What to expect???

[txtkb]

I was diagnosed was several nodules on the left side, one as large as 3 cms. and a small cyst on the right.  I have been having trouble for almost a year now with breathing problems and hoarseness and just general fatigue.  I am a very active person and this has really started to take a toll on me.  All of my blood work came back fine, so I am being sent to an ENT.  With having the complications, do you think I will be looking at them wanting to remove these nodules or is there a way to drain them?  What do you think I can expect?


This discussion is related to recovery from and is thyroid surgery necessary.

[ChitChatNine]

I actually feel better in so many ways than before my surgery.  I really like that my meds can be adjusted to how I feel instead of my natural hormones being lower and not optimal ... I always tested "normal" for TSH but in reality by tweeking the TSH to how I feel (along with my dr of course) I feel better all around with no symptoms.

C~

[dahldee]

I'm scheduled for TT in 2 weeks. How do you feel 2 years after?

[saranic0le]

I just got home from seeing a Thyroid specialist/surgeon. He walked in the room and instantly new that I had a large nodule (complex cyst - meaning part solid/part liquid) on my right side. It's well over 5cm he said.  He also found a minor complex cyst on the left side that he wasn't as concerned about. They took 3 biopsy samples of the large cyst to determine if it's cancer or not...should know in a few days. However, due to the size, I'll more than likely get the nodule removed. I'm very curious about recovery time from such surgery...etc. I'm only 23 years old, however thyroid disease runs in the family...but my blood work came back fine (though, they said that doesn't mean my thyroid is fine).

[MANmom]

Sounds like you might want to have them removed, if they are nodules, they are not fluid, hence cannot be drained.  I had the same symptoms, I am a singer, so the hoarseness was a concern.  I had four nodules, three on the left and one on the right.  There is a nerve that runs through your thyroid that controls vocal function, that is probably why you are having trouble.  I had the right side removed hoping that would cure the hoarseness, it did work, but they found cancer, so I had a TT six weeks later.  Have you had an FNA biopsy?  You should.  Any nodule over 1 cm can be biopsied, then you might find out if it is cancerous or not.  When you have the FNA, they might not be able to tell.  Sometimes they have to take out the thyroid nodule (with the thyroid) to really tell what it is.  I would have at least the left side removed.  That will probably cure the hoarseness, and they can check for cancer, too.  I, too, am an extremely active person, I run/walk 6 days a week.  After the cancer diagnosis and TT, I gained 25 pounds and felt awful through the RAI treatment, but since I have finished the RAI and have been on the correct dose of meds, I am now within 5 pounds of my weight prior to the surgery and feeling great.