Can you get pregnant with a thyroid cyst?

Written by Zhao Xin Lan
Endocrinology
Updated on March 28, 2025
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Thyroid cysts refer to sac-like formations within the thyroid gland that contain fluid, typically benign with rare cases of malignancy. The fluid inside these cysts, also known as blisters, has no secretory function and does not affect thyroid function, making it possible to become pregnant with a thyroid cyst. However, it is important to note that during pregnancy, if the cyst rapidly enlarges or if there is localized pain, it could be due to bleeding inside the cyst which requires urgent treatment. Aspiration of the cyst fluid can be done through fine needle aspiration to relieve pressure, and ethanol ablation can be used to close the cyst cavity. This minor surgery is generally tolerable and does not affect pregnancy.

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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.

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Written by Chen Xie
Endocrinology
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Foods to avoid with thyroid cysts

For patients with thyroid cysts, it is necessary to first understand the patient's thyroid function, whether it is normal, overactive, or underactive. For patients with thyroid cysts who also have hyperthyroidism, a diet avoiding iodine is still necessary, as excessive iodine intake can significantly affect their hyperthyroid condition, therefore they need to consume iodine-free food. However, for patients with normal thyroid function or those with hypothyroidism, a normal diet is appropriate, and there is no need to avoid iodine. It is also recommended that they avoid smoking and alcohol in their daily life.

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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 Chen Xie
Endocrinology
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Do thyroid cysts require medication?

Patients with thyroid cysts who have normal thyroid function do not need oral medication treatment; they only need regular monitoring of thyroid function and thyroid ultrasound. However, patients with thyroid cysts accompanied by hyperthyroidism need to be treated for hyperthyroidism, either with oral medication, iodine-131, or surgery. When thyroid cysts are accompanied by hypothyroidism, oral hormone replacement treatment is also required to bring the thyroid function back to normal levels. Therefore, whether patients with thyroid cysts need medication depends on the results of their thyroid function tests.

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Written by Yang Li
Endocrinology
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Is a grade two thyroid cyst serious?

Thyroid cysts at Grade 2A are generally not very serious. If we consider supporting points for severity in the thyroid, finding one example is considered as first-level evidence, while finding one plus another one counts as second-level evidence. Generally speaking, once it reaches Grade 4A and above, attention needs to be paid as it suggests a malignancy, indicating a higher possibility of malignancy. If it’s below 4A, at Grade 3 and below, it typically suggests a greater likelihood of benign lesions. In such cases, it is recommended to follow up dynamically and definitely conduct an ultrasonic contrast examination.