If you have a thyroid nodule, a biopsy can tell your doctor whether the nodule is benign or cancerous. However, just because you have a thyroid nodule does not mean you need a biopsy. Thyroid nodules are very common, and the vast majority of them are benign. Nevertheless, it is important to evaluate larger or more suspicious nodules as soon as possible to determine if they are cancerous.
To determine whether you need a biopsy, your doctor may first perform an ultrasound or computed tomography (CT) scan of your neck. Sometimes, these scans provide enough information to conclude that a nodule is not cancerous and therefore does not need a biopsy. However, if these scans show a nodule with suspicious characteristics, a biopsy might be necessary.
Blood Test vs. Biopsy
Another test your doctor may perform to determine whether you need a biopsy is a serology test (or blood test). This test measures the levels of several hormones and proteins in your blood. One example of a hormone that your doctor might measure is thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). If your TSH levels are high or normal, and your nodule looks suspicious on ultrasound or CT, you will likely need a biopsy.
After reviewing the results of your imaging and/or blood test(s), your doctor may decide that a biopsy is unnecessary. However, these tests could make your doctor aware of other thyroid problems. For example, your doctor may find that you have toxic thyroid nodules (a condition known as toxic multinodular goiter). Although these nodules are typically benign, they produce thyroid hormone without responding to the signals which keep thyroid hormone levels balanced. This unregulated overactivity can result in the release of too much thyroid hormone into the bloodstream (a condition known as hyperthyroidism) which requires its own treatment.
Conclusion
If you discover that you have a thyroid nodule, be sure to ask your doctor whether they think a biopsy is necessary. If your doctor recommends a biopsy, be sure to read our post: 7 Questions to Ask Your Doctor Before a Biopsy to make sure you are fully informed before your procedure.
Sources
- Thyroid Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy
- Serology ‣ THANC Guide
- Computed Tomography (CT) Scan ‣ THANC Guide
- Thyroid Ultrasound ‣ THANC Guide
- Biopsy ‣ THANC Guide
- Thyroid Biopsy: Types, Purpose, Procedure, Results
- Toxic Nodule and Toxic Multinodular Goiter
