Thyroid nodules are more common than most people realize, and if you’ve been told you have one (or several), it’s normal to feel a mix of concern and confusion. The good news? Many nodules are harmless, and some can shrink or even disappear without invasive treatment.
In this guide, we’ll explore when that happens, why it happens, and what you can do today to support the health of your thyroid and your nodules—naturally and effectively.
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Thyroid nodules are clusters of tissue that form within the thyroid gland, and they’re incredibly common.
They’re especially prevalent in women over 40, and while most are benign, they still deserve our attention. Not because they always signal danger, but because they reflect changes in how thyroid cells are growing and organizing.
Roughly 3% to 7% of nodules can become cancerous, which is why they’re routinely monitored through screening and imaging. But that leads to an important question:
Can thyroid nodules shrink on their own, or are invasive procedures the only answer?
To understand that, it helps to know what nodules actually are. They’re essentially clumps of thyroid follicles, normally smooth, evenly spaced structures that produce thyroid hormones. When follicles start clustering irregularly, they can form lumps that disrupt both function and structure.
Key Insight: Most thyroid nodules can be asymptomatic and harmless, but some can disrupt thyroid levels and create local pain and swelling, impacting speech or swallowing.
Thyroid nodules can affect anyone, but they’re far more common in women, and their likelihood increases with age.
A good rule of thumb? Your age is roughly equal to your chance of having a thyroid nodule. That means if you’re 50, you’ve got about a 50% chance of developing one. By age 60, the odds go even higher.
They’re even more common in people already dealing with thyroid disease, and in that group, nodules are not only more likely, but slightly more prone to becoming cancerous. That’s why it’s especially important for those with thyroid issues to stay aware of their nodules and monitor any changes over time.
There are a couple of scenarios that I’d like to take you through here. The first is a scenario known as “autocorrection.” This is where nodules may be able to shrink or disappear as your thyroid heals spontaneously.
It is also possible that deliberate actions can make nodules more likely to shrink. A big controllable factor here is getting the right amounts of iodine. That’s because excess amounts of iodine can lead to thyroid nodules.
Key Insight: The balance of iodine in your body is so critical. You need to be right in the exact window for your best health, which is a concept I take you through in the Thyroid Reset Diet.
Let’s cover a couple more examples in detail…
There has also been data suggesting that keeping your thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) regulated can be a big factor here. If your TSH is well above range (in the 10-15 or 20 points and above), that’s not good for a lot of reasons.
The first steps to correct this are controlling your diet, while some may need medication in order to make further progress. If you are already on medication, it may help to think about the correct amounts to keep your TSH on the lower side of normal.
Autoimmunity can also be a factor here. If someone has Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, their level of antibodies and the amount of inflammation in their thyroid can predict how likely nodules are to grow or to become problematic. Or to shrink and cause little to no issue.
Another factor is insulin resistance. If you struggle with insulin resistance, this can cause the body to grow new fat cells and to make existing fat cells larger.
That same process can cause abnormal growth of tissues in the body, which includes thyroid nodules. But we do have some action steps that we can take.
The biggest single factor is weight loss. If weight loss is appropriate for someone, that will make them much more likely to have their nodules shrink naturally.
As I mentioned earlier, around 3-7% of thyroid nodules become cancerous. On the flip side, that means that 94-97% of them are completely benign.
If we keep that in mind, the odds will always be favorable. But cancer risks can be higher for those who have a history of being exposed to radiation. This means a high amount of ionizing radiation, which does not include things like microwaves.
Ionizing radiation is a much narrower subset. If you’ve had a lot of radiation, like being in or near a nuclear power plant, or high amounts of CT or PET scans, that can be relevant, but the major types of exposure are not really around anymore.
One of the main things that I encourage is a monthly self-exam. Take a minute each month and palpate your thyroid, watch your thyroid as you drink water, and if there are any changes, you will be one of the first to catch them.
While you might not be an expert right out of the gate, it will give you the opportunity to consider your thyroid more deeply. You may not know exactly what you’re looking for, but the main thing you’re looking for is changes over time. And, if things change, consult a specialist.
It’s also good to have regular ultrasounds, which are often how nodules are first identified. Based on these findings, it will often determine how soon you need another or any type of treatment you may need.
If you want to focus on shrinking your thyroid nodules, the first thing you want to do is ensure that you’re getting the right amounts of iodine.
On top of that, ensure that your TSH is at a reasonable range, while also keeping an eye on your thyroid antibodies and any changes or issues that may present themselves there.
We also know that nutraceuticals can make a big difference. Things like prunella, boswellia, curcumin, and certain kinds of spirulina can help nodules decrease by about 70% for three-quarters of people. That’s a pretty dramatic reduction with nutraceuticals alone.
Key Insight: I crafted a line of nutraceuticals called Thyroid-Specific Formulations, and within that line, we have a blend called “Nodule Control.” It’s all things from clinical trials that have been shown to work — you can take this quiz to see which ones may be right for you.
Your diet can also play a role. It’s good to have a range of vegetables and phytonutrients, and while some have expressed concern about goitrogenic foods, they are overall fun and tend to cut the risk of a lot of problems, including nodules and thyroid cancer.
As detailed above, they definitely can! While they don’t always, there are a lot of things that you can do to push the odds in your favour.
The top things to consider are creating a healthy examination routine for your thyroid (including self-exams or ultrasounds), natural options like regulating iodine, losing weight, and using nutraceuticals to stay on top of your nodules.
The fact is that most people can cut their risk of them growing or becoming cancerous simply by following the above. You can manage them safely, from the comfort of your own home, without the risk of invasive surgery or anything like that.
And the best starting point is by taking this quiz I created to help give you a personalized path forward to take control of your thyroid health. I made it with you in mind, and I hope it gives you the clarity you deserve to inform your next steps. Enjoy!
P.S. Whenever you are ready, here is how I can help you now:
Dr. Alan Glen Christianson (Dr. C) is a Naturopathic Endocrinologist and the author of The NY Times bestselling Hormone Healing Cookbook, The Metabolism Reset Diet, and The Thyroid Reset Diet.
Dr. C’s gift for figuring out what works has helped hundreds of thousands reverse thyroid disease, heal their adrenals, and lose weight naturally. Learn more about the surprising story that started his quest.
