HELP!!!! Shoud I be concerned?

[mia136]

Hello!!!
I am a 36 year old, that had a routine check up with my General MD. She detected my thyroid gland enlarged and sent me to have a thyroid sonogram performed. They found a 1cm, solid, hypoechoic nodule in the right part of my thyroid. Also, my thyroid was heterogeneous (I don't know if that is important). Also, my neck lymph nodes are swollen and I'm having a little difficulty swallowing, but I believe this is due to an awfull chronic allergy that I have been suffering for months, it feels like I have the flu (congestion wise) for endless amounts of times and I am always congested, (maybe that is why I'm having slight trouble swallowing).
They ordered a scientigraphy test done to rule out a cold nodule or a malignancy. I am in the process of getting this procedure done. I have read quite a bit on thyroid nodules and it seems that even though most nodules are benign, I fall into the category of higher risk (single nodule, solid and hypoechoic, oh yes and also, my thyroid hormone levels in the blood tests are normal).
Should I be concerned? I know that the only way of knowing is through the test, I have read that there is a possibility that the needle aspiration procedure is not always accurate, should I have a full biopsy? How does a scientigraphy test work and is this accurate? Any other suggestions that I need to consider?
I appreciate all your kind help, I need some answers, I am a research junkie and always like to know more and be more informed to make better choices.
Again, thank you! I will definitely rate your answer, this is a wonderful service....
Mia

[jeblondon]

Hi Mia, welcome to the community.
I had a very similar size nodule in the left side of my thyroid.  It showed similar characteristics to yours on an ultra/sound scan so they decided to do FNA. (Fine needle biopsy).  The thyroid and nodules within can at times be difficult to biopsy as they tend to pick up a lot of blood along with tissue - this happened in my case - and they don't get enough cells to look at.  I had the procedure repeated and this time they got enough but the results were 'inconclusive'.  The decision was taken to remove the lobe, (and in my case the isthmus too), as this was the only way of proving one way or the other whether this nodule was in fact cancerous.  Most times it is not possible to biopsy thyroid nodules without removing the lobe and we usually can live quite happily without one side of our thyroids.
If you read through the forum and look at people's historys on here you will find many similar tales and luckily the vast amount of outcomes are great - most nodules are benign.
I am not sure what a 'scientigraphy' test is - I believe it is called something different here in England so I don't want to confuse you.  There are people on here who will answer your questions so keep posting!
I just wanted to reassure you - not easy I know when you are worried - that so many thyroid nodules are in fact not cancer and even if yours proves to be suspicious there are many ways of treating and curing the problem.
Take your Doc's advice.  Do you have an Endocrinologist on side?  May be an idea to try to see one if possible as they are the experts in the thyroid field generally.
Good luck and if you are worried keep coming back.  I have so much reassurance from the people on here - they are great!
J

[treimbol]

Hi Mia,
I just wanted to offer my opinion.  I went through something similar---at an 8wk post partum check up with my midwife, she found my thyroid to be swollen.  I had an ultrasound that discovered a solitary complex (solid and cystic) nodule on my right thyroid measuring 2.2cm.  I was sent for an FNA.  I asked the same questions you did and was told that the test is about 90% accurate (and will not give you a false positive, only false negatives)...and repeat tests even more so.  It does depend where you have it done though and how your nodule is situated (anterior vs posterior).  At my hospital two pathologists were in the room to make sure that enough material was collected to make a determination.  My nodule came back suspicious for papillary carcinoma.  I met with my surgeon who suggested we at least take out the right lobe, but I said take it all, if it's cancer, then I want the entire gland gone.  It turned out to be cancer...papillary-follicular variant, 1.5cm, confined to the right lobe.  That's pretty small for tumor size, and your 1cm is pretty tiny...so even if it is cancer, it looks like you will do JUST FINE.  I know you have done your research (as did I when my nodule was first found), so yes, your solitary SOLID nodule is high risk for cancer, but that doesn't mean much since this is totally treatable.  Hang tight for the test results, which in my opinion is way harder than enduring surgery or anything else.  Let us know what you find out!  We are here for you!
Hugs!
Theresa

[mia136]

I wanted to thank both of you for taking the time to answer my questions!!! Your comments were very helpful and comforting!
I am on vacation until July 13 and my appointment with the Endocrinologist is on Monday July 14th. I hope I am not wasting to much time waiting until then to get back home, but I didn't want to cancel my kids and my well waited for paid vacation.
Again, thanks I'll post again here in my newly found family!
Until soon,
Mia