“ANDCchomes here, a little steed and with a nice patch on the neck, but I’m fine ». As Benedetta Rossi, Among the most loved food bloggers in Italy, he has chosen to publicly tell his recent surgery. Last Monday, he explained, he underwent the removal of a “ugly lump” to the thyroid, Discovered only a few weeks earlier. The intervention went well and Benedetta is already at home, surrounded – as she herself wrote – from the affection of her family and the many fans who follow her every day.
The news generated a lot of attention, not only for the affection that the public nourishes towards him, but also for the basic theme: How much do we really know the thyroid and the importance of the controls to keep it healthy?
Thyroid, the silent gland that regulates the balance of the body
Small, light, but crucial: The thyroid is an endocrine gland that is at the base of the neck and that produces indispensable hormones for the correct functioning of the body. It acts on heart, brain, metabolism, body temperature and development. Yet despite its essential role, it is often ignored until a problem appears.
The thyroid nodules are very frequentespecially in the female population and with advancing age. In most cases they are benign and do not give evident symptoms, but they can grow, interfere with swallowing or breathing, or – in a small percentage – prove to be evil. Precisely for this reason, as Benedetta recalls in his post, Prevention is fundamental.
Thyroid, what checks to do and when
According to what reported on the website of theHumanitasthe reference exam to evaluate the state of health of the thyroid is the thyroid ultrasound. It is a simple, quick and non -invasive test that allows you to identify the presence of any nodules and to evaluate its characteristics (dimensions, margins, internal vascularization). Ultrasound does not use radiation and can be repeated several times over time, without risk.
But when is it appropriate to do it? Always according to Humanitas, it is indicated:
– In the presence of suspicious symptoms (swelling of the neck, a sense of constraint, difficulty in swallowing, unmotivated fatigue),
– In case of familiarity for thyroid pathologies,
– As a periodic control after 40 years, especially for women.
At this first examination, others can be accompanied if necessary Insights such as blood tests (TSH, FT3, FT4), the Agoaspirate (in case of suspicious nodules) and scintigraphy.
When you have to intervene
Thyroid pathologies can give the right to a civil disability recognized by INPS (Getty)
As he points out Humanitas in another card dedicated to the thyroid, Not all nodules require surgery. The decision is based on multiple factors: nature (benign or suspect), size, evolution over time and associated symptoms.
If the lump grows quickly, compromising breathing or swallowing, or if there are doubts about its nature, you can opt for partial or total thyroid removal. In these cases, the intervention is generally decisive, even if it involves a delicate post-operative course, especially for the proximity to the vocal cords and the paratiroid glands.
Benedetta’s testimony as a push for prevention
With the usual simplicity and sincerity, Benedetta wanted to share not only the outcome of the operation, but also a wider message: do not postpone the controls, even when there seems to be nothing to worry about. Its history shows how a small exam can become a precious tool to identify a problem before it becomes serious.