Has this happened to you??

Have you ever been diagnosed with a multinodular goiter WITHOUT a thyroid nodule??  

I fail to see the basis of this diagnosis from my newest US.

My US says no significant change since April.  slight diffuse heterogeneity of echogenicity without focal lesion on the right and on the left, diffuse heterogeneity, also without focal lesion.  Impression thyromegaly without focal thyroid lesion, consistent with mild pattern of multinodular goiter.

SO, how is it POSSIBLE to have a multinodular goiter WITHOUT a nodule?

Again, I am lost..... my appt. with the ENT is Monday and I need to figure some of this out before then so I can go in with the right questions.

OH -  AND my thyroid blood tests (including the frees and antibodies) have always been normal.  My last TSH (alone, no other Frees or others) was 0.44 while I was in the hospital.  I feel ok, except I am always tired, tired, tired..... my thyroid still SWELLS

Help?  I guess this my not be my thyroid???  If not, then why does it swell more if I forget to take my medicine?  That is the usual sign I forgot to take the Armour (60mg), I start to swell.

[ChitChatNine]

I am clueless but wanted to let you know i read your post.  there are some others who may stop by ... more knowledge.

?

Sorry .. hang in there .. we are here for you,

C~

[selmaS]

Hi mommy....still getting the run around I see......sorry.I wish I unserstood this stuff too!!
I hope the other's help inform u for ur appointment.

Let us know what u find out.

Good luck
Godspeed
"selma"

[Totie]

Are they just looking at the "thyroid area". I don't know, it could be something else entirely not thyroid related. Remember what I went through.....

Hey I remember you got a staph infection, did you get it from hospital?

[mommy2two2008]

Hey all - thanks for the comments and well wishes.  I just don't get it and wish the drama could be over with my thyroid, or at the very least, be given a name!

Totie - they are only ultrasounding the thyroid area.  My CT of the neck back in June did not reveal anything either (although I see a "difference" in the right versus the left on CT images --- I posted those).

I don't know what else to do.  I guess I will just go in and see what he says and show him pictures from the CT and the US images that I question and see what happens.  He might take me off the Armour, which, well, I guess I'll do what he says and see what happens.  I feel sure it will land me right back in his chair going --- what the he//'s wrong with my neck all over again.

The staph infection is fully healed.  I had a nice chat with Kitty here and Peekawho and they explained that it was MSSA (curable) and that it WAS MSSA because my culture results showed the staph was sensitive (could be killed by) oxicillin (the same thing as Methacillin).  So, it was not the bad staph and I'm doing good.  Feeling fine on that end and just waiting on the - well - you know.  Its been a month now since the surgery.  I don't hurt and the scares have all healed well.

[Coco209]

If your Thyroid isn't swelling, then what else could it possibly be??  I soooo understand your frustration.  I really hope you get answers.  

[mommy2two2008]

Thanks coco -- frustrated is the new me I guess.  I am just tired of it all.  The CT and 2 US results basically say I have an enlarged thyroid, but give me nothing as to why it could swell on and off (more on than off).  The only *hint* at this mess is that I have heterogenity (non-smooth texture of the thyroid).  This usually indicates Hashimoto's thyroiditis, BUT, it usually comes with the thyroid antibodies being elevated.  

I am not the norm by any means, not with my thyroid, my breast scare (that seems to be done since the IUD removal which is GREAT), my IUD (although that is over with now since the tubal) my tubal (got staph after that) so I don't even know why I think they could possibly give me an answer on what is going on.  
:o(

[mommy2two2008]

Stella --- where are you?????  Hoping for your thoughts too!

[estrelinha]

I think the "nodules" are the migration of lymphocytes in response to  thyroid antigen, but ultrasound can't say exactly what kind of nodule , if it is a real "nodule", that's why if any of the "nodules" grows more then 1 cm it is required FNA (any case). Dr . Lupo in an answer to someone said that it's.. possible to have Hashi with negative antibodies...

[mommy2two2008]

Thanks estrelinha!  I really do think this mess is hashi - I just don't know.  I guess subacute thyroiditis still fits, but my bloodwork has NEVER been off.  I don't know --- and 8 months is TOO long to not know.  We shall see, the appointment is Monday.

[Totie]

Hey, I really hate to say this, but I think it is something else all together related to your glands and the only way they will find out is to do surgery OR at the very least FNA.

Remember they did not find any of my problems until they did the surgery. I was told many things on what it could be, but guess what, all the tests and blood work showed I perfect...will much to their surprise it was an infection of a gland along with the lymp nodes, a calcified ligament that ALL had to be removed.

All I am saying is that I will say over and over again, blood tests and imaging tests do not always reveal the truth, and sometimes the infections are hidden by the blood vessels like mine were.

[mommy2two2008]

Hey Totie - thanks hun. I used to hope he'd just say surgery -- out it comes, but now, not so sure after the recent staph infection.  Frustrated still but maybe he'll resolve it with something I can live with.