Benign Thyroid Nodules Treatment
If the biopsy suggests that the thyroid nodule is benign, the doctor may suggest simply watching the patient and the thyroid nodule. The duration of observation is however somewhat arbitrary. Observation usually implies repeating thyroid blood tests, ultrasound, and physical examination in approximately one year. If the thyroid nodule should increase in size or establish symptoms, repeat biopsy or another intervention may be indicated. Thyroid nodules that don’t change over a period of years may never require any treatment whatsoever.
Thyroid Hormone Therapy
Although there is little to no evidence to support that taking thyroid hormone effects the growth of benign thyroid nodules, the practice of prescribing thyroid hormone for benign thyroid nodules continues. In theory, prescribing thyroid hormone can lower the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) production of the pituitary gland and thus decrease the stimulation to growth of thyroid tissue.
Surgery
Sometimes clearly benign thyroid nodules are managed with surgery. Some potential indications for removing benign thyroid nodules include:
The thyroid nodule is large (producing a visible mass in the neck)
The thyroid nodule is producing symptoms on the breathing tube or swallowing tube
The thyroid nodule is producing excessive thyroid hormone
Thyroid nodules which have Indeterminate or suspicious for cancer FNAs.
Multinodular goiters producing symptoms
Malignant Thyroid Nodules (Cancer) Treatment
Almost all thyroid nodules which are malignant are treated by surgery. The options of extent of surgery including total removal of the thyroid gland (total thyroidectomy) versus removal of half of the thyroid gland (thyroid lobectomy) will be discussed by the surgeon and your Endocrinologist. Only expert thyroid cancer surgeons should be performing thyroid surgery because the risk to the patients including the nerves to the voice box and glands that control calcium are significantly higher in those that do not do these types of surgery routinely and frequently.
Source- Thyroid Cancer Center