If you’re a woman who suspects a thyroid problem it may be good to consider many potential causes, Elizabeth Tracey reports

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Women are diagnosed with thyroid cancers much more often than men, but a recent study finds that examination of the thyroid gland itself in men and women finds there is little difference in the actual rate of these cancers. Lilah Morris-Wiseman, an endocrine surgeon at Johns Hopkins, shares her thoughts.

Morris-Wiseman: I think that what is happening, and we have some data to support this, that women are coming to their physicians and saying I have these symptoms, there’s something wrong with my thyroid. The easiest thing to say is well let’s get an ultrasound. Thyroid nodules are extremely common, maybe it’s not the thyroid. I’ve diagnosed anemia, I’ve diagnosed B12 deficiency, and a lot of people come in and say it’s my thyroid but to push to say what is it really? :29

Morris-Wiseman encourages everyone who’s been told they have a thyroid nodule to consider second opinions and the full range of explanations for their symptoms before choosing a procedure or treatment. At Johns Hopkins, I’m Elizabeth Tracey.