Thanks again! I've had an "interesting" health history. I won't repost here, but in the Arthritis Community I have a post titled "Need Direction..." That is why I no longer freak out over anything medical. Bad doctoring has taught me to research and understand, then deal with it...
Usually the only fatal types of thyroid cancer are anaplastic (like Chief Justice Rehnquist had) and medullary. I said *usually* because the other two types are usually caught before they can become life threatening and they have a very specific post-surgery treatment plan (radiated iodine - RAI). RAI doesn't work on anaplastic or medullary.
I'm glad you understand the importance of taking care of it without freaking out. :-) that's often a difficult like to walk.
Utahmomma,
Thanks. We don't know what type he had. I tried looking up his death certificate online to see if it was mentioned but couldn't find it. We lost track of that part of our family.
I'm not afraid of thyroid cancer, just know that it needs to be taken care of.
Thanks again.
Do not overlook your family history of thyroid cancer. You need to consult with a thyroid specialist - most endocrinologists only deal with diabetes and there are some ENTs who are great with thyroids.
If cancer cannot be ruled out and you have a family history of thyroid cancer then surgery may be indicated. Do you know what type(s) of thyroid cancer? If it was anaplastic or medullary then you really need the thyroid removed - if it was papillary or follicular then surgery may still be indicated but those types of thyroid cancer are less aggressive.
Please, don't put it off too long.
Utahmomma
papillary carcinoma with 2 recurrences
three sisters with papillary carcinoma (one with three recurrences)
sister with precancerous nodules
daughter with precancerous nodules
Thanks. I meant to post this in the experts forum but it met it's quota for the day. The morphea I have is an autoimmune disease that over produces collagen, but morphea only affects the skin, not internal organs like other forms of the disease, and I've had it since I was around 7. I'm now 42. My biggest concerns are the high prevalence of thyroid problems on my dad's side of the family, plus the fact that one died of thyroid cancer. My research tells me there is only one that causes death. Granted, it could be because it was in 1977 and they may not have had as much info as they have now. My great-uncle had 4 brothers, one being my grand-father that had different types of cancer - all fatal.
I currently have no health insurance, so have avoided seeing a doctor for anything.
The ultrasound finding shows the result of severe thyroid inflammation in the past. I t can be as a result of postpartum thyroiditis as well as chronic autoimmune disorder.
Testing for TPO antibodies could be helpful.