Thyroid nodules: Can they really be dissolved by diet and herbs?

Many patients, when they discover they have a thyroid nodule, often worry and look for foods or herbs to “dissolve” the nodule. However, doctors confirm that there is no food that can make thyroid nodules disappear. The important thing is to maintain a healthy lifestyle and have regular check-ups.

Ms. LTH (born in 1968, Hanoi ) often had symptoms such as swelling, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, and difficulty breathing. She went to the hospital for a blood test, thyroid ultrasound, and cell aspiration. The results showed a 3.8cm thyroid nodule. The doctor said this was a benign nodule. However, this female patient kept asking the doctor, what should she eat or what medicine should she take to dissolve this thyroid nodule? And if left for a long time, will it turn into cancer?

What to eat to "destroy" thyroid nodules?

In response to the patient's question, Dr. Duong Minh Tuan, Department of Endocrinology - Diabetes, Bach Mai Hospital said: "A thyroid nodule is like a small pebble lying at the bottom of a pond. Sometimes it will lie quietly, without causing any effect. However, if we are too worried, trying every day to "filter out that pebble", then that anxiety will make us tired."

There is no food, leaf or herb that can make thyroid nodules disappear on their own.

Doctor Tuan affirmed that science has proven that there is no food, leaf or herb that can make thyroid nodules disappear on their own. The appearance of nodules, whether large or small, depends on factors such as genetics, environment, age, gender, thyroiditis, autoimmune thyroid disease or iodine status...

Therefore, this doctor advises, what we can do is maintain a healthy lifestyle, through eating iodized salt and iodine-rich foods (sea fish, seaweed...) in moderate amounts, not too much; eat a variety of green vegetables, fruits, grains, limit fast food. Avoid unreasonable abstinence: soybeans, cabbage, cauliflower... can still be eaten normally. At the same time, it is necessary to get enough sleep, keep a comfortable spirit, limit cigarettes and alcohol.

“Most thyroid nodules will remain still and cause no harm. However, if the nodule grows rapidly, causing difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, or difficulty breathing, the doctor will consider surgery. Many people look for the secret of what to eat and drink to “eliminate” thyroid nodules. But the real secret is simply: eat normally, live a healthy life, and have regular check-ups,” said Dr. Tuan.

If left for a long time, will thyroid nodules "turn" into cancer?

According to Dr. Duong Minh Tuan, medical literature shows that the majority of thyroid nodules are benign and can “lie dormant” for life. In large studies, nodules were initially assessed as benign, but after many years of follow-up, only about 4-8% were later found to be cancerous. Notably, a portion of these were actually cancerous from the beginning, it was just that the technology at that time had not yet detected them.

“With benign tumors, “early preventive surgery” is not necessary for everyone, because the risk of cancer is very low, while thyroid surgery has many potential risks,” said Dr. Tuan.

Therefore, it is important to monitor through regular ultrasound, hormone testing, and cell aspiration when there are suspicious signs as prescribed by the doctor. Thereby, if there is a problem with the nucleus, we will detect it early and treat it promptly, with positive results.

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Source: https://baolaocai.vn/nhan-tuyen-giap-co-thuc-su-tan-nho-an-uong-va-thao-duoc-post882943.html