New-Need Advice (Long)

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-29-2003
New-Need Advice (Long)
4
Thu, 11-30-2006 - 3:34pm

Hello. I hope this is the right place to post this. I can't seem to find many message boards for Thyroid problems although I am probably just not looking in the right places. This is going to be long so please bear with me.

2 months ago I decided to go to the drs to have my blood sugar checked. I have these "spells" where all of a sudden I get very hot, sweaty, dizzy, and feel like I have to throw up. It seems to revolve around if I haven't ate in so many hours, and goes away when I immediately eat something..then it resides. At the drs office they checked my blood sugar there and it was normal (I think 80 something, but regardless of the exact number it was normal). I also was ordered a fast test to check more levels and all that came back acceptable according to my dr. Also ordered bloodwork for Thyroid which all levels came back acceptable.

While I was there though, the dr felt what was believed to be a goiter on my thyroid, and ordered an U/S. The U/S verified a cyst, or mass, and then ordered a nuclear scan. Had the nuclear scan and verified the cyst is an all cold cyst. Then was sent to a surgeon with instructions to get a fine needle aspiration biopsy. Saw surgeon and he said that there is a good chance I will have to have this cyst removed anyways, due to the fact it's all cold cells, but let's check for cancer. Agreed with biopsy, and ordered a US guided core biopsy. I had that last week and results went to surgeon with cc to my original dr that ordered. Orginal dr called me and said it was non-cancerous and is a colloid nodule. He didn't take the time to explain further, but from what I understand from research, a colloid nodule is an enlargement as I am not producing enough hormone so it is trying to compensate for what is lacking. Said he could put me on hormone replacement but since levels were ok from bloodwork, not going to do that. Since no pain is associated with cyst, no further treatment. I felt rushed (all over the phone in between patients), and confused. I was not even left with instructions to come back (6 mos, 1 year??).

Called the surgeon and asked to make an appt as I had unanswered questions. Scheduled appt for 3 weeks away. Called back right away to ask if they had a waiting list I could get on because I really was upset and wanted more information. In the meantime nursed had pulled my charter, and interuppted me to ask who gave me the results. I told her my primary dr did, to which she said, he should not have done that. I was a little alarmed wondering if my dr read it wrong, or at the very least did not want to alarm me with something that might have been questionable. Then again it could just be because if they allowed the surgeon to give me the results, he would explain better, and I would not be in a position that I am in now. She said she is putting my file on surgeons desk, he would review and call me. Surgeon had surgery past two days and I am still waiting for that call.

Now today, I again had an episode of feeling sick, hot flash, wanting to pass out. Ate and now feel ok.

I am just really concerned, and so confused. I feel like my primary dr that told me non-cancerous is not really putting enough time/and or thought into my case..after all he is a family dr that sees hundreds of patients every day. My surgeon is more focused on specifics, and cancer related diseases and hopefully will devote more time. All along the way I have been just doing what I've been told to do, and waiting for the next step and now I feel I am at the end with a new thing (colloid? nodule), and not told where to go, or honestly feel like I am not being really focused on. I have faith in my dr, and always have, but just don't know where to turn. I've done as much research as I possibly can on thyroid problems. Colloid nodules for me seem to be the hardest thing to research. I wish that I would have requested copies of tests, and results along the way. I know I need to get copies of the tests, but not sure if that will give me any answers, or just more questions. Also asked exactly how big this nodule/cyst is. I think it is pretty big considering you can physically feel it, and although I am not sure other people can, the surgeon right away without looking at my chart said he can absolutely see it, and is surprised that other people haven't questioned it (just day to day people I encounter).

Does anyone out there have any advice for me at all? I would appreciate ANY and ALL thoughts.

Avatar for cl_calley7
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Tue, 12-05-2006 - 11:52pm

Hi Mistyjks,


Yes, this is the right place to post....


I'm going to bump it up so others can be sure to see it and reply.

Calley7




 

Calley7

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-29-2003
Wed, 12-06-2006 - 1:15pm
Thank you. As an update my surgeon finally got in touch with me. He said there are 3 options. One is total hormone replacement therapy which, in essence, would shrink the thyroid, and ultimately shut it off, but he said that has a slim to none chance of working, and would not recommend that. The other is to wait 6 months and come back for a repeat U/S to see if any change with nodule. Lastly, to remove it surgically. He said the problem with that is most people take removal of a cyst too lightly and it is actual surgery. He said he would only recommend that because it is so large (3.8cms). He sensed my hesitation in deciding and recommended I come back in 1 month for an office visit to see if it looks and/or feels different (larger) if so get an U/S and possible removal. If it is OK to come back in 3-6 months for follow up U/S. Eventually he said it would probably need to be removed, but for now he is ok with letting it go. I am OK with this scenario (coming back in 1 month). Today I have a sore throat (deep at the end of my throat in a certain spot), and only hurts when I swallow, but also seems to be aggravating the nodule spot, because there is some pain there. I called the drs to be sure, because I wasn't told if you have something like this, if you should come in, or just chalk it up to a sore throat. He said highly unrelated and if persists see family dr. I don't know anymore, and am kind of just putting it to the back of my mind. Someone at work told me that if a cyst is non-cancerous now, it could never become cancerous, does anyone know if that is true? I am just nervous about going back for an U/S in 6 months and finding out something bad, and regretting not having it out now..
Avatar for cl_calley7
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Thu, 12-07-2006 - 9:42pm

Hi Mistyjks,


These are just my thoughts and I'm no expert but I'm not sure about the statement that cysts will never change to cancer.

 

Calley7

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-29-2003
Tue, 12-19-2006 - 8:30am
Thank you. You certainly did not confuse me more, and actually helped me feel a little better in my thought process, and decision making. I just don't want to appear that I am overreacting!