Multi Nodular Goiter

[bbduke]

7 months ago an ultra sound showed a large nodule on my left lobe. It was biopsied and determined to be benign.   The Dr placed me on Lyvoxyl.   Last week I returned to the endocrinologist and I now have 4 small nodules on the right and a larger nodule on the left.  The Dr.  is sending me for biopsy on the new nodule.  Are the chances of cancer less because I had 1 benign nodule already?  I hope so. I am freaking out about this. I am a 29 year old female with no other medical problems.
The Doctor still thinks I should go under radioactive iodine or surgery even if it not cancer.  I am going to weigh my options once it is (hopefully) determined benign.

[McMillanNelson]

Hi bbduke,  The seminar at WholeFoods sounds like a great place to start. I wish I had such a place here.  I have never tried acupuncture, but I have heard that some who have tried it had similar results to goolarra.

There are so many things to learn . The more you read and ask questions, the better. Good luck with your FNA Tuesday, I pray you have good results.  Ask the Dr for a copy of your blood work and for a copy of the FNA.

Best of luck
-McMIllan

[bbduke]

Thanks for the reponse.  I'm really not sure about the hypo symptoms.  However, here are a few facts about me.  My entire life I've had extremely sweaty palms, rapid heart rate and minor anxiety.  Since having my son 1 year ago, my heart rate is now in the mid 70's where it was always in the mid 90's and I don't have sweaty palms anymore. As for the anxiety, it has definitely increased since having my son and of course all of this.....
Thanks for the info about accupuncture. I probably won't waste my time.  I'm definitely going to work on the diet though.  I'll let you know when I hear something.  Thanks for all the great info.

[goolarra]

I tried accupuncture...and about everything else you can think of... for my lower back problems a few years ago.  I was thoroughly unimpressed.  As it turned out, about 90% of my back pain and weakness was due to thyroid.  Once I got on meds, it improved tremendously.  I still have back pain, but I have arthritis, so that's not going away.

If your doctor said "he had room to increase the levoxyl", that probably means you are in the lower part of the reference range on the FT3 and FT4.  It's possible that your hypo has never been fully controlled on the dose you take now, and that's why your nodules have been growing.  Do you still have hypo symptoms?

[bbduke]

Wow, thanks some much for the quick response.   The Dr. reviewed my levels with me, but I don't remember what exactly they were.  He did say though he had room to increase the levoxyl.   As far as I can remember, my thyroid levels have always been within normal limits which is why although my whole life people told me my thyroid was full, the Dr ran blood tests and it always showed normal functioning.  

I go for the FNA on Tuesday and wont get the results for approximately a week. In the mean time, I am going to see a Homeopathic Dr that my husband goes to and maybe try accupuncture- have either of you tried that?

I'm with you McMillian I also do not want to go under the RAI for many reasons including long term effects. In addition, I have a son that is turning 1 in a week. I could not imagine having to be away from him.  I am definitely going to change my diet because it is not that great.   I am going to seminar at WholeFoods on Januray 9 to help me out.  
I appreciate this support-  I feel extremely worried and scared. Although I have a great support system with my family, it feels great that i can bounce things off of people that are going through it- Thanks!

[McMillanNelson]

bbduke, I also have nodules (Toxic MultiNodular Goiter Ultrasound and Labs are posted in my Journal) It is interesting that since you have been on the medication you have more nodules. My Endo also wanted to me to have the RAI ablation or Surgery, I have decided instead to go on medication (Methimazole) while I study my options. I have decided against having the RAI Ablation because of the higher rate of stomach cancer at 10 years after the procedure and also because the process itself could possibly destroy any tissue that contains higher levels of Iodine in them and not just the thyroid. I am by no means an expert on this, and still have a lot to learn and this is just my choice based on what I have learned so far. Some people on this forum may disagree with me and might be doing fine with RAI and the life long medication afterwords.  I think at this point, for me anyway, I would also not go though any surgery unless one or more of the nodules are suspicious for cancer.

I have been on the Methimezole for about a month and I feel like my left nodules are getting larger.  I have labs again in 1 month.

I think the biggest thing that I have done to help my self is I have drastically changed my diet. I eat NO fast food, cut way down on Iozied salt, no processed food, No soft drinks or any carbonated drinks of any kind. I take a Multivitamin supplement, cut way way down on my caffeine intake, and have now started a Gluten free diet and I try to eat sensibly.

Yesterday I did have 2 diet cokes and Split Pea soup with ham, I think the soup must have had a lot of salt in it.  In any case, it has been weeks since i had any soda and it seems that I paid for that combination today, I have not felt well and could not sleep well last night, during the time I was sticking to my plan I felt very good.

This forum is a great help goolarra and others have been an immense help. Welcome to the forum.

-McMillan

[goolarra]

Suprisingly enough, a SINGLE nodule is much more likely to be malignant than multiple nodules.  You're doing the right thing...you have to have the FNA to see what's going on.

Do you have the results of FT3, FT4 (and their reference ranges) and TSH tests?  If so, please post.  If not, your doctor is required to provide them to you upon request.  Have your had antibody testing (TPOab and TGab) to determine if you have Hashi's?  Most of us with Hashi's have multiple nodules.