Hot Nodules Removal

[dontworry_behappy1]

My doctor has told me my blood test for thyroid are in normal limits.  I have noticed that I don't feel myself. I feel like I have shaky inside, thinning hair, thinning skin and dry skin.  I question if the hot nodule is causing this.  The hot nodule is 2.9 in size and I'm wondering if surgery is the answer.  If you had a 2.9 hot nodules...would you have you thyroid removed?

[Barb135]

Are you on any thyroid medication, whether it be thyroid replacement or anti-thyroid?

I'm sorry to tell you that a TSH test from 10 yrs ago is not valid, today; if you have others for the interim, we can take a look at them. TSH can fluctuate as much as 75% over the course of a day, so it's really not a good diagnostic.  If you have FT3/FT4 levels to go along with the TSH, we'd be able to tell you much more.

"It's not rapid heart beat.  It's like pulsing inside."  Would you consider it "pounding", as in, you can hear it/are super aware?

Will look forward to seeing your B12 and ferritin results.

[dontworry_behappy1]

Yes I had a FNA and its non cancer.  My TSH was .25 10 years ago.  I know you can't tell me what to do but would like to know what you might do.  I do understand you don't have one of these nodules and sure wish I could find some who does.

It's not rapid heart beat.  It's like pulsing inside.  Very different and did bring it up to my doctor who is responding with a ton of tests.  I really started lacking energy which is concerning.  Let me go back and look up the B-12 and ferritin.  Be back

[Barb135]

"I recently looked at blood tests results that are 10 years old and noticed
my TSH levels are always around 25 or so.  Which is low."  

If your TSH is always around 25, that's very high, as it should only be 0.3-3.0 (your lab is using an outdated range).  Or do you mean 0.25?  TSH is counterintuitive.  If TSH is high, with low FT levels one is suspected to be hypothyroid, and if TSH is low, with high FT levels, one is suspected to be hyperthyroid.

I'm definitely not an expert on nodules, but from my research, a hot nodule is one that secretes excess thyroid hormone, independently of the thyroid.  Hot nodules are almost always noncancerous.  Have you had an FNA on it?

Are you on some type of thyroid medication?  Your FT levels don't support the TSH.  They are more what we'd see if one were on thyroid replacement.

There are a lot of people who have thyroidectomy and do just fine, afterward.  It all depends on the doctor and whether or not s/he is willing to adjust replacement hormones adequately enough to alleviate symptoms.  How did you end up going to a surgeon?

Of course, we can't tell you what to do; that's between you and your doctor.  

Can you be more specific about "feeling shaky inside"?  Does it feel like rapid heart rate or palpitations?  Thinning hair and dry skin are hypo symptoms, and looking at your FT3 level, I'd say you might be a bit hypo. Any other symptoms?

We don't, typically, put much stock in someone simply saying their results are "normal"  or "not a problem (your B12 and ferritin), because, often results can be "in range" and still not be right for you.  If you have the actual B12 and ferritin results, please post them, with ranges.

[dontworry_behappy1]

Yes I have been tested for Vit. D, B12 and ferritin.  

Vit. D3            range   30-100                57

Vit. D2                                                 <4

T3, FREE               3.0                         2.3-4.2  pg/mL
TSH                       0.21                       0.40-4.50 mIU/L

T4, FREE              
    THYROXINE< FREE DIRECT
                              1.3                         08.8-1.8ng/dL

The above test results are from 6-10-2013 From a Endo Specialist

The prior post was last week results from a GP and interesting you should
not that the tests are out dates and not that helpful.  Got these at a annual
physical with the GP.

I have had Vit. B-12 tested within the last year and its never low.  I have
also had many blood tests in the last year and ferritin doesn't appear to be
a problem.

I recently looked at blood tests results that are 10 years old and noticed
my TSH levels are always around 25 or so.  Which is low.

It was in 2011 that I was told I have a thyroid nodules and just in the past
few months its hot.  I questioning if this thyroid problem has been around
can be resolved by removing the hot nodule?  If doing this is such a good
idea because I have read were people have worse problems afterwards.  

Really feel like this is a subject that nobody wants to discuss.  Doctors etc. have all these different ideas about how to treat and GPs are handing
out the thyroid meds.  In my case.... that is exactly what would have happened if a surgeon didn't catch the nodule in an exam and then refer me to need biopsy.  Any help, personal experience, your take on what I should
will be extremely helpful.  I'm at the watch and see place with this 2.9 hot
nodule but really hesitate to take out my thyroid without really good reasons.  

[gimel]

Sorry, I should have also requested the references that go with those tests.  Also, the T3 uptake and Total T3 are somewhat outdated and not nearly as useful as a Free T3 test.  So I recommend that you should request to be tested for Free T3 and Free T4 each time you go in for tests.  

Also, have you been tested for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin?  If so, please post those and their ranges as well.

[dontworry_behappy1]

my TSH was .16 in April.

[dontworry_behappy1]

T4 Free          1.8
T3 Uptake.      26
T3 Total.         133
TSH.                .36

[gimel]

Please post your thyroid test results that are in the so-called "normal' rages, so that members can better comment on the adequacy of your testing and that diagnosis..