Do I need to worry?

[happymomof4]

I am a 41 yr old female with 4 children age 9 - 17.  While pregnant with my now 17 year old my thyroid was enlarged.  My bloodwork was normal at this time.  Nothing was mentioned about my thyroid being enlarged again until about 5 years ago at my yearly GYN checkup.  My doctor noticed that my thyroid was enlarged and again ordered bloodwork.  Again it was normal.  At this past visit she noticed that my thryroid seemed a bit larger and she was worried enough to order an Ultrasound and bloodwork (bloodwork was normal for the third time).  My Ultrasound results are:  Thyroid gland is diffusely heterogeneous and demonstrates normal color flow.  An iso or slightly hyperechoic nodule with hypoechoic rim measuring 1.3 cm is presin in the lower right thyroid lobe.  A tiny .4 cm hypoechoic nodule is present in the lower left thryroid lobe.  Impression:  Heterogeneous thyroid gland may reflect a thyroiditis, possibly Hoshimoto's.  A 1.3 solid nodule lower right thyroid lobe.

I cant get into an endocronologist for 3 weeks.  I am concerned that the solid mass may be cancer and dont know if I should wait the 3 weeks or find a new doctor.  Is there anything that indicates a greater or lesser chance of malignancy?

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

This description is fairly low risk for a cancer.  It sounds like you have autoimmune thyroid disease (ie, Hashimoto's -- based on heterogeneity and onset around time of pregnancy) with normal thyroid function.  A hyperechoic nodule in this setting is rarely cancer.  Seems okay to wait 3 weeks.  The endocrinologist may decide to FNA biopsy this nodule to confirm it is benign.

[happymomof4]

Thanks so much Dr Lupo.  I appreciate you taking the time to help me.  I will sleep a little better now that you have explained this info to me and I will be cautiously optomistic.  I do want an biopsy for sure.  Thanks again!  Sandy

[Super_sally888]

Hi,

Dr. lupo will answer soon.  However, thyroid cancer, if it were that tends to develop very slowly and is usually easily treatable.  Seeing the endo in three weeks will be fine.

Best wishes