thyroid nodule

[allyfield]

I had a thyroid scan this week that showed a 1 inch nodule in the right side of the thyroid.  I am now scheduled for a biopsy.  The scan showed the nodule is cold, my thyroid labs are normal, I have a sore throat and my voice has changed.  I am very nervous, my doctor is being a little harsh.  I know that most likely this is benign but being that it is affecting my voice, breathing, swallowing, what will they do to resolve the issue?

[redheadaussie]

Hi there. You will probably find your thyroid nodule is pressing against your throat. This causes the sore throat and voice changes. If it is compressing onto it hard enough it can cause breathing and swallowing difficulties too.  You may find that the thyroid itself is actually enlarged and called a goiter.
They usually measure in metric rather than imperial. Which often confuses those who don't use metric measures. One inch is quite large.
  Do you take any medication? Or is this the first you know of your thyroid condition?
Do you have your thryoid tests? It would be interesting to see the results and if you could put the reference ranges that would be good too.

Often if the nodule is benign and you do have a goitre depending on what your thyroid blood tests show they may give you some medication in hope to shrink it to a comfortable level. Depending on many other factors they may choose to remove it totally.

It will only be after the biopsy comes back will you know which way they will deal with it.

Good luck with it!

[MANmom]

Get the biopsy, and if you are lucky you will get a diagnosis, but if you are like me you will not find anything out unless you take it out.  I had several nodules, three on one side, one on the left, biggest one was 2.1 cm. Had the same issues, I am a singer, so I was not happy with hoarseness.  FNA biopsy came back "benign follicular clusters" but NOT diagnostic for cancer, they couldn't tell.  Had the side removed with the three nodules, helped with the hoarseness and swallowing, but they did find cancer, so I had a TT.  The nodule will not go away, sometimes they can shrink them somewhat, but if it is causing you trouble, get it taken out. Is the doc an ENT or an Endocrinologist?

[allyfield]

I am still stuck with my FP dr.  He set up the biopsy and its scheduled at the imaging center for the 21st which seems like forever.  I picked up a copy of the notes.  Says Focal defect in the mid lateral aspect of the right lobe appearing to be a cold nodule.  The right lobe is larger than the left probably due to this area of probably nodule.  The uptake is 14% at 6 hrs with normal range of 3-16% and 27% at 24 hours which is within the normal range of 6-30% although some labs will call it 6-25% which would then indicate slight hyperthyroid.  
All blood tests were within normal limits.  I guess I will see a specialist after the biopsy.  Which is better, an ENT or endo?
The man did say that 1 inch was large, usually see pea sized nodules.  

[redheadaussie]

Endocrinologists specialise in the hormonal part. They are the better one to see.
Yes, that is a large nodule!
The 21st will come around quicker than you'll know!
Good luck!

[MANmom]

Yes, Endo specializes in the hormone part, but ENT's are the ones who know what is normal in your throat and what is not supposed to be there. They are also surgeons.  I think while you still have a thyroid you should see the ENT, then if you remove it, the ENT's work is done and they turn you over to the Endo.  In my case, after I had a lobectomy for nodules, they did find cancer, not in the nodules but in the tissue.  The Endo looked at the other side using his ultrasound machine, which still had a good sized nodule in it and suggested that it didn't look like anything to worry about and we should watch and wait.  All three of my surgeons said "take it out!"...turns out that the biggest tumor I had was in the side we took out after the first diagnosis, I am really glad I listened to the ENT's and not the Endo.  Just my two cents.

[allyfield]

thanks for the info, really tired of being stressed.  Did you have problems with being hoarse? Seems I cant catch my breath if I do too much.