Thyroid Nodule treatment questions

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-28-2004
Thyroid Nodule treatment questions
15
Mon, 06-28-2004 - 2:23pm
I've never been on this list before, and I'm trying to do as much research as I can to understand what's going on with me. This all started a few months ago when my OB/GYN found a lump on my neck. I had a ultrasound scan my thyroid is enlarged on both sides. I have a 2-3CM nodule on the right posterior side. I'm also having sudden onset high bp for some reason (150/100). I had an echo done on my heart and the cardio said it's fine, so they don't know what the story is on my high BP yet.

My Mom has Graves' disease and my nephew has Hashimoto's.

I just had the RAI scan done last week, and saw my Endo on Friday. Here's what he said:

1. My antibodies are > 70 and should be <2, which indicates Hashimoto's. My free T4 level is 1.1.

2. He forgot or the lab screwed up, and they didn't get a new TSH level, so I had more bloodwork done today to see if it's high or not. (level in March was 3.57)

3. The RAI scan reports said multinodular Goiter with diffuse hot and cold spots throughout. He's not happy with the report, and is going to the hospital to see the scan for himself.

So here's the plan: If, when he reviews the scan, the single larger nodule within the multiglobular mass looks suspicious, then we're going to do a FNA to see if it's malignant. He's going to see if my TSH level is on the high side, and if it is, he's talking about putting me on Synthroid, even though my FT4 is just a little on the low side, but still within normal limits.

Here's my questions -

1. He said he does FNA without local anesthesia, is this typical? He said that it interferes with the pathology if you use locals. How painful is it without a local?

2. It doesn't sound reasonable to me to put me on Synthroid if I'm not even hypo yet. Am I missing something?

3. Does the antibody problem ever resolve itself and go away, or is this something I can just expect to have to deal with forever?

4. I don't really have any symptoms, will high antibodies make me feel sick?

Thanks for listening.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Tue, 06-29-2004 - 9:15pm
Not really. The only risk I can think of is if he were to start you out on too high a dose and bring you down into the hyperthyroid range. But that's unlikely to happen. The lowest possible dose is usually what's given. Then you're tested again at 6 weeks to see your body's reponse - to see if your tsh level went down or is at least heading down in to the normal range.

If all you had were a tsh level of 3.2 and he wanted to wait for 6 months to see what would happen, then you aren't in any risk to wait. But what about your blood pressure, family history and swelling? It doesn't make sense to me to wait. So many doctors are just not well educated in thyroid conditions. You have to be your own advocate in these cases. I know it sounds harsh at times but it's your health at stake, not his. What would he do for himself if he were in your position? Do you think he would wait? I don't think so.

Can you talk to him about it or get an appointment with another endo? Sometimes that takes 6 months as well but maybe you will be fortunate to find someone that can see you quickly. If that's what you decide to do. I have to tell you, that's what I would do. I wouldn't wait. But that's me. You have to do what's right for you. What do you think? Cathy

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-28-2004
Wed, 06-30-2004 - 12:47pm
He seems to be pretty open to working with me on this, I'll give him a call to see what he thinks about starting me on it now.....Thanks

Cathy in tx

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Wed, 06-30-2004 - 3:02pm
That's great news! Let us know what happens. Cathy
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Wed, 06-30-2004 - 5:50pm
Cathy - do you still want that info on antithyroid antibodies? Just checking because I forgot to post it for you yesterday. Cathy :)
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-28-2004
Thu, 07-01-2004 - 5:44pm
Cathy - Yes Please!

Thanks!

Cathy

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