Once in a while we have to change our minds. Perhaps soy does have a role with respect to thyroid treatment. Just not as anyone has previously suggested!
Korean J Radiol. 2019 Jan;20(1):166-170. doi: 10.3348/kjr.2017.0772. Epub 2018 Dec 27.
Technical Report: A Cost-Effective, Easily Available Tofu Model for Training Residents in Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Thyroid Nodule Targeting Punctures.
Zhang YF1, Li H2, Wang XM1.
Author information
Abstract
Objective:
To establish a cost-effective and easily available phantom for training residents in ultrasound-guided fine needle thyroid nodule targeting punctures.
Materials and Methods:
Tofu, drinking straws filled with coupling gel, a urine tube, and 21-gauge needles were used to generate a phantom thyroid with nodules for training. Twelve radiology residents were involved in the study. The puncture success rates were recorded and compared before and after phantom training using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.
Results:
On ultrasonography, tofu mimicked the texture of the thyroid. Drinking straws filled with coupling gel mimicked vessels. The urine tube filled with air mimicked the trachea, and 21-gauge needles mimicked small nodules in the transverse section. The entire phantom was similar to the structure of the thyroid and surrounding tissues. The puncture success rates of radiology residents were significantly increased from 34.4 ± 14.2% to 66.7 ± 19.5% after training (p = 0.003). The phantom was constructed in approximately 10 minutes and materials cost less than CNY 10 (approximately $ 1.5) at a local store.
Conclusion:
The tofu model was cost-effective, easily attainable, and effective for training residents in ultrasound-guided fine needle thyroid nodule targeting punctures in vitro.
KEYWORDS:
Fine needle aspiration biopsy; Phantoms; Thyroid nodules; Ultrasound-guided
Always thought tofu was like chewing on white leather. Of course the other side of this is to look at the exceptionally high level of medical training which, as always, surrounds anything connected to the thyroid. Our thyroids are apparently comparable to tofu and drinking straws and our tracheas merely a urine tube. I think that’s certainly what my GP thinks when he sees me! 🤸🏿♀️
And there are many other references on this forum.
You are right that soy is in virtually everything.
It is still not 100% clear what effect soy lecithin has but perhaps note that a number of food companies have been searching for alternative lecithins.
Someone posted fairly recently that you can buy soy sauce that tastes like the real thing but isn't but I've forgotten the name now! but recommended to use with Chinese food! But you are right, it does crop up in so many things but best not to either over do it or try to find an alternative.
Yes, I got one from amazon which was around £7, I justify it to myself by telling myself I use less than soy sauce because it’s quite a strong flavour.......it’s amazing what we can make ourselves believe isn’t it 😂
I loved tofu with a passion but stopped once I discovered it was not a good idea with hypothyroidism. I did feel better for stopping it but some do say the properly fermented stuff is ok.
I used to make my own tofu back home when I had a home 🙄 now my flat is tiny and my kitchen is ultra tiny. I buy it from a vegan restaurant now but I only eat once every 2 or 3 months so not going to make much difference.
I think the only thing that I eat/drink everyday is water 😁
I like how they use the word 'phantom', and sounds like it's a technical term. I will be trying to work it into my vocabulary this week.
"I brought over a few phantoms to keep the kids amused" "Still got to pack up the last of my Christmas phantoms into the shed" "This gluten free cake is delicious, you must let me have your phantom".
That made me laugh out loud. You’re right. Since a phantom is, by definition, a figment of the imagination... maybe there was nothing there at all and they all pushed their pointy needles into thin air! 🤸🏿♀️
I got really excited thinking I might be able to eat tofu again I absolutely love the stuff! I had to laugh reading the post - great find! No more tofu for me 😢
I have also been confused about tofu/soy. Found an article on phytoestrogens in soy. The video done by a doctor at the Cleveland in the US, was eye-opening.
As suggested by helvella, I have changed my mind about soy foods, as long as they are whole and organic.
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