Can you reduce the size of a goiter?

[mymeow74]

I have a goiter that I swear fluctuates in size, but I don't know if that's really possible, or is it?  My question is, without surgery, is there a way I can either naturally or with medication reduce the size of my goiter?  

[Barb135]

This is an old thread and justfixit is no longer active on the forum, so I doubt you'll get a response.  

The test you're getting is a nuclear uptake and scan.  You will be given a small dose of radioactive material (tracer), the tracer will collect in the thyroid than a sensor records how much of the tracer your thyroid absorbed. The second day the tracer is injected into your arm and a scan of your thyroid is done.

It's typical to go off thyroid med, usually for 4 weeks to be sure they are all out of your system before you have this test.  It does wreak havoc with some people and they have to start all over, once they get back on the med.  Goiter is a swollen thyroid and it's unlikely that going off your med will affect it all that much.  This test is, typically, done on those with hyperthyroidism.

Were you ever tested for thyroid Antibodies to determine whether or not you have Hashimoto's?  Hashimoto's is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the developed world.  

Do you have current thyroid hormone levels that you can post?

[KRJ2]

I just now found this forum, have read your writings and have some questions. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism 20 years ago, been taking Synthroid ever since. over 3 years ago I noticed difficulty swallowing, breathing, hoarseness. General doc did a barium swallow, no findings, so it was dropped. It's worse, went to diff family doc, had an ultrasound that showed goiter w/ nodules. am now scheduled for thyroid scan, a 2 day deal in 6 weeks. I was told to stop my Synthroid now. I'm afraid that will wreak havoc with my body and also grow the goiter.
My research is saying I'll most likely have to have thyroid removed which I don't want to do!
Any advice from anyone?

[AMcIntosh]

I just had my thyroid out last week. It had been enlarged for years and my doctor would not take it out until I voiced concerns of snoring and wanting a sleep study. It had almost gotten too large. It had stretched one of my nerves. Both nerves shut down after surgery and I had to be on ventilator in ICU for 3 days!

[patnob]

what did you do to make them shrink?

[justfixit]

Hi Barb135...  

I can shed no more on this as yet..  (hence no new thread)

Saw doctor today and he would not give me print out and was just saying "youre tests are normal".  When I inquired and asked for further tests, I was once again told ALL my tests were normal and we wont be taking it out!.

I replied with leave it or take it out, doesn't the fact that it has grown constitute further investigation?  I was promptly told, it is not pressing on the trachea or any other part of the throat and it has not grown downwards; it is a case of wait and see.

I pushed and pushed and pushed....  the only concession I got was the next time I have a crackly voice he'll refer me to an ENT to look at my throat.

I pushed the fact that I feel weak at the moment and my neck is still sore and moving it is uncomfortable.  Of which his response was to ask if I was possibly a hypochondriac or should I see a psychologist.

So peeved right now and looks like I need to find another doctor UUGGHHH!!!  

FEELING SO FRUSTRATED AND BEATEN RIGHT NOW....  

Barb135, I will start a new thread "just n case"

[Barb135]

No, you aren't going crazy......  Will look forward to seeing the blood test results when you get them.  Be sure to include reference ranges, as those vary lab to lab and have to be posted with your results.

You might want to start a new thread of your own, so we can keep you separate from all the other posters on this thread.