diagnosed with Hashimoto's..large nodule

[kckmj]

I have a very large nodule and was diagnosed with Hashimoto's...my thyroid levels are normal, just the antibody level was high ar 27.  I had a biopsy done and an the results came back in the suspicoius/unknown category.  I am told I will need surgery to remove right side of thyroid and test done during sugery will determine benign/malignant.  Wouldn't another biopsy be best...trying to avoid sugery/removal...unclear on antibody levels....please enlighten

[redheadaussie]

Hi, Your situation is very much like what I had. My antibodies were 1442...and that's AFTER my left thyroid was removed. The doc said God only knows what they were like 6 months ago before we took that out!  I had a large lump in my left side and it came back from biopsy as Indeterminate. So surgery was performed. In the pathology it showed Follicular Adenoma...Just a glorified way of saying a cellular change which was non-cancerous but better get it out coz it is making the thyroid struggle to perform!
   Few months later I had another lump start on the right side. Two biopsies were done at the same time, turned out to be Hurthle's cells in there. So that right side was whipped out quick smart. It was luckily NOT a cancer, but a type of 'thinking about turning into cancer'.
  Biopsies are not perfect. The lump may have 70% normal cells, 20% not so sure cells, and maybe 10% oh my god type cells...(this is just an example...not true for everyone...but gives you an idea).... The needle goes in...and hits the little group of not so sure cells having a party. What does the doctor do, keep sticking those ruddy great needles into us like a giant pin cushion to see if they can get the good old boys 70% type cells? No of course not....the 20% type cells will have a kind of 'look' about them...the doctor will know then if surgery is needed...to be on the safe side.
   Having said all that, you are totally entitled to get a 2nd biopsy. It's your body.
As 898 mentioned....ultrasound can give a part answer to the look of the lump. Solid lumps are not brilliant. 898 says is the nodule rapidly increasing in size..this is an indicator of a not so good lump. (Mine grew 2.4cms in less than 2 months)
   Hashimoto's disease will kill off your thyroid, the lumps I believe are the thyroids way of coping with all the attack made on it by the auto-immune disease. In the end Hashimoto's will make you have non-functioning thyroid, so it's lumps versus Hashi's!
I do hope that has helped you a little bit. Remember, when in doubt ASK, ASK, ASK!
Cheers!

[898]

Was the ultrasound done? Is the nodule rapidly increasing in the size?
Is it solid and "cold"?"Core" biopsy may be more informative.