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Li Hua stood in the corridor of the hospital, holding an examination report in his hand, his face full of confusion and worry.
Three months ago, he was an energetic 35-year-old construction worker who climbed more than a dozen stories of scaffolding every day.
Lately, however, he has been feeling so tired that he is out of breath even when he walks up the stairs. What made him even more disturbing was that a small lump appeared on his neck.
"Mr. Li, please come in." The doctor's voice interrupted Li Hua's thoughts. He took a deep breath, pushed open the door to the exam room, and walked in.
The doctor looked at the examination report carefully, his brow furrowed slightly. "Mr. Li, according to the results of the ultrasound, you do have a nodule on your thyroid."
Li Hua felt dizzy. "Nodules? What does that mean? Is it cancer?" His voice trembled a little.
The doctor reassured: "Don't worry, nodules are not the same as cancer. In fact, thyroid nodules are very common, with about 50 percent of people having thyroid nodules by the age of 50 [1]. We need further examination to determine the nature. "
Li Hua breathed a sigh of relief, but his heart was still full of questions: "But, why did I suddenly grow nodules?" I've always been very health-conscious. "
The doctor smiled and explained, "People don't grow nodules for no reason, and there are usually several main reasons. Let's find out. "
The first reason: an imbalance in iodine intake
The doctor began to explain in detail: "Iodine is an important raw material for thyroid hormone synthesis. Either excessive or insufficient iodine intake may lead to the formation of thyroid nodules [2]. "
Li Hua recalls his eating habits: "I really like to eat seafood, especially kelp and seaweed. Will this lead to excessive iodine intake?"
The doctor nodded: "That's right, seafood does have a high iodine content. However, inadequate iodine intake can also cause problems. I recommend that you maintain a balanced diet and consume iodine-containing foods in moderation. "
The second reason: endocrine disorders
The doctor went on to explain: "The thyroid gland is an important endocrine organ in our body, and its function is regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis [3].
If there is a problem with this regulatory system, it can lead to abnormal thyroid function, which can lead to the formation of nodules. "
Li Hua thoughtfully: "I do feel very tired recently, and the quality of sleep is not very good. Could it be related to endocrine disorders?"
The doctor replied, "Quite possibly." Stress, lack of sleep, and other factors can affect the endocrine system. We can do some relevant hormonal tests for further evaluation. "
The third reason: environmental factors and genetic predisposition
"Environmental factors, such as radiation exposure, may also increase the risk of thyroid nodules [4]. In addition, some people may have a genetic predisposition to form thyroid nodules more easily. "
Li Hua recalled: "My father also had thyroid problems, could it be related to genetics?"
The doctor nodded: "Family history is indeed an important risk factor. We need to conduct a more detailed family history investigation. "
After listening to the doctor's explanation, Li Hua felt both nervous and relieved. He asked, "So, what do I do next?"
The doctor gave specific advice: "First, we need to perform a fine needle aspiration biopsy to determine the nature of the nodule.
At the same time, I recommend that you adjust your diet to get enough sleep and reduce stress. We also schedule a series of endocrine function tests. "
Li Hua nodded and said gratefully, "Thank you, doctor." I'll follow my doctor's instructions. "
Walking out of the hospital, Li Hua took a deep breath. He decided to take immediate action and change his lifestyle. He called his wife Zhang Li, briefly explained the situation, and agreed to go to the supermarket to buy healthy ingredients together in the evening.
In the weeks that followed, Li Hua followed the doctor's advice strictly. He started eating breakfast every day, stopped staying up late, and continued to jog three times a week. Zhang Li also fully supports her husband by preparing nutritionally balanced meals for him every day.
A month later, Li Hua came to the hospital again. The results of a fine-needle aspiration biopsy showed that his thyroid nodules were benign.
The doctor was pleased and said, "Mr. Li, your indicators have improved significantly. Continue to maintain this good lifestyle habit and trust that your health will get better and better. "
Li Hua breathed a sigh of relief, with a long-lost smile on his face. He deeply understands that health is not taken for granted, and we need to pay attention to and maintain it at all times.
This experience gave Li Hua a new understanding of life. He began to cherish every day more and cherish the people around him. He also took the initiative to share his experience with his friends and remind everyone to pay attention to their health.
Half a year later, Li Hua's thyroid nodules shrank significantly, and all indicators returned to normal. He reverted to the energetic construction worker he faced, facing work and life with full enthusiasm every day.
This story teaches us that changes in the body are often a warning call. When we have health problems, don't panic and don't ignore them.
By seeking medical attention in a timely manner, understanding the causes, and taking appropriate measures, we can take control of our health.
At the same time, we need to understand that prevention is better than cure. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, regular check-ups, and paying attention to your body changes are the best ways to maintain your health.
Bibliography:
[1] Haugen， B. R.， et al. (2016). 2015 American Thyroid Association Management Guidelines for Adult Patients with Thyroid Nodules and Differentiated Thyroid Cancer. Thyroid， 26(1)， 1-133.
[2] Zimmermann， M. B.， & Boelaert， K. (2015). Iodine deficiency and thyroid disorders. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology， 3(4)， 286-295.
[3] Chiamolera， M. I.， & Wondisford， F. E. (2009). Minireview: Thyrotropin-releasing hormone and the thyroid hormone feedback mechanism. Endocrinology， 150(3)， 1091-1096.
[4] Ron， E.， & Schneider， A. B. (2006). Thyroid cancer. Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention， 3， 975-994.
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[This content is a fictional short story, and any name, place name, or other aspects involved in the text have nothing to do with reality (without any implications). If there is any similarity, it is purely a coincidence, please read it rationally. 】