Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

[auugmobile]

I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, and a goiter with multiple nodules. The largest of these nodules has grown from less that .9 cm last fall to over 1 cm presently.  I am scheduled for a biopsy.  The goiter is not visible in my neck, but I have hoarseness, difficulty swallowing and frequently get choked. At times, my neck is very senstive to touch- even lightly.  I am  57-female.  I have been told the odds of this nodule being cancer is 1 in 20.  Can you comment, please?

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

This is likely just an area of increased inflammation due to the Hashi - you are right that only about 5% of nodules are cancer.  There is some debate whether Hashi may increase this risk.  Some patients have significant sensitivity even with small nodules -- this may also be part of the hashimotos -- make sure the replacement therapy is keeping your TSH around 1.0.

[auugmobile]

Thank you for the reply.  My TSH is now 3.23, which I was told was normal.
It has gone from 0.05 to 7.83 and everywhere in between.  I take a compund of T3/T4 which is supposed to be the same as Thyrolar, which is no longer available.  I am tired of being tired.  

[GETtingtiredmom]

I can certainly relate, I have been taking Unithroid for 7 years, my current dose is .125mcg.  I take one a day, my nodules shrank and have now come back while on my medication.  I went through an ultra-sound and a nuclear exam, all three nodules came back as hot which is supposed to be non-cancer, but however one of the nodules is 2 cm, so the doctor wants to biopsy it and ultrasound it again.  My last TSH was 2.48, but my TSH antibodies are high, I feel pressure on my throat when I lay down, choke at times when I eat, and it hurts when I raise my arms, and my weight has been swinging out of control. So I definitely feel for you and your post.