1. During a physical examination at the hospital, the doctor said that a thyroid nodule was found. Is this thyroid nodule a nodular goiter? A thyroid nodule found on physical examination may not necessarily be a nodular goiter, but may also be a thyroid (cystic) adenoma, a high-functioning adenoma, or even a thyroid cancer. Further judgment is needed based on the feel of the examination, the description of the ultrasound and the puncture cytology. 2.What symptoms does nodular goiter cause? Is it always accompanied by hyperthyroidism? A: The symptoms of a nodular goiter depend on the size and location of the nodule. When the nodule is large, it may cause some pressure symptoms, such as a feeling of breathlessness or obstruction of swallowing. When nodules protrude from the surface of the thyroid gland, they can affect the appearance. Most nodular goiters are not associated with hyperthyroidism, which can be identified by checking thyroid function. 3. Why do all patients with thyroid disease need ultrasound and thyroid function? A: Ultrasound and thyroid function are the preferred tests for patients with thyroid disease. In layman’s terms, ultrasonography with physical examination can basically determine whether a patient needs surgery; while thyroid function tests determine whether a patient needs appropriate medication. 4.What kind of nodular goiter requires surgery? A: Retrosternal goiter; large nodules with pressure symptoms; nodules that affect appearance and life; combined with hyperthyroidism; suspected malignancy. Therefore, only a small number of patients with nodular goiter need surgery, and most patients just need to be observed. 5. What is the effectiveness of surgical treatment? Can nodules recur? A: There are many surgical options for nodular goiter and they are not uniform. They include removal of nodules, subtotal thyroidectomy, subtotal thyroidectomy, and thyroidectomy. However, patients with nodular goiter are still prone to growing new nodules, so the more goiters left behind, the greater the chance of recurrence after surgery. Therefore, we currently tend to grasp the indications for surgery and either do not perform surgery or essentially perform near-total and total removal of the glandular lobes as the main surgical procedure. However, the consequence of this may be the need for postoperative thyroid hormone replacement therapy. However, it is better to take the medication than to operate again. 6.What is lumpectomy thyroid surgery? How is the treatment effect? A: Lumpectomy thyroid surgery involves moving the surgical incision to an inconspicuous area, such as the armpit or areola, and has a cosmetic effect. Compared with open surgery, lumpectomy is only a different incision site, but the scope and effect of other surgeries are exactly the same. 7.What medication do I need to take after surgery? How to determine the medication plan? A: Generally, thyroid hormone supplementation is needed after surgery, and levothyroxine sodium tablets (Eugenol) are commonly used. 8.Why do some patients have hoarseness after surgery? What should I do afterwards? A: It is necessary to protect the recurrent laryngeal nerve during thyroid surgery. If the laryngeal nerve is damaged, it will cause hoarseness. Nerve damage is classified as transient or permanent. For example, a nerve pull or compression is a transient injury, while a nerve dissection or ligature is a permanent injury. Once it occurs, you can use some nerve nourishing drugs and do some articulation training. The transient injury can be recovered from one month to three months after surgery, while the permanent injury can only be pronounced if the nerve on the opposite side is compensated, which usually takes about six months. 9.Why do some patients have nodules in the thyroid ultrasound within a short time after surgery? A: Nowadays, the sensitivity of ultrasound is so high that nodules of several mm can be detected. Such a small nodule cannot be found during surgery, and if the (near) total removal of the thyroid lobe is not chosen, some smaller nodules may remain. However, as long as the nodules are not suspected to be malignant, they can be temporarily observed. 10.What tests are usually done at the first visit? Are they done on the same day of consultation? Can I get the results on the same day? A: Generally, thyroid function and thyroid ultrasound are required. If you come to the hospital earlier, you can get the results on the same day. If no further tests are needed, the doctor will advise on the next step of treatment on the same day.