Thyroid
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What thyroid disease is
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped organ at the front of the neck that makes the hormones controlling the speed of your metabolism. Too much hormone causes an overactive thyroid (palpitations, weight loss, trouble tolerating heat, shaking hands), and too little causes an underactive thyroid (tiredness, weight gain, feeling cold, swelling). It is diagnosed fairly simply with a blood test.
Source: 질병관리청 국가건강정보포털 · as of 2026-08-05
Which department to go to
Endocrinology is the main department. If there is a nodule (a lump), an ultrasound is done and, if needed, a fine-needle biopsy. If surgery is needed, you are referred to surgery (thyroid and endocrine surgery).
Treatment and day-to-day care
- Underactive thyroid: taking thyroid hormone medicine (levothyroxine) on an empty stomach in the morning, steadily, allows a normal life. Do not stop it on your own
- Overactive thyroid: treatment starts with antithyroid medicine, and depending on how it goes, radioactive iodine treatment or surgery is considered
- Nodules: most are benign. Depending on their size and shape, you have regular follow-up ultrasounds or a biopsy
- If you are planning a pregnancy or are pregnant, be sure to tell your doctor (the dose may need adjusting)
Source: 질병관리청 국가건강정보포털 · as of 2026-08-05
Frequently asked questions
I have a thyroid nodule and I am worried it might be cancer
Thyroid nodules are very common in adults and most are benign. Ultrasound findings are used to sort them by risk level, and a fine-needle biopsy is done only when it is needed. If you keep to the follow-up interval your doctor recommends, there is no need to worry too much.
Do I have to stop eating iodine (gim and miyeok seaweed)?
At the level of a normal Korean diet, most people need no restriction. But a low-iodine diet is needed before radioactive iodine treatment, and with some overactive thyroid conditions you may be told to avoid taking too much. Check with your own doctor for guidance that fits your situation.
Sources for this page
· 질병관리청 국가건강정보포털 (as of 2026-08-05)Last checked: 2026년 8월 5일
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