1. I usually eat iodized salt, but why do I still have thyroid nodules? It is true that most thyroid nodules develop due to iodine deficiency, but a long-term high iodine diet can also stimulate thyroid tissue hyperplasia and nodules by increasing the level of thyroid stimulating hormones in the body. Because iodine is already added to our salt, long-term consumption of seafood with high iodine content, such as kelp, can also easily cause thyroid nodules. 2. Is it better to have an operation or not to have a thyroid nodule? The decision depends on the size of the nodule, the results of the ultrasound examination and the results of the thyroid puncture. In general, surgery is recommended for thyroid nodules over 1 cm in diameter, especially for nodules over 1.5 cm. Nodules between 1 and 1.5 cm in diameter can be treated with thyroxine preparations for 6 to 9 months. If the nodule shrinks or does not continue to grow, surgery can be withheld and followed closely. However, nodules with sand-like calcification found by ultrasound or papillary hyperplasia found by puncture or suspected cancer must be operated regardless of size. 3.Why do I speak normally after thyroid nodule surgery but feel weak? This is mainly because the thyroid nodules are often dissected to avoid damaging the recurrent laryngeal nerve during surgery, which may cause edema of the recurrent laryngeal nerve or affect its blood supply, resulting in the phenomenon of straining to speak. However, this phenomenon will gradually disappear about 3 months after surgery as the edema subsides and the blood supply is restored. 4.Why does numbness in the hands and feet occur some time after thyroid nodule surgery? This is mainly due to the fact that the blood supply to the parathyroid glands is affected or the blood return to the parathyroid glands is blocked due to the necessity of cutting certain blood vessels during surgery for thyroid nodules. Numbness in the hands and feet can often be relieved by appropriate calcium supplements such as Calcium D tablets. This phenomenon will gradually disappear about 2 months after surgery as the blood supply is restored or the bruising subsides. 5.Why is the incision swollen and hard after thyroid nodule surgery? This is actually due to the normal edema reaction of the incision after surgery. Because of the extensive separation of the skin flaps above and below the incision during thyroid nodule surgery, this can easily cause edema in the tissues surrounding the incision. Especially in middle-aged and older women, the incision is easily edematous because the skin is loose and there is more fatty tissue. Patients should not be alarmed by this situation, as the edema is absorbed within 2 months after surgery and the incision will gradually return to flat. 6. Why is there a pulling sensation in swallowing and sometimes even coughing after thyroid surgery? This is related to the normal scar contraction reaction after thyroid nodule surgery. This is because, although there is only a line like scar on the neck after thyroid nodule surgery, the actual surgical trauma is much larger than this scar. This scar, like the neck incision, requires a normal scar reaction to recover, and during the scar reaction the scar will contract and pull on the trachea near the scar, causing a pulling sensation when swallowing and even irritating the trachea and causing a cough. 7.What are the precautions for taking thyroxine preparations? It is best to take thyroxine preparations in the morning on an empty stomach after waking up and eat breakfast about half an hour after taking the medication, so that the side effects of the medication can be minimized and the efficacy of the medication can be best. At the same time, avoid taking thyroxine preparations together with medications for stomach problems to avoid affecting the efficacy of the medication. 8.What are the dietary requirements after thyroid nodule surgery? To reduce recurrence after thyroid nodule surgery, you should eat less seafood and try to avoid iodine-rich foods such as kelp, shrimp and nori.