Which department to see for thyroid cysts?

Written by Luo Juan
Endocrinology
Updated on September 05, 2024
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For which department to consult for thyroid cysts, firstly if it is just a routine physical examination and a thyroid ultrasound reveals a thyroid cyst, it is recommended to first consult the endocrinology department. An assessment of thyroid function should be conducted to see if the thyroid is functioning normally or abnormally. If it is confirmed to be simply a thyroid cyst, then the size of the cyst should be considered in deciding the next steps for treatment. If the cyst is not large and thyroid function is normal, it might be advisable to observe it for some time. If the cyst causes symptoms due to compression, surgical treatment in the department of surgery might be necessary, or dealing with the thyroid cyst using techniques such as radiofrequency ablation could be considered. Therefore, it is advised to first visit the endocrinology department and, based on the opinion of the endocrinologist, if surgical intervention is needed, then consult the breast and thyroid surgery department.

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Written by Luo Juan
Endocrinology
1min 7sec home-news-image

Which department to see for thyroid cysts?

For which department to consult for thyroid cysts, firstly if it is just a routine physical examination and a thyroid ultrasound reveals a thyroid cyst, it is recommended to first consult the endocrinology department. An assessment of thyroid function should be conducted to see if the thyroid is functioning normally or abnormally. If it is confirmed to be simply a thyroid cyst, then the size of the cyst should be considered in deciding the next steps for treatment. If the cyst is not large and thyroid function is normal, it might be advisable to observe it for some time. If the cyst causes symptoms due to compression, surgical treatment in the department of surgery might be necessary, or dealing with the thyroid cyst using techniques such as radiofrequency ablation could be considered. Therefore, it is advised to first visit the endocrinology department and, based on the opinion of the endocrinologist, if surgical intervention is needed, then consult the breast and thyroid surgery department.

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Written by Luo Han Ying
Endocrinology
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The difference between thyroid cysts and nodules

Thyroid cysts are a benign change in the thyroid, and are generally classified as first or second level in clinical analysis. Thyroid nodules may be solid or may have mixed echogenicity. The biggest difference between a thyroid nodule and a cyst is their composition: cysts usually contain fluid, whereas nodules may contain other substances. Secondly, the vast majority of cysts are benign, classified as sub-level. Nodules, however, may potentially be malignant, and are classified as third, fourth, or even fifth level. If it is a thyroid cyst, there is no need for excessive worry. If it is a thyroid nodule, it is crucial to complete an ultrasound classification and then schedule regular follow-up exams.

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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 Zhang Li
Endocrinology
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Do thyroid cysts require surgery?

Thyroid cysts are relatively common in clinical practice. Whether surgery is necessary depends on two factors. On one hand, it depends on whether the cyst is malignant. If the ultrasound reveals small calcifications within the cyst, or other signs of malignancy, then a fine needle aspiration of the thyroid should be carried out for a pathological examination. If the cyst is confirmed to be malignant, surgery is generally recommended. However, if the examination indicates that the thyroid cyst is benign with a low malignancy level, surgery is usually not required. However, if the thyroid cyst is large, affects appearance, causes significant swallowing difficulties or hinders neck movement, surgery can also be considered.

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Written by Zhao Xin Lan
Endocrinology
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Can people with thyroid cysts eat seaweed?

Thyroid cysts generally do not show any symptoms clinically and are mostly benign. They are usually solitary, but occasionally multiple cysts could be present. Currently, the exact cause of thyroid cysts is not completely understood. Some scholars believe that the formation of thyroid cysts is related to iodine deficiency. Others suggest that in areas with a high incidence of thyroid cysts, the iodine content is also relatively high, indicating that both exceptionally low or high levels of iodine could potentially be a cause of thyroid cysts. Seaweed is a food high in iodine. Eating seaweed occasionally should not have a significant impact, but consuming seaweed daily could lead to excessive iodine levels in the body, which is not advisable during periods of thyroid cyst affliction.