Thyroid nodule biopsy - scared of cancer

[ErinMarie123]

Hi -

I'm a 33 year old female with a good health history. I had a baby back in January and about 3 weeks ago my hair started falling out like crazy. I figured it was baby-related, since that can happen. About a week after that I felt a lump in my throat - nothing bothersome, just there. On a whim I called the Aetna nurse line to ask if my hair falling out was baby-related, and she asked for any other symptoms. I told her nothing really - that I have ovarian cysts and I had just noticed a lump in my throat. She said it could be thyroid-related, so I saw the doctor.

Long story short, I had bloodwork & an ultrasound done. The thyroid levels were mostly OK - they said the thyroid antibodies were a little high, but that I also had a nodule so that was not surprising. She said I need to have the nodule biopsied so I am having that on Wed.  For the record, my hair loss seems to have stopped.

I am terrified because from what I've read thyroid nodules don't typically cause symptoms - but I can definitely feel it in my throat. It does not inhibit swallowing or breathing, and I can't really feel or see anything different in the mirror. I am so afraid this is cancer since I can feel it in there. Of course now that I know it's there it's about all I can think of - so I don't know if the feeling is genuine, or if I can feel it b/c I'm concentrating on it so much.

Anyway - I was just wondering what you guys with nodules have experienced. Also, how long did it take you to get results from your biopsy? Is it normal to automatically do a biopsy of a nodule or would they only suggest it if they thought something was wrong? I'm terrified I have the horrible kind of thyroid cancer that spreads quickly and is basically untreatable.

Thanks for any advice/comments you have. I appreciate it.

[gimel]

bump

[kris10_2]

I have the same sort of situation except that I found out through blood work that my thyroid number was 2.7 or so and the antibodies were normal.  I have a scratchy throat along with muscle and joint pain and extreme fatigue.  I had an ultrasound and just found out today that I have a 3mm nodule on my thyroid and am scheduled to go see an endocrinologist in a couple of weeks.  I am also healthy and am 35 year old but cancer runs in my family.  I read one article that said that 95% of thyroid nodules are benign but that still leaves 5% that they are malignant.  I also read that of those 5% that are malignant that it is completely curable if found early enough.  I am too terrified out of my whits and have to wait more than two weeks to go see this endocrinologist.  Can someone/anyone who might have had any of our symptoms and results please shed some light?  Thanks in advance.

[MANmom]

After an FNA it usually takes 5 to 7 days to get results, although sometimes you do not get a definitive answer.  Right now, your hormones are probably just fluctuating due to baby...I had baby related hypo once, went back to normal after a few weeks.  If your antibodies are high, you may have hashimotos with nodules.  Nodules do not go away, so you will eventually have to have it removed, even if it is found to be benign, which is most likely.  Only 5-15% of nodules are cancerous, the odds are with you, but you need to have it tested.  Any nodules over 1 cm should get an FNA biopsy, and if it is causing symptoms, then you should explore it further.  Get the FNA, keep watching it and your hormones.  You probably have had it a while, you just didn't notice it until recently.