Do I go under the knife or not?

[tjarowland]

I’m a 37 year old male with an enlarged thyroid on my right side about 5cm. It was first noticed during a routine physical about 9 months ago. My family doctor said it developed pretty quickly because it wasn’t noticeable the year before. When the enlarged thyroid was first discovered the ultrasound I had showed the thyroid was 4.1cm, so it has grown over the past 9 months. I’ve had 2 needle biopsies both inconclusive. The Thyroid specialist is more concerned with the wall of the enlarged thyroid rather then the liquid within it.  All my blood work is normal however the thyroid specialist told me that it’s about a 15-20% chance it could be cancer.

My specialist has given me two options 1) Have the thyroid removed or 2) have a biopsy every 6 months and monitor it.

Part of me wants to have it removed and not risk it being cancerous plus...lol it makes my neck look fat. With all joking aside surgery, any surgery makes me nervous. I’m also concerned about side effects with  having all or half my thyroid taken out. Will I be always tired? Will it effect my weight? Will I get acne? Will the medication make me feel sick?

I’m having a hard time making a decision and I’m hoping to hear some insight from other men and women in similar situations.

Thanks

[knvv]

Hard decision, but I think if there's even a small chance with cancer to seriously think about your thyroid being removed.

However, if you do .. you need to have a skilled surgeon. Why? Because of your parathyroids on the back side of the thyroid. They do some serious work and if damaged in any from surgery (which happens a bit .. why you need to make sure you have a surgeon who knows what he or she is doing LOL). Hypoparathyroid which controls your calcium and phospherous levels. If one of the 4 parathyroids on the back of they thyroid is damaged then you're in trouble LOL. It's treatable but it can be deadly to if not controlled.

Just something to consider and talk with the doctor and surgeon about and if they know about it, then it should go well :)

Other than that, I'd probably say go for it ..

[lksangel]

Hi All my tests were negative. But the goiter did get bigger in one year. When I did go for surgery it was wrapped around my nerve which can choke you. I told the surgeon to only remove goiter. Then after they sent tissue sample they found two little dots of cancer. So I went back to have the whole thyroid removed. This was last year. I was very tired my hair fell out in handfuls. I did gain some weight 5-8 lbs. I just switched from synthroid to Nature throid still feeling tired. The medication did not make me sick, in fact the synthroid gives you a wired feeling and keeps you from good nights sleep. Hope this helps!