Preparing questions in advance can help patients have more meaningful discussions with their physician regarding their conditions. Patients may wish to ask their doctor the following questions about thyroid nodules:

1. What makes you suspect I may have a thyroid nodule?
   
   
2. What sort of tests will you perform to confirm your diagnosis? Do I need to do anything to prepare for these tests?
   
   
3. How will you determine if my thyroid nodule is cancerous? How soon will I know the results?
   
   
4. What type of thyroid nodule do I have? Is the nodule a sign that my thyroid is producing too much or too little thyroid hormone?
   
   
5. Will my thyroid nodule require treatment, or can it simply be monitored?
   
   
6. If I require treatment, what are my options?
   
   
7. What are the risks and benefits of these treatments?
   
   
8. How often will I need to be monitored so that you can track the progress of my condition?
   
   
9. If my nodule is cancerous, do you recommend removing my thyroid gland in addition to the nodule? If so, how will this affect me?
   
   
10. What is my long-term prognosis?
    
    
11. Am I likely to develop more thyroid nodules in the future? What are the chances they will be cancerous?