Aa
Thyroid Nodule
I went for an MRI of the head and cervical spine and they found a complex nodule on the left lower lobe of my thyroid. I then had an ultrasound which confirmed complex nodule which measures 2.0 x 1.6 cm. My mom had a single nodule years ago which her endocrinologist did nothing about, told her not to worry. She recently was diagnosed with goiter??, multiple nodules, had uptake tests and bloodwork came back indicating she had hypothyroidism. My grandfather (believe was hyper), his mother, her mother and so on... all had thyroid problems. I've read that thyroid cancer is extremely rare but I am still freaking myself out. I'm sure I currently have a sinus infection but now I have a cough and hoarse voice which I know are symptoms of thyroid cancer... I have an appointment with an endocrinologist on Feb. 9. Do you think I should think more optimistically as thyroid problems run in my family - NO THYROID CANCER IN THE FAMILY. My bloodwork has come back normal.. I am 37 years old. Any comments would be greatly appreciated to help put my mind at ease!!
I'm not sure if this will make you feel any better - but hopefully it will.
I'm 42 years old, and had a total thyroidectomy on 4/3. My labs were completely normal, but I had every hypothyroid symptom out there. I was told two nodules were found on ultrasound, roughly the same size as yours - only mine were very scary-sounding and had high indicators of cancer (centralized vascularization and micro calcifications). Biopsy didn't help - one nodule was benign, the other didn't have a big enough sample taken to be able to tell anything. Then I started having compressive symptoms - I was scared to death. I'm a former EMT and also Google junkie so I knew how bad this was looking. My endo recommended a TT, as did the surgeon I went to see, which I agreed to since I was having a lot of pain and trouble swallowing.
Had the surgery - did well. Had some post-surgery hypocalcemia, which didn't surprise me. One parathyroid had to be transplanted, another one never was found. The biopsy described I actually had SEVEN nodules, and my thyroid was a mess - but by some miracle, it was NOT cancerous - just completely dysfunctional despite the normal labs. My endo said "I am SO glad you had it removed, I was really worried about you and I thought for sure this was cancer - I've been diagnosing a lot of that lately."
This stuff is SO scary - but as bad as mine looked, and it turned out ok, odds are you'll be ok too. The surgery really isn't that bad either. I've had other neck surgery (benign nodule removed from a salivary gland - my neck likes to grow nodules evidently!), and that was FAR more painful than this one.
You tend to see more horror stories than not, but it honestly isn't that bad if that's the route you have to go.
I'm 42 years old, and had a total thyroidectomy on 4/3. My labs were completely normal, but I had every hypothyroid symptom out there. I was told two nodules were found on ultrasound, roughly the same size as yours - only mine were very scary-sounding and had high indicators of cancer (centralized vascularization and micro calcifications). Biopsy didn't help - one nodule was benign, the other didn't have a big enough sample taken to be able to tell anything. Then I started having compressive symptoms - I was scared to death. I'm a former EMT and also Google junkie so I knew how bad this was looking. My endo recommended a TT, as did the surgeon I went to see, which I agreed to since I was having a lot of pain and trouble swallowing.
Had the surgery - did well. Had some post-surgery hypocalcemia, which didn't surprise me. One parathyroid had to be transplanted, another one never was found. The biopsy described I actually had SEVEN nodules, and my thyroid was a mess - but by some miracle, it was NOT cancerous - just completely dysfunctional despite the normal labs. My endo said "I am SO glad you had it removed, I was really worried about you and I thought for sure this was cancer - I've been diagnosing a lot of that lately."
This stuff is SO scary - but as bad as mine looked, and it turned out ok, odds are you'll be ok too. The surgery really isn't that bad either. I've had other neck surgery (benign nodule removed from a salivary gland - my neck likes to grow nodules evidently!), and that was FAR more painful than this one.
You tend to see more horror stories than not, but it honestly isn't that bad if that's the route you have to go.
I find your comment helpful! I am 27 years old and was told that I had an enlarged thyroid when I went to see my new doctor for back pain! From that she ordered blood work and ultrasounds. From that the blood work was all off so they ordered more blood work that I do not the results yet I go back June 6 for those. From the ultrasound she said there was 2 nodules and referred me to endocrinologist which is booked until July! I am very worried other kinds of cancers run on both sides on my family, I cannot sleep, my voice goes in and out a lot, I have been losing hair and gaining weight. I think what worries me the most is not knowing what is really going on. I do not know the sizes or anything else just that I have 2 nodules and need to see the endocrinologist.
not to worry I have eight nodules on the tyroid and its okay and very common however it can cause problems when it is pushing on the thyroid, I would have THS panels done to see if it is a problem as well as seeing a specialist. A boipsy should be done to rule out cancer.
Hello I have had thyroid nodules for the past 7 yrs and I just had another ultrasound done and they found 2 nodules one on the left was I believe 2 cm and I just had a biopsy done and my results were malignant but they said there was alot of blood and I will have to have another biopsy done.What does alot of blood mean? I go back to the dr in 4 weeks..My blood work has been good no hypo or hyper.4 yrs ago is was hyper.I have been feeling nausea,tired and no appetite for the past 3 months on and off not everyday but most days. Im just not myself.......I have alot of people praying for me!
Hi! I wanted to post an update! At the appointment with the endo, he told me not to worry and thought he'd likely find it to be a colloid nodule after asking me about my history and doing an exam. My lymph nodes are okay and he said the nodule was mobile?? He put all this in his report back to my PCP. He did schedule me for the biopsy and was also going to schedule an uptake but then decided not to do the uptake. He also sent me for more in-depth blood work (I don't know those results though).
I just left the hospital from getting the biospy done. Before the doctor arrived, the ultrasound tech looked at the nodule and said it was going to be an easy biopsy (mainly because of the size, 2cm) He also said that it looked mainly cystic to him and he didn't see any solid characteristics. Anyway, during the biopsy, the doctor said the first sample he took was alot of colloid material. The ultrasound tech said, "See, I told you". The next sample was alot of old blood. I watched the whole procedure on the screen and he got alot of good samples, along the edges and in the middle. He explained everything he was doing.
My neck is just sore now. I'm still nervous but not so much. My next appointment isn't until March 1. I don't know if they will wait until then or call me sooner with the results. I guess no news is good news.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed and doing alot of praying!!
I just left the hospital from getting the biospy done. Before the doctor arrived, the ultrasound tech looked at the nodule and said it was going to be an easy biopsy (mainly because of the size, 2cm) He also said that it looked mainly cystic to him and he didn't see any solid characteristics. Anyway, during the biopsy, the doctor said the first sample he took was alot of colloid material. The ultrasound tech said, "See, I told you". The next sample was alot of old blood. I watched the whole procedure on the screen and he got alot of good samples, along the edges and in the middle. He explained everything he was doing.
My neck is just sore now. I'm still nervous but not so much. My next appointment isn't until March 1. I don't know if they will wait until then or call me sooner with the results. I guess no news is good news.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed and doing alot of praying!!
Welcome to the site.
Your story is similar to mine - my complex nodules (mine was much smaller) was found on a full-body CT scan with an ultrasound followup. I had no lab symptoms either - just a funky lump inside my thyroid.
Over 95% of nodules are benign - please don't panic. If you fall into the lucky 5% (like I did) it's really not bad either. As we in the club have found, thyroid cancer is the most treatable (and one of the slowest growing) cancers. It's really manageable.
You said you've been all over the Internet. Here's some great sites that taught me a lot and may help you:
http://www.endocrineweb.com/
http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/dept/thyroid/
http://thyroid.about.com/cs/basics_starthere/a/thyroid101.htm
I'm glad you are seeing an endocrinologist - they are the experts. Make sure that you feel your endo is competent, will work as a partner with you, and is caring! A few of us will tell you all about what a bad endo is like. :-) If you don't like this one, please find one that you do. It's also okay to get a second or third opinion.
The next step for you will probably be an ultrasound and possibly a FNA (fine needle aspiration/biopsy) but your endo can explain all this to you. Your sore throat may or may not be related to the nodule - or it could just be from the weather, the flu, etc.
Post away - we were all full of questions (still are) and are here for you!
Your story is similar to mine - my complex nodules (mine was much smaller) was found on a full-body CT scan with an ultrasound followup. I had no lab symptoms either - just a funky lump inside my thyroid.
Over 95% of nodules are benign - please don't panic. If you fall into the lucky 5% (like I did) it's really not bad either. As we in the club have found, thyroid cancer is the most treatable (and one of the slowest growing) cancers. It's really manageable.
You said you've been all over the Internet. Here's some great sites that taught me a lot and may help you:
http://www.endocrineweb.com/
http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/dept/thyroid/
http://thyroid.about.com/cs/basics_starthere/a/thyroid101.htm
I'm glad you are seeing an endocrinologist - they are the experts. Make sure that you feel your endo is competent, will work as a partner with you, and is caring! A few of us will tell you all about what a bad endo is like. :-) If you don't like this one, please find one that you do. It's also okay to get a second or third opinion.
The next step for you will probably be an ultrasound and possibly a FNA (fine needle aspiration/biopsy) but your endo can explain all this to you. Your sore throat may or may not be related to the nodule - or it could just be from the weather, the flu, etc.
Post away - we were all full of questions (still are) and are here for you!
Thank you for your response. I'm trying not to let it consume me, but it has. I spend every waking hour reading everything I can on the internet. I've been to all the recommended sites and thank God, happened to find this site! I'll wait for my appointment next week and see what happens. Just getting it out and hearing from someone has helped alot!! Thank you!
Hi There,
I am 15 days post op for a partial.. I had a 3.0 cm cold nodule on my right and a 1.7 cm and a cyst on my left... I found it two years ago.. had first biopsy year half ago and was benign 6 months ago had another came back suspicious had my right side removed and glad to say all was benign... so please dont freak out most nodules are 85% benign.. even though my fna were coming back suspcious it all turned out fine! nodules are very common... any questions please feel free to ask . Lots of us here on this forum have been through this so please post were ar4e here for you =) Best of luck!
Kelly~
I am 15 days post op for a partial.. I had a 3.0 cm cold nodule on my right and a 1.7 cm and a cyst on my left... I found it two years ago.. had first biopsy year half ago and was benign 6 months ago had another came back suspicious had my right side removed and glad to say all was benign... so please dont freak out most nodules are 85% benign.. even though my fna were coming back suspcious it all turned out fine! nodules are very common... any questions please feel free to ask . Lots of us here on this forum have been through this so please post were ar4e here for you =) Best of luck!
Kelly~
The first thing to do is NOT panic because the percentages are on your side for a benign diagnoisis! It is scarey to find out you have this nodule on your thyroid but it is not, I repeat NOT cause to freak...we have all been in your shoes and are hear to help you, to share with you and answer any question we can based on our non physician experience...but we do know what we have been through and it is not easy. So, see the Endo, and go from there....one step at a time and keep us posted on whats going on!!! Best of the best regards,
Lisa
Lisa
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Thyroid Disorders Community
We tapped the CDC for information on what you need to know about radiation exposure
Endocrinologist Mark Lupo, MD, answers 10 questions about thyroid disorders and how to treat them
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
