Thyroid lumps in areas with low iodine
Structural and morphologic characteristics of nodular goiter in chronic iodine deficiency status
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Despite high nodule prevalence, malignancy risk remains very low
It might be expected that chronic iodine deficiency and constant thyroid stimulation would increase cancer risk, but 97% of nodules were benign, and only 3% had even mild suspicion.
Practical Takeaways
Ensure adequate iodine intake through diet or supplements if living in or from iodine-deficient regions.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Despite high nodule prevalence, malignancy risk remains very low
It might be expected that chronic iodine deficiency and constant thyroid stimulation would increase cancer risk, but 97% of nodules were benign, and only 3% had even mild suspicion.
Practical Takeaways
Ensure adequate iodine intake through diet or supplements if living in or from iodine-deficient regions.
Publication
Journal
Clinical and experimental thyroidology
Year
2023
Authors
E. Troshina, N. Makolina, E. A. Kolpakova, P. Nikiforovich, M. P. Isaeva, F. Abdulkhabirova, N. Platonova
Related Content
Claims (4)
Not getting enough iodine might cause abnormal cell growth in important glands and organs like the thyroid, breasts, uterus, and prostate.
In some parts of Russia where people don’t get enough iodine, lots of adults have lumpy thyroid glands, and most of those lumps are harmless. In two areas, Chechnya and Tula, over half and nearly half of adults had these lumps when checked with scans and tests.
In parts of Russia where people don’t get enough iodine, about 1 in 5 adults has a swollen thyroid gland, based on ultrasound checks done in large health surveys.
Most thyroid lumps in adults from iodine-poor areas of Russia are harmless, and only a tiny fraction look suspicious for cancer under the microscope.