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Nodules & Swellings
A swelling in the neck due to an enlarged thyroid gland is called a goitre. Nodules are lumps in the thyroid gland. Most are harmless but you should arrange an appointment with your doctor as soon as you find a lump or swelling.
Main causes of enlargement of the thyroid
- The main cause is unknown but thyroid nodules and enlargement are more common in women than men
- Women often develop thyroid enlargement during pregnancy and the menopause
- Diffuse enlargement is often caused by autoimmune thyroid conditions such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves' disease and can be associated with a change in thyroid function
- Certain drugs such as amiodarone (because of its iodine content) and lithium
- Previous x-ray treatment (radiotherapy) to the head or neck increases the risk of thyroid nodules
- Large amounts of radioactivity such as seen in Hiroshima and Chernobyl
- Iodine deficiency, although this is rare in the UK
- Unusual dietry habits (such as consuming large quantities of kelp which is a seaweed rich in iodine)
Investigations
- Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) - removes cells from the swelling for investigation
- Ultrasound scan - checks size and shape of thyroid
- Blood tests - check hormone levels
- X-rays - to check position of windpipe (trachea)
- Radioactive iodine scan - checks size, shape and whether over-active (“hot”) or under-active (“cold”)
Main types of thyroid nodules and swellings
- Single thyroid nodule (solitary nodule)
- Multiple thyroid nodules (multinodular goitre) - sometimes caused by an overactive thyroid
- Retro - or substernal goitre - thyroid develops lower down behind the breastbone (often a multi-nodular goitre)
- Diffuse enlargement - found in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease (autoimmune thyroid disorders)
More about single nodules
- Colloid nodule - thyroid tissue is enlarged
- Hyperplastic nodule - either solitary or part of a multinodular goitre
- Thyroid adenoma - a solid benign lump
- Thyroid cyst - swelling that contains fluid
- Thyroid cancer - rare and has a high cure rate
Treatment
This may involve one or several of the following:
- surgery
- radioactive iodine
- antithyroid medication
- levothyroxine tablets
It is well recognised that thyroid problems often run in families and if family members are unwell they should be encouraged to discuss with their own GP whether thyroid testing is warranted.
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News
12 April 2013 Helping to raise funds for the BTF
Monkey is a car insurance comparison site that makes donations to charities when policies are taken out. They have donated £300 to the BTF and if you sign up for a policy with them using this link they will make a £10 donation to the BTF
Notice of temporary unavailability of Eltroxin tablets
11 March 2013
Mercury Pharmaceuticals may have been supplying your thyroid medication in two forms; Eltroxin or levothyroxine tablets. Both are very nearly identical. The Eltroxin tablets are likely to be temporarily unavailable in the near future. This may mean that the pharmacist will give you levothyroxine tablets instead at exactly the same strength (after checking with your doctor). Switching to levothyroxine tablets is very unlikely to cause any problems as the two forms are switching to levothyroxine tablets is v unlikely to cause any problems as the two forms are the same and are produced by the same manufacturer. If you have any problems please let your doctor know. We apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause. Please contact Mercury Pharma Medical Information department in case of any queries:
Tel: 08700 70 30 33
Email:
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Rock up And Sing Concert
Congratulations to BTF who celebrated their 21st birthday with a stylish and uplifting show at Harrogate's beautiful Royal Hall on Sunday 24 March. The local rock choirs from Rock Up & Sing performed a number of songs which the audience clearly loved. By the time we got to 'Time Warp' and 'Dancing Queen' everyone was on their feet! We are very grateful to the many local businesses and individuals who supported us with generous donations to our raffle and to all those who gave their time and efforts to make the night such a success.
30 December 2012
Many congratulations to BTF Patron Josef Craig who won BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year earlier this month, and has been awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours List.
12 November
MHRA suspends licence for Teva levothyroxine 100 micgrogram tablets http://www.mhra.gov.uk/NewsCentre/Pressreleases/CON143688
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The Human Medicines Regulations 2012
The Human Medicines Regulations 2012 came into force on 14 August. The regulations have introduced some policy changes
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Soy? Coconut Oil? Kelp? Don’t know what to believe? False claims, quick fixes and promises exposed here.
British Thyroid Association British Thyroid Association - medical professionals encouraging the highest standards in patient care and research.
British Association of Endocrine and Thyroid Surgeons - the representative body of British Surgeons who have a specialist interest in surgery of the endocrine glands (thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal)