Prevention

Thyroid nodules cannot be prevented.

The American Thyroid Association recommends that all adults be tested beginning at age 35 and continuing every 5 years.² But after reviewing all of the research, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has not recommended for or against routine thyroid testing.³ Some other groups suggest that people who are high-risk—women older than 60 and anyone who has a family history of thyroid disease or who has other autoimmune diseases—may want to be screened.⁴ Talk to your doctor about whether you need to be tested for thyroid problems.

Home Treatment

Most thyroid nodules are not cancerous. Many thyroid nodules do not need medical treatment. If you have a thyroid nodule that is being watched, schedule regular medical checkups to see whether there are any changes.

If you have had surgery to remove your thyroid gland, it is important to:

• Take your medicine at the same time each day and do not miss a dose.
• Take only your regular dose, even if you miss a dose. Do not "double up" the next day.
• Call your doctor if you have symptoms of hyperthyroidism, such as feeling nervous, having a fast heartbeat, sweating more than usual, and losing weight.
• Ask your doctor or pharmacist if your thyroid medicine can be safely mixed with other prescription or nonprescription medicines you take.

If you have had radioactive iodine treatment for thyroid nodules, call your doctor if:

• You have neck pain. This may mean your thyroid gland is swollen.
• You have symptoms of hypothyroidism, such as feeling tired, feeling cold when others do not, and gaining weight.