Which department should I go to for a thyroid cyst?

Written by Li Lang Bo
Endocrinology
Updated on January 29, 2025
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It is generally recommended to see a general surgeon, or an endocrinologist, as thyroid cysts are usually benign tumors that essentially remain stable in nature. Surgery is only considered when the cyst becomes very large and causes compressive symptoms, such as compressing the trachea leading to breathing difficulties, or compressing the esophagus causing difficulty swallowing. In such cases, you should consult a general surgeon. For a typical thyroid cyst, it is necessary to check thyroid function to ensure it is normal and to regularly review with ultrasound to monitor any changes in the cyst. If there is a sudden increase in size or significant compressive symptoms, it is advisable to seek surgical treatment from a surgeon.

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Written by Luo Juan
Endocrinology
1min 30sec home-news-image

Are thyroid cysts dangerous?

Generally speaking, thyroid cysts are benign lesions and are not dangerous. First, let's understand what thyroid cysts are. A thyroid cyst is a fluid-containing cystic formation found in the thyroid gland. Typically, the lump is round, smooth, painless, or may cause slight pain, and can move up and down with swallowing. Most cysts are solitary nodules, and it is less common to find multiple nodules. Additionally, if the cyst is large or if there is bleeding within the cyst, it can cause symptoms of compression such as pain, difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing, and hoarseness. We know that about 10% of cystic nodules are malignant, hence, it is important to understand the nature of a thyroid cyst. If it is malignant, surgical removal is necessary. Furthermore, if the nodular cyst is large and causes compression symptoms, surgery is also required. However, most are benign lesions, and thyroid function is within the normal range, so no special treatment is needed, just follow-up observation. Therefore, whether thyroid cysts are dangerous depends on the circumstances.

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Written by Zhao Xin Lan
Endocrinology
1min 1sec home-news-image

Can thyroid cysts eat kelp?

It is recommended to eat in moderation. Thyroid cysts are one of the common benign occupational lesions of the thyroid gland. The growth of cysts is very slow, and generally, there are no uncomfortable clinical symptoms. Occasionally, when there is bleeding within the cyst, there can be local pain and a rapid increase in the size of the mass. The cause of thyroid cysts is not yet very clear, and it may be related to iodine metabolism. Some scholars believe it is related to iodine deficiency, while others think it is related to excessive iodine intake. Seaweed contains a very high amount of iodine. It is advisable to eat seaweed appropriately, but it is not recommended to eat seaweed daily. Eating seaweed daily can lead to an excessive intake of iodine, which might further develop the thyroid cyst or cause multiple thyroid cysts to appear.

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Written by Li Lang Bo
Endocrinology
49sec home-news-image

Which department should I go to for a thyroid cyst?

It is generally recommended to see a general surgeon, or an endocrinologist, as thyroid cysts are usually benign tumors that essentially remain stable in nature. Surgery is only considered when the cyst becomes very large and causes compressive symptoms, such as compressing the trachea leading to breathing difficulties, or compressing the esophagus causing difficulty swallowing. In such cases, you should consult a general surgeon. For a typical thyroid cyst, it is necessary to check thyroid function to ensure it is normal and to regularly review with ultrasound to monitor any changes in the cyst. If there is a sudden increase in size or significant compressive symptoms, it is advisable to seek surgical treatment from a surgeon.

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Written by Yang Li
Endocrinology
46sec home-news-image

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.

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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.