"suspicious" diagnosis

[Chattie]

Recently I discovered a nodule, then I had an ultrasound, then an FNA which came back with a suspicious reading. Is a Thyroidectomy the normal protocol, or should I be seeking other advice or treatment? If this is the best treatment for me should I have my TSH levels tested before surgery to determine approximately where my "normal" hormone levels should be after surgery? Do most people do well on hormone replacement therapy? And I promise my last question is: after surgery will I be considered "Hypothyroid"?

[Chattie]

Concerning getting a second reading on my biopsy. Is one other reading sufficient? Do I simply go to my Doc. that performed the FNA and request that my slides be sent for another opinion? And should I choose someone that is close to the region I live in? Thank you so much for your help!

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Depends on who read the slides -- if it was not a university-based expert, then would send the slides to an expert for second opinion prior to committing to surgery.  Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins, U Penn (Dr. Baloch), U Florida (Dr. Massoll) are all options for a second opinion (among others).

Most do very well with levothyroxine for post-operative hypothyroidism.