[How to treat benign thyroid gland nodules]

Investigations within the framework of the thyroid gland initiative "Papillon" turned up an unexpectedly high level of pathogenic findings. Determination of TSH and sonography are considered the pillars of the diagnostic evaluation of the thyroid gland. Useful further investigations aimed at excluding functional disorders are, for example, the determination of FT3 and FT4 or a search for autoantibodies. To investigate suspicious nodules and to exclude malignant processes, additional scintigraphy and, were indicated, fine-needle puncture can be applied. Depending on the individual situation of the patient, the therapeutic option of choice is surgical operation or treatment with iodine-31 therapy. Medical treatment of nodular goiter is currently still controversial.