thyroid biopsy

[levco]

my mother, 84 years old, had an abnormal thyroid scan and "atypical" biopsy results.  her t4 was abnormal, no #'s were shared.  she has had br ca 2 times, radiated over 10 yrs ago for first br ca.  she does not feel well.  Her phys tells me not to do anything.  He says if it is cancer, it is slow growing.  I think at the very least, they should treat her with meds to make her feel better???

[levco]

I am a lactation specialist.  I have discovered several patients who have thyroid issues that affect their milk production.  What is the best diagnostic blood tests to determine abnormalities ?  I have been recommending tsh/ free t4At .  sometimes they come back very borderline.  Is there anything more defining?

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

"Atypical" is a tough category -- the doctor needs to ask the pathologist what is meant by this and most often the implication is to consider repeating the biopsy in 3-4 months.

There is no medication unless the thyroid levels (particularly TSH) are abnormal.