Benign Nodules May Not Need Treatment After Menopause

Italian researchers looked at issues regarding treatment of benign thyroid nodules, a common condition. Using ultrasound tests, the size changes in nodules in women after menopause were measured. Approximately half the group received suppressive levothyroxine treatment, the other half had no treatment. Long-term follow up at 3 and 5 years did not show any significant change in the nodule size patients. Overall, the findings led researchers to conclude that the growth of benign thyroid nodules stops in the majority of women after menopause, and that few of these patients require or will benefit from thyroid hormone suppressive treatment.

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Source: Costante G, et. al. "Slow growth of benign thyroid nodules after menopause: no need for long-term thyroxine suppressive therapy in post-menopausal women." J Endocrinol Invest. 2004 Jan;27(1):31-6.