Thyroid Goiter

[Scribner99]

During a recent pap test my GYN discovered a goiter on my thyroid. Labs were ordered, Free Thyroxine Index S Total 8.0, % of T-Uptake 32, Free Thyroxine Index 2.6, Thyroid Function Cascade, S T3 Total 33,, Free t3 3.0, Free t4 1.06, Tsh 1.270. These labs were srawn in August. I then received a Thyroid Ultrasound that confirmed a multi-nodular goiter. Additional labs were ordered in October Free t4 0.98, TSH 1.150, Thyroglobulin Antibody <12.0, Thyroid Peroxidase ab 0.5. I had a fine needle biopsy yesterday. The symptoms I have are extreme fatique, weight gain,tingling in fingers and toes, muscle aches, and leg cramps. What  does all this mean?

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

It is not uncommon to have completely normal thyroid function test with nodular thyroid.  It is not clear why people develop goiter, some risk factors include iodine deficiency, radiation exposure, smoking, diabetes and family history.  Most of these nodules are benign.

[Scribner99]

Yes all labs are normal but why do I have the goiter?

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

The symptoms are not likely thyroid related.  Your thyroid functions all are normal.  Thyroid nodules typically do not cause these types of symptoms without impacting thyroid levels which your blood test indicate are normal.