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Suggest Treatment For Nontoxic Multinodular Goiter
Question: I have been diagnosed with a nontoxic multinodular goiter. I have had a fine needle biopsy and everything came back benign. My blood work is also normal- TSH is 1.48, T3 and T4 levels are well within normal ranges.
I have chosen to wait and watch it for now. I am trying to avoid foods that are goitrogens- soy, spinach, brassicas, etc- to see if that will help keep the nodules from growing larger. However, I do like to eat XXXXXXX broccoli, spinach, etc, for the taste and health benefits. I have heard that cooking these foods will destroy their goitrognic properties. Is that true? Is there even a benefit in avoiding these foods, or will the nodules continue to grow no matter what I do?
I have chosen to wait and watch it for now. I am trying to avoid foods that are goitrogens- soy, spinach, brassicas, etc- to see if that will help keep the nodules from growing larger. However, I do like to eat XXXXXXX broccoli, spinach, etc, for the taste and health benefits. I have heard that cooking these foods will destroy their goitrognic properties. Is that true? Is there even a benefit in avoiding these foods, or will the nodules continue to grow no matter what I do?
Brief Answer:
detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome to Healthcare Magic.
I read carefully your query.
A nontoxic goiter is a diffuse or nodular enlargement of the thyroid gland that is not associated with abnormal thyroid function.
It is true that some foods ,called goitrogenic foods, can inhibit iodine metabolism are can make worse a jodine deficiency.In developed country ,jodine deficiency is very rare and it is an uncommon cause of hypothyroidism in these countries since foods are fortified with Jodine.
A diet rich in goitrogenic foods (regular consumption) can make worse a underactive thyroid (Hypothyroidism).For this reason in patients with hypothyroidism that are starting treatment is recommended to reduce these foods ( spinach, strawberries, and peaches are less goitrogenic than broccoli, cauliflower,soy).
For people with a normal thyroid function ,it is not a problem eating these foods.These foods won't increase the size of the nodules.
These foods may interfere with iodine metabolism only when they are taken in large quantities, regularly.
The nodules in your thyroid gland may increase very slowly over years or stay the same but usually the function of thyroid gland is not affected.
Avoiding these foods ,when you a have a normal thyroid function ,won't cause any benefit.
There are some suggestions that cooking these foods will destroy their goitrogens effect but there is no evidence to confirm it.
Since your thyroid function is normal ,you don't have to avoid completely these foods you like.You can freely eat spinach ,strawberries ,broccoli, cauliflower.
Hope it helps.
Let me know if you need further help.I would be happy to help.
Take care,
Dr.Rovena Murati
detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome to Healthcare Magic.
I read carefully your query.
A nontoxic goiter is a diffuse or nodular enlargement of the thyroid gland that is not associated with abnormal thyroid function.
It is true that some foods ,called goitrogenic foods, can inhibit iodine metabolism are can make worse a jodine deficiency.In developed country ,jodine deficiency is very rare and it is an uncommon cause of hypothyroidism in these countries since foods are fortified with Jodine.
A diet rich in goitrogenic foods (regular consumption) can make worse a underactive thyroid (Hypothyroidism).For this reason in patients with hypothyroidism that are starting treatment is recommended to reduce these foods ( spinach, strawberries, and peaches are less goitrogenic than broccoli, cauliflower,soy).
For people with a normal thyroid function ,it is not a problem eating these foods.These foods won't increase the size of the nodules.
These foods may interfere with iodine metabolism only when they are taken in large quantities, regularly.
The nodules in your thyroid gland may increase very slowly over years or stay the same but usually the function of thyroid gland is not affected.
Avoiding these foods ,when you a have a normal thyroid function ,won't cause any benefit.
There are some suggestions that cooking these foods will destroy their goitrogens effect but there is no evidence to confirm it.
Since your thyroid function is normal ,you don't have to avoid completely these foods you like.You can freely eat spinach ,strawberries ,broccoli, cauliflower.
Hope it helps.
Let me know if you need further help.I would be happy to help.
Take care,
Dr.Rovena Murati
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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