Does thyroid cyst affect pregnancy?

Written by Zhang Li
Endocrinology
Updated on September 20, 2024
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Thyroid cysts generally do not affect pregnancy because they are merely morphological changes, meaning enlarged cystic nodules found in the thyroid. These nodules are typically fluid-filled and often non-functional, so they do not significantly impact pregnancy. However, since the thyroid can develop such cystic nodules or cysts, there might also be some functional manifestations. In other words, there could be both cysts and other thyroid function issues concurrently, which might affect pregnancy. Therefore, when thyroid issues are detected, it is necessary to undergo thyroid function tests before planning a pregnancy to determine whether it is safe to conceive and if there will be any impact on pregnancy.

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Written by Luo Han Ying
Endocrinology
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The difference between thyroid cysts and nodules

Thyroid cysts are a benign change in the thyroid, and are generally classified as first or second level in clinical analysis. Thyroid nodules may be solid or may have mixed echogenicity. The biggest difference between a thyroid nodule and a cyst is their composition: cysts usually contain fluid, whereas nodules may contain other substances. Secondly, the vast majority of cysts are benign, classified as sub-level. Nodules, however, may potentially be malignant, and are classified as third, fourth, or even fifth level. If it is a thyroid cyst, there is no need for excessive worry. If it is a thyroid nodule, it is crucial to complete an ultrasound classification and then schedule regular follow-up exams.

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Written by Zhang Li
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Do thyroid cysts require surgery?

Thyroid cysts are relatively common in clinical practice. Whether surgery is necessary depends on two factors. On one hand, it depends on whether the cyst is malignant. If the ultrasound reveals small calcifications within the cyst, or other signs of malignancy, then a fine needle aspiration of the thyroid should be carried out for a pathological examination. If the cyst is confirmed to be malignant, surgery is generally recommended. However, if the examination indicates that the thyroid cyst is benign with a low malignancy level, surgery is usually not required. However, if the thyroid cyst is large, affects appearance, causes significant swallowing difficulties or hinders neck movement, surgery can also be considered.

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Which department to see for thyroid cysts?

For which department to consult for thyroid cysts, firstly if it is just a routine physical examination and a thyroid ultrasound reveals a thyroid cyst, it is recommended to first consult the endocrinology department. An assessment of thyroid function should be conducted to see if the thyroid is functioning normally or abnormally. If it is confirmed to be simply a thyroid cyst, then the size of the cyst should be considered in deciding the next steps for treatment. If the cyst is not large and thyroid function is normal, it might be advisable to observe it for some time. If the cyst causes symptoms due to compression, surgical treatment in the department of surgery might be necessary, or dealing with the thyroid cyst using techniques such as radiofrequency ablation could be considered. Therefore, it is advised to first visit the endocrinology department and, based on the opinion of the endocrinologist, if surgical intervention is needed, then consult the breast and thyroid surgery department.

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Do thyroid cysts require surgery?

Thyroid cysts are benign nodules that generally only require follow-up observation. It is recommended to have a re-examination every 6 to 12 months, including thyroid ultrasound and thyroid function tests, to monitor the status of the cyst. If the cyst is large and affects breathing or even swallowing, cyst aspiration drainage can be performed, and nowadays radiofrequency ablation surgery is also an option. However, if the thyroid cyst shows signs of malignancy, a puncture for cytological examination is necessary to determine its benign or malignant nature. If it is malignant, thyroid cancer removal surgery is needed. Therefore, not all thyroid cysts require surgical treatment; it depends on the specific situation.

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What should I do if a thyroid cyst causes a fever?

Thyroid cysts are one of the most common benign masses found in the thyroid gland. Generally, they do not become cancerous and usually have no clinical symptoms; therefore, thyroid cysts themselves do not cause fever. If a patient with a thyroid cyst develops a fever, it is important to consider whether there might be a concurrent infectious disease. If there is pain in the area of the thyroid, it is necessary to evaluate for conditions such as thyroiditis or a thyroid abscess. A simple thyroid cyst alone would not cause a fever.