Remove Thyroid yes or no

[Starr321]

I am scheduled to have a total thyroidectomy on May 21. 47yo female
I was found to Hashimotos disease and take 120 mg Armour Thyroid.
Date Right Left Rt nodule L Nodule Isthmus
1/05 62x20x13 59x15x12 18x13x7 None         2                                             
5/05 53.6x19x17 65.7x12.3x15 19x14x8         2.5
10/05 62x13x21   61x11x18 19x7.6 x14 3.6x2x3
5.6x3x4
4/06 54x17x21 65x13x17 17x5x11 15x7.7x8.7
9/06 62.9x12.8x18 58x9x13 17.5x6x11.4 15x5x9
4x4x3
3/07 53.7x12x15.7 53x7x12.7 17x6x10 13x4.7x9.5 2
4.3x3x3.6
April 2006 Lymph Nodes  6.3 and 6.3

FNA 2/16/2005 Right Nodule--Moderately cellular with thyroid follicular epithelial cells generally arranged in small clusters.  No microfollicular structers are identified. Many of the clusters do show degenerative changes.  There is a background of numbers foamy histiocytes.  A minor population of lymphocytes is present.  No significan Hurthle cell metaplasia is seen.  
4/19/06   Left Nodule—Contains follicular epithelial cells,macrophages and lymphocytes, present primarily on the thinprep monolayer slide.  There are few groups showing Hurthle cell change with mild cytologic atypia.
Right Nodule—Follicular epithelial cells and a population of atypical cells with Hurthle cell features.  Lymphocytes are sparse.  Macrophages are much more prevalent in this specimen.

Last Office Note--3/38/07--Today we compared her ultrasound pictures and her right nodule is stable in size, but the vascularity pattern has changed significantly.  This time her nodule demonstrates increased central and peripheral vascularity.  A year ago, she developed a new nodule in the left thyroid lobe.  Although the size of her nodule has not changed compared to last year, her nodule appears to be much more vascular.   Her TSH has been suppressed in the past two years and her last TSH was 0.02 uIU/mL.  Free T4 and free T3 levels were normal.  

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Sounds like hashimoto's - not sure about the increased vascularity -- could be a technical difference in measuring vascular flow.  With so many nodules, this becomes a tough case and surgery is the way to be certain there is no cancer and to avoid tedious follow-up of all the nodules, etc.  But of course, any surgery has risks.

[mztkim]

Nooooooo!!  This is based on my personal experience. I'm sure they will operate to see what is there but if there is any way to save some of your thyroid and ESPECIALLY YOUR PARATHYROID insure the Dr's are aware.   I had half my thyroid and my parathyroid either removed or damaged, in 83 I didn't require any thyroid meds or rocaltrol.   In 96 I developed a mass and they operated to remove it.  They said the mass was to intwind in the thyroid andn they had to remove the remaining thyroid with the mass. My second day in the hopital I developed numbness tingling in my limbs and the top of my head, I had muscle spasams and my heart was beating irregular.  I was give an IV of calcium this went on for 4days.  They called in an Endo and he told me I would have to take calcium.  Well from that day forward my health has been hell.  I have not found the right combination of synthroid/rocaltrol and calcium I have also not found a phyisian who knew what to do or was willing to go the extra mile to do the research to find the answers. Thank God I found this forum and Thank You BonneyRu and lawteddy.I was told it was fine to take my calcium with my synthroid at the same time and have been doing so for 4 YEARS..I've changed that and went for blood work on tuesday.  I'm not having luck with my doctor so I hope to get some help here. I'm just letting you know STARR321 what your infor if they remove everything.  Good luck