What are the symptoms of thyroid nodules?

Most thyroid nodules do not cause symptoms. Thus, most people may only realize they have a thyroid nodule when it is large enough to be noticed in the mirror, or found by chance during a physical examination, or incidentally picked up on investigations like ultrasounds, CT scans or PET scans. 

Some symptoms may include: 

• Pain: if there is bleeding into the nodule or inflammation. 
• Difficulty swallowing or breathing: if the thyroid gland or nodule is large. 
• Hyperthyroidism symptoms like heat intolerance, fast heart rate, weight loss and tremors: if the nodule produces excessive thyroid hormone. 
• Hypothyroidism symptoms including cold intolerance, lethargy, weight gain and weakness: if less thyroid hormone is produced. 
• Hoarseness: if there is a cancer invading the nerve supplying your vocal cords. This symptom warrants immediate attention.