to difficulty breathing or swallowing, in which case puncture or surgery might be considered. On the other hand, if a thyroid cyst is accompanied by abnormalities in thyroid function, it is important to assess whether there is hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism and treat according to the specific functional state. Additionally, in a small number of cases where a thyroid cyst may have a tendency to worsen, a puncture biopsy is needed to make a diagnosis, and if confirmed, surgery and appropriate treatment should be carried out.

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Written by Zhao Xin Lan
Endocrinology
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Precautions for Thyroid Cysts

If an ultrasound has confirmed a diagnosis of a thyroid cyst, it's important to manage iodine intake in your diet. You should not consume too much iodine, but also not completely avoid it; a normal, regular diet is sufficient. Secondly, it is important to monitor any changes in the size of the thyroid cyst. Regular ultrasound checks and self-examination can help observe if there's any rapid increase in size locally. If the cyst grows significantly and is accompanied by pain, it might indicate the risk of bleeding within the cyst. Normally, do not massage the thyroid cyst, as massaging will not have any beneficial effects.

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Written by Zhao Xin Lan
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Can thyroid cysts be treated with minimally invasive surgery?

When the cyst is smaller than 5cm, minimally invasive treatment can be used. Thyroid cysts are generally benign lesions and rarely become malignant. A thyroid cyst refers to a fluid-containing cystic structure in the thyroid, commonly known as a blister. This blister can be large or small, and is usually asymptomatic when small. For its treatment, when the cyst is smaller than 5cm, a minimally invasive procedure involving fine needle aspiration can be performed to withdraw fluid from the cyst, followed by the injection of anhydrous alcohol to close off the cyst cavity and prevent recurrence. However, if the cyst is larger than 5cm, surgical treatment is recommended for complete removal.