Protect Your Thyroid

The thyroid gland is a small but extremely important organ located in the front of our neck. This butterfly-shaped gland affects our metabolism, energy, weight balance, mood, and even our heart rate with the hormones it secretes. Therefore, thyroid health is much more closely related to our quality of life than we think.

What Is a Thyroid Nodule?

The thyroid gland, which resembles a butterfly in structure, is located in the front of the neck and is a hormone-secreting gland. The thyroid hormone it secretes regulates the body's metabolic activity and greatly affects a person's general health.

In areas with geographical iodine deficiency, the likelihood of thyroid hormone disorder is higher than in other places. Many health problems can arise today due to the hormone-secreting gland and thyroid hormone.

GUATR

This is the term used to describe the enlargement of the butterfly-shaped thyroid gland. Although goiter does not cause hormonal imbalances, the thyroid gland may enlarge during pregnancy, puberty, and menopause. Although this is considered normal, it is advisable to monitor it closely.

HYPOTHYROIDISM

This condition is characterized by insufficient secretion of thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism). It causes a person’s metabolism to slow down, leading to weight gain. In addition, it can lead to problems such as infertility, hair loss, abnormal bowel movements (constipation), and brittle nails. This condition can be largely managed with medication.

HYPERTHYROIDISM

It is a condition in which the thyroid gland secretes more thyroid hormone than necessary (overactivity). The person loses weight rapidly. In addition, hyperthyroidism—which can cause gastrointestinal abnormalities (diarrhea), hair loss, acne, and infertility—can be treated to a large extent with medication.

Non-Surgical Treatment of Thyroid Nodules

Thyroid ablation first emerged in Korea in 2007 and is now performed in various countries around the world. Our country (Turkey) is among the world’s leading countries in thyroid ablation and has physicians who are well-trained in this field. To benefit from the expertise of our physicians and learn about thyroid ablation, training programs are organized almost every month for physicians from abroad (from countries such as Italy, Spain, Thailand, Egypt, Israel, etc.).

The prevalence of thyroid nodules in the general population ranges from 30% to 40%.
Approximately 5% of this group has a malignant thyroid nodule.