Can Thyroid Nodule Patients Consume Seaweed?

Thyroid nodules sometimes affect thyroid function. If they manifest as hyperthyroidism, it is not advisable to consume foods high in iodine such as kelp. However, if thyroid function is not affected, kelp can be consumed in moderation. A bland diet is generally recommended, with limited intake of high-iodine foods. It is also important to rest well and undergo regular thyroid ultrasonography.

1. Hyperplastic nodular goiter: This can be caused by excessive or insufficient iodine intake, consumption of substances that cause thyroid enlargement, use of drugs that cause thyroid enlargement, or defects in thyroid hormone synthesis enzymes.

2. Tumorous nodules: These include benign thyroid tumors, papillary thyroid carcinomas, follicular cell carcinomas, medullary thyroid carcinomas, undifferentiated carcinomas, lymphomas, and other malignancies of thyroid follicular and non-follicular cells, as well as metastatic cancers.

3. Cysts: Cysts can also lead to the formation of thyroid nodules, such as nodular goiter, degenerative changes in adenomas, cystic changes due to old hemorrhagic patches, cystic changes in thyroid cancer, congenital thyroglossal cysts, and cysts caused by remnants of the fourth branchial cleft.

4. Inflammatory nodules: Acute suppurative thyroiditis, subacute suppurative thyroiditis, and chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis can all manifest as nodules. In rare cases, thyroid nodules may be caused by tuberculosis or syphilis.