concern of thyroid goiter

[Agel]

My sister has been complaining about being tired a lot and I suggested she get her thyroid checked because I was diagnosed with Hashimotos.  Her thyroid tests were normal/perfect but she had a sonogram on her neck because the doctor said it was swollen.  She's actually had a sonogram done before because she's always had an enlarged thyroid.  The doctor diagnosed her with Multi Nodular Goiter and scheduled her for a biopsy (which she'll do next week).  I've tried to find out more about it but it's difficult.  The doctor is probably going to put her on thyroid medicine but my question is-if her thyroid is normal, does she really need to be on medicine and how will that affect her?  If her thyroid test came back normal, why would she have a goiter?  What causes goiter and is it possible to become malignant in the future? Would medicine help her fatigue and would a goiter cause her fatigue?  Any other suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.

[KyBornAprStorm74]

I am writing in regards to the lady that posted about her sister having a goiter and her thyroid function being "normal".. I also fall into the same catergory as your sister. I have a VERY large goiter on the right side of my neck which i have had many ultrasounds, fine needle biopsys, and my Dr always checks my thyroid function and its always normal. It sounds like to me its a good thing that her Dr is putting her on the thyroid meds because if you go on without taking it, it will only get larger and larger (like mine has). My Dr said that in smaller goiters the meds will supress the growth of it getting larger but once they get too large the only means is surgery, which i am facing eventually. This really runs in my family history.. it seems to be a patern in families .. i have had 2 of my first cousins that have had to get 1/2 removed for the same reasons as me. Also i was going to note that i have been told by one of my cousins that had hers removed that they do put you on the thyroid pills after the surgery to keep the other half from getting enlarged as well. Aparently after they take out 1/2 of it .. the other half will sometimes enlarge to make up for the lost other half .. i hope that this is of help to you..its a mystery to me how it can funtion normally too and at yet have a huge mass in your neck ??..

[fluffstuff]

I have multi-nodular cysts/goiter as well, diagnosed 1995. My neck looks a little "thick" but not protruding or anything. I stay within normal range, on the low end. In the past I've experienced trouble losing weight/weight gain, fatigue, dry skin and hair, etc...nothing too major. I was just recently put on synthroid. My advice for your sister is to keep a journal and note any changes after taking synthroid and stay on top of her dr with changes. Not sure if synthroid is a good thing for me yet. I started having severe heart palps, numbness, joint aches and pains, insomnia just to name a few. The dr. never considered the synthroid at first. Suggested Bells Palsy, stress at work, anxiety. None made sense to me, but I didn't question it for 6 months. Now Dr. thinks I might have gotten over-medicated. This is only after CT, MRI and echocardigram were all clear. I have been a wreck trying to get back to "normal". Just reading up on hypo and synthroid have helped me...wish I'd have really known more to start. My synthroid dose was cut in half but I still have numbness and palps to name a few, though mild compared to before. Your sis should have blood tests often for the first year at least. I went too long and now have gotten really out of wack. Good luck!