[Fan Letters].Five years ago, during my mother's routine check-up last year, she was found to have a thyroid nodule about 1 cm in size. The doctor recommended a follow-up, but she didn't pay much attention to it at the time and didn't pursue a more detailed examination. Maybe it was negligence, or maybe it was a little contempt mentality when she was young, she chose to ignore this signal until now.
There are three adult women in my family, my mother, my sister-in-law and me. Worryingly, we have all been diagnosed with thyroid nodules. I was not spared in this matter, and unlike the benign nodules of my two family members, my nodules were malignant. The doctor recommended me for direct surgery, and I didn't even have other gentler ways to do it, such as puncture.
Thinking back to all three women in my family who had thyroid nodules, I began to wonder if it was caused by iodized salt. Five years ago, there was a negative news about iodized salt in China, saying that iodized salt caused a series of thyroid problems. Two of the three women in my family had benign nodules, which made me even more suspicious of iodized salt.
Although I had relatives who knew me from the hospital, they all advised me to have surgery. But I was always a little hesitant. After all, surgery is a more intense way, and there are people around me who have been successful through drugs. My mother, on the other hand, has been sticking to Chinese medicine** and is worried about the risks and discomfort caused by the surgery. She believes that as long as the nodules are not obvious and do not cause too much trouble to life, they can be slowly regulated through traditional Chinese medicine.
But my deep anxiety was not completely calmed by this view. I started looking for more information in the medical literature to figure out if surgery was really the only way out. At the same time, I also considered the financial situation of my family and the ** period after the surgery, which are all factors that I need to weigh.
Perhaps I still need more in-depth consultation and sober thinking on this issue. In any case, I decided to seek more professional advice first, work with my family**, and strive to make the most informed decision to protect my health.
[Doctor's reply].Thyroid nodules are a common thyroid disease, and many patients are often curious about whether it is related to diet, especially iodized salt. This article will focus on the topic of "the relationship between thyroid nodules and the consumption of iodized salt", and conduct an in-depth analysis of the causes of thyroid nodules from a scientific point of view, as well as the role of diet in it.
Causes of thyroid nodules
Thyroid nodules are small, lumpy lumps that form within thyroid tissue for a variety of causes. In general, the formation of thyroid nodules can be summarized as follows:
1. Genetic factors.
Genetic factors play a role in the development of thyroid nodules. Individuals with a family history of thyroid disease are more likely to develop thyroid nodules.
2. Insufficient or excessive iodine intake.
Iodine is an important component of thyroid hormones, but insufficient or excessive iodine intake can lead to the formation of thyroid nodules. This is related to the regulation of thyroid hormone synthesis and secretion.
3. Autoimmune diseases.
Some autoimmune diseases, such as autoimmune thyroid disease (e.g., Gr**es disease, thyroid autoimmune thyroiditis), may also trigger thyroid nodules.
4. Age and gender.
The incidence of thyroid nodules is relatively high in women and the elderly, which is related to factors such as changes in hormone levels and tissue aging.
Diet and thyroid nodules
Relationship between thyroid nodules and iodized salt.
Scientific studies have not drawn definitive conclusions about the relationship between thyroid nodules and iodized salt. Iodine is an essential element for thyroid hormones, but excessive intake of iodine may have negative effects on the thyroid gland.
Studies have shown that long-term excessive intake of iodine may lead to thyroid dysfunction, which in turn increases the risk of thyroid nodules. Proper iodine intake is an important part of maintaining thyroid health.
Dietary advice for patients with thyroid nodules
For patients with thyroid nodules, a reasonable diet can assist** and prevent it. Here are some suggestions:
1. Appropriate iodine intake.
Ensure the right amount of iodine intake and avoid excessive or insufficient iodine. You can choose foods rich in iodine, such as marine fish, kelp, etc.
2. Eat more foods rich in vitamins and minerals.
Vitamins and minerals are essential for the maintenance of thyroid function. Eat more nutritious foods such as fresh vegetables and fruits.
3. Low-fat, high-fiber diet.
Maintaining a low-fat, high-fiber diet helps maintain good health and has a positive effect on the regulation of thyroid nodules.
The formation of thyroid nodules is influenced by a variety of factors, and diet is an important aspect of this. Although iodized salt is associated with thyroid health to some extent, it is not the only contributing factor. The purpose of medical science is to provide scientific knowledge, guide people to treat health problems correctly, and advise patients to maintain a balanced diet, choose food carefully, and avoid over-reliance on one food or nutrient. Hopefully, this article will provide some useful information for readers who are concerned about thyroid health.