Thyroid Nodules

[furmin]

I am a 22-year-old female. Since March, I have had all sorts of medical trouble. It very strongly resembles hyperthyroidism with symptoms including racing heart, anxiety, irritability, trouble concentrating, etc. I've now had 4 sets of thyroid blood work done. The first set indicated I had hyperthyroidism. My GP sent me for an ultrasound and more blood work. This time blood work was fine, but the ultrasound picked up some nodules. My doctor said I only had common anxiety since I was not showing anymore signs of hyperthyroid. I went to a endocrinologist for a second opinion. This blood work came back fine and he did no further exploration of the nodules. He told me to come back in 3 months. I was hospitalized last month for a racing heart that could not be controlled. I was at 140 bpm while resting. Another thyroid test done there showed my thyroid as normal. I have a constant swollen/lump feeling in my throat and my thyroid frequently feels tender. I also have been having jaw pain and ear pain recently, which I saw were symptoms of nodules. I was wondering if anyone out there has had similar experience with nodules and what I should do? I am thinking about demanding a biopsy at my next endo appointment, because this is very uncomfortable.  I know nodules are rarely cancerous, but I feel it would be better safe than sorry.

[furmin]

I am not sure if my T3 was ever tested by a doctor. I just know that my GP dismissed me after testing for hyperthyroid a second time and finding nothing. He simply said he thought it was all in my head, and did not spend any time even explaining the blood tests he did. My ultra sensitive TSH levels are 2.34  with a lab normal being 0.40-4.5 so they seem to be right in the middle. I have the form for my follow up blood work and will check the box for free T3 testing. My follow up appointment is 9/22/10, but I will have my results before then so I will post them here.

[blsdnsvd]

It is very common for the docs to base their opinion on the TSH results and i have learned from people on this site that testing the Free's (T4 and T3) go hand in hand when trying to determine how a person is feeling with a thyroid condition. They tested your Free T4 but not the Free T3...even if it's within normal range but on the low side, that can be why you are feeling the way you are.

I'd suggest to the doc that they do that lab test (Free T3) as well and also the biopsy if the nodule is bothering you.

[mtgardner]

Did they check your T3?  

[furmin]

Thanks for the response. The most recent blood work I had done that I actually have numbers for was taken 6/12/10. It shows my Thyroglobulin AB was less than 20, but no exact value. Just says that 0-20 is a lab normal. Thyroid Peroxidase was less than 10 with normal being 0-34. My free T4 was 1.1 with normal range being 0.8-1.8. I am going to get these retested in about 2 weeks, and I have another appointment with my endocrinologist in about a month. I am demanding he biopsy these nodules, because they have become very uncomfortable. It constantly feels like I have a pill stuck in my throat. I have also been very nauseous and dizzy lately. I'm kind of surprised he didn't do further testing on them to begin with.

[ChitChatNine]

Hi,

WELCOME to our community!

C~