thyroid cancer

[neubie]

Is it possible to have normal blood work (tsh) and still have thyroid cancer? I had blood work done after a fever in January and my tsh was 1.11. I was told it was normal. Since then I lost weight, thinned out and developed tremors and twitches. I noticed a hard painless lump in my thyroid area last month. It has increaed in size over the past month and am concerned that I have cancer of the thyroid but it was too early to detect in January. Is it possible to have symptoms and normal levels? Is it possible to have hypo and hyper conditions that alternate?

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

There is no bloodtest for thyroid cancer -- most patients have normal TSH. FNA biopsy of the nodule is the key to diagnosis.

[treimbol]

All my thyroid levels were normal and I have thyroid cancer.  Usually the only symptom of thyroid cancer is a painless lump in your thyroid (nodule)...if your levels are abnormal, that usually indicates another type of thyroid disorder.  While only approximately 5 percent of nodules are malignant, all nodules you can feel should be checked out via ultrasound (painless, quick, cheap) and followed up with an FNA biopsy if suspicious.  It is also possible to have alternating hypo and hyper conditions as is the case with some versions of thyroiditis, etc.  This is a great forum with a lot of knowledgeable people who will give you some great advice, but when in doubt (and since you noticed the nodule), go get checked out by your doctor.
Good luck!