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The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the neck. As an endocrine gland, the thyroid makes thyroid hormones. Diseases of the thyroid can result in an over or under production of thyroid hormones. The thyroid can also develop nodules; an abnormal overgrowth of thyroid cells that can produce symptoms relating to compression or less commonly develop into thyroid cancer.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”14px”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
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Hypothyroidism refers to a condition where the thyroid produces inadequate thyroid hormone for the requirements of the body. This is usually an autoimmune condition.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”14px”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
Treatment may require supplementation with thyroid hormones.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”14px”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
Multiple disorders of the thyroid can result in an over-active thyroid. This can be due to autoimmune conditions such as Graves\u2019 disease, inflammation such as thyroiditis, due to a genetic abnormality in a toxic adenoma or commonly with age as part of a multi nodular goitre.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”14px”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
The treatment depends on the cause of the hyperthyroidism and can range from medication, to radiation to surgery.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”14px”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
Thyroid nodules are very common, especially in older women. Most are benign and will cause no harm, though some may progress to compress surrounding structures and less commonly become cancerous. Enlargement of nodules can result in difficulty swallowing (if compressing the oesophagus), difficulty speaking (if compressing the nerve to the vocal cords) or even breathing (if compressing the trachea).[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”14px”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
Thyroid nodules are best imaged with a thyroid ultrasound. Management is then based on the features of the nodule in addition to size. This predicts the risk of malignancy and determines the need for biopsy of the nodule (FNA).[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”14px”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
Thyroid cancer is a condition that is being increasingly diagnosed with imaging for other causes. It generally has a good prognosis depending on the type:<\/p>\n
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Thyroid cancer treatment has changed much over time. Treatment will depend on the type of cancer and risk of recurrence. For low risk cancers, this may involve active surveillance of the cancer over time. Higher risk cancers require initial surgery; the extent of which is dependent on the size of the cancer and extent of spread. In addition to surgery, radioactive iodine and rarely radiotherapy or systemic chemotherapy may be required for higher grades of cancer.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”14px”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row disable_element=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1617166614469{padding-top: 22px !important;padding-bottom: 46px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
Specialists with our practice who have a focus of thyroid disease and cancer are:[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1615987799297{padding-top: 77px !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″]