Patient

If necessary, your GP will refer you to one of the hospitals in the Thyroid Network in the southwest region of the Netherlands. You will usually first be seen by an internist/endocrinologist in the hospital you are referred to.

Diagnosing a thyroid nodule will almost always involve a blood test and ultrasonography. Frequently a puncture biopsy will be carried out and a special thyroid scan is sometimes required, too. These tests may be needed to make the correct diagnosis.

After the tests have been completed, if necessary, your attending physician will discuss the results of the tests in the Thyroid Network’s multidisciplinary team meeting. Depending on the results, this will take place during one of the regional meetings or at the central meeting with Erasmus MC.

All the relevant specialists from the various hospitals will attend the meetings and discuss what the best treatment is for you. Your attending physician will inform you about the diagnosis and the proposed treatment. You can then decide for yourself, based on all the information you receive, whether or not you wish to pursue this treatment advice.

The proposed treatment will depend on the diagnosis and your personal circumstances.

The treatment will depend on the diagnosis and your personal circumstances. Different thyroid conditions can be treated with drugs, surgery, radioactive iodine, or a combination of these treatments. 

Graves’ eye disease requires specialist treatment that is performed in collaboration with Rotterdam Eye Hospital.

The treatments for each condition are discussed in more detail under “conditions and treatments”.