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How long for FNAB results?
Does anyone know how long it really takes for a lab to turn around FNAB results?
I had one last Thursday. The technician told me that it really only takes one day, but my doctor's office may not get back to me for 3 or 4 days. She suggested I start calling on Friday afternoon.
Well, Friday - nothing.
Monday - "lab said the report would be ready Tuesday."
Tuesday - nothing.
My ultrasound showed 27cysts and nodules (plain cysts, complex cysts, nodules, complex nodules, some with microcalcification, one with calcification, some isoechoic).
What I find unusual is that, even with that many, the size of my thyroid is pretty normal.
They biopsied 3 of the biggest ones (>1cm in 2 directions).
The waiting is horrible.
Even if the findings are benign, with 27 cysts/nodules would they just leave it alone?
Obviously, something unusual is happening.
I had one last Thursday. The technician told me that it really only takes one day, but my doctor's office may not get back to me for 3 or 4 days. She suggested I start calling on Friday afternoon.
Well, Friday - nothing.
Monday - "lab said the report would be ready Tuesday."
Tuesday - nothing.
My ultrasound showed 27cysts and nodules (plain cysts, complex cysts, nodules, complex nodules, some with microcalcification, one with calcification, some isoechoic).
What I find unusual is that, even with that many, the size of my thyroid is pretty normal.
They biopsied 3 of the biggest ones (>1cm in 2 directions).
The waiting is horrible.
Even if the findings are benign, with 27 cysts/nodules would they just leave it alone?
Obviously, something unusual is happening.
Only from what I've read..
Cystic isn't bad. Somewhat less likely to be cancer. And most nodules aren't cancer. Most cancer is slow growing. Younger people with thyroid cancer usually have a very good prognosis.
FNA biopsy. I've had one, well three actually. They use a fine needle to take a sample of any nodules over 1cm.. It doesn't hurt so don't worry about that.
Nodules that aren't cancer are usually just watched unless they cause compression issues.
I've read that thyroid issues can make it harder to get pregnant. Considering your nodules and desire to get pregnant, might make sense to have your thyroid labs and antibodies checked. I suspect your doctor is going to run those whether you ask or not.
Good luck.
Cystic isn't bad. Somewhat less likely to be cancer. And most nodules aren't cancer. Most cancer is slow growing. Younger people with thyroid cancer usually have a very good prognosis.
FNA biopsy. I've had one, well three actually. They use a fine needle to take a sample of any nodules over 1cm.. It doesn't hurt so don't worry about that.
Nodules that aren't cancer are usually just watched unless they cause compression issues.
I've read that thyroid issues can make it harder to get pregnant. Considering your nodules and desire to get pregnant, might make sense to have your thyroid labs and antibodies checked. I suspect your doctor is going to run those whether you ask or not.
Good luck.
Ljbrdh,
Your story sounds like mine. My OBGYN discovered my enlarged thyroid in early March. I had an ultrasound the following week. I have three nodules. Two on the right side and one big one on the left. My large nodule measures 4cm by 2cm. It is 40% cystic. My throat has felt full and my voice a little scratchy. I have my FNA tomorrow morning. The only reason I got in earlier is that my family personally knows a physician at my hospital who made a call for me! I had called another hospital and I could not get a new patient appointment until August! I was floored when I heard this. I have talked to other people who have had thyroid problems and they say that Endos are always busy! It seems inhumane to make someone wait two months or mire for a biopsy! Good luck with your appointment in May. I will let you know how my appointment goes. I just hope that it does not take too long to get the results. Fingers crossed.
I do have a few questions for the group:
- if a nodule has cystic components does that mean anything? Good or bad?
- are most large nodules removed just because of their size?
- has anyone else had screwed up menstrual cycles? My husband and I have been trying to get pregnant and my cycles are all over the place.
- is anyone really fatigued? I almost feel like I have a mild case of mono!
Your story sounds like mine. My OBGYN discovered my enlarged thyroid in early March. I had an ultrasound the following week. I have three nodules. Two on the right side and one big one on the left. My large nodule measures 4cm by 2cm. It is 40% cystic. My throat has felt full and my voice a little scratchy. I have my FNA tomorrow morning. The only reason I got in earlier is that my family personally knows a physician at my hospital who made a call for me! I had called another hospital and I could not get a new patient appointment until August! I was floored when I heard this. I have talked to other people who have had thyroid problems and they say that Endos are always busy! It seems inhumane to make someone wait two months or mire for a biopsy! Good luck with your appointment in May. I will let you know how my appointment goes. I just hope that it does not take too long to get the results. Fingers crossed.
I do have a few questions for the group:
- if a nodule has cystic components does that mean anything? Good or bad?
- are most large nodules removed just because of their size?
- has anyone else had screwed up menstrual cycles? My husband and I have been trying to get pregnant and my cycles are all over the place.
- is anyone really fatigued? I almost feel like I have a mild case of mono!
I have a large nodule on the left side that I noticed last week. My neck is swollen. I had blood work for t3 and tsh both came back normal. I had an ultrasound on Friday where they found several small nodules on the right side and the one large one on the left. I need a biopsy but told I can't get in until May. Very worried. I am a former smoker and I noticed this large mass out of no where. My neck and throat have felt tight lately and I get very bad headaches. Sometimes my throat seems to be a bit constricted as well. Just very nervous for the results.
Congrats on biopsy results. From what I have read and read and read most people have nodules, I had 13 before I had my thyroid was removed. They are not always a problem however if you are feeling lousy and your gut tells you to I would ask for more tests or a 2nd opinion. Blood work can be an indicator but it's not reliable, my levels were all good but I it didn't mean much. Have you seen an endocrinologist? If not, I think you need to be referred and make that your next step, if you already have one then he/she should have the results and go over them with you, if you are not satisfied, get another one. I prefer to err on the side of caution but in the meantime, I am glad the wait is over and news is benign. There are a whole host of Thyroid Disorders and many of them are not cancer and can involve nodules. Check out some of the websites like American Thyroid Association, there are Endo sites as well, lots of good info there. I wish you all the best and good health, I'll be checking back from time to time to see how things are going for you.
Congrats on biopsy results. has the doc done any blood work to find out if your thyroid is functioning normally? I can't believe with that many nodules that you can't feel it in your throat. I had my biopsy done yesterday, doc said we should have results no later than tuesday. I am sorry I don't have any input on the results of the biopsy. But if your Doc said benign, then i would just go with that, that is wonderful.
From what I know it takes usually a day or two in the actual pathology lab..it could take a half day to get to them depending on how the courier picks up at the place of the FNA. It is then usually faxed to the doctor, who usually love playing the game of let's make you wait till I can be bothered seeing you or ringing you. I waited 2 weeks! Grrrrrrr.
From what I know, the hyperplastic nodule is normally benign. It's those few Hurthle Cells that may cause a problem. I had tons of them and the thyroid came out, but your doc may do a wait and see. I guess you really ought to talk to the doc about it.
Cheers
From what I know, the hyperplastic nodule is normally benign. It's those few Hurthle Cells that may cause a problem. I had tons of them and the thyroid came out, but your doc may do a wait and see. I guess you really ought to talk to the doc about it.
Cheers
Well, I got a fax of the results.
Can someone interpret?
It says: Ultrasound guided aspiration/biopsy for the two dominant nodules in the left lobe and a nodule in the right lobe. All nodules containe punctate calcifications.
1.) abundant colloid admixed with follicular cells and and hemosiderin-containing macrophages . . . scattered sheets of cells in which there is more abundant, finely granulated cytoplasm . . .round to ovoid, smooth nuclei and are consistent with Hurthle cells . . .consistent with those of a hyperplastic nodule.
2.) pseudocellular hemorrhagic colloid containing a scattering of follicular cells and Hurthle cells . . .few scattered hemosiderin-laden macrophages . . . consistent with those of a hyperplastic nodule.
3.) scattering of thyroid follicular cells arranged in hemorrhagic colloid . . . scattered Hurthle cells . . . consistent with those of a hyperplastic nodule.
Peggy
Can someone interpret?
It says: Ultrasound guided aspiration/biopsy for the two dominant nodules in the left lobe and a nodule in the right lobe. All nodules containe punctate calcifications.
1.) abundant colloid admixed with follicular cells and and hemosiderin-containing macrophages . . . scattered sheets of cells in which there is more abundant, finely granulated cytoplasm . . .round to ovoid, smooth nuclei and are consistent with Hurthle cells . . .consistent with those of a hyperplastic nodule.
2.) pseudocellular hemorrhagic colloid containing a scattering of follicular cells and Hurthle cells . . .few scattered hemosiderin-laden macrophages . . . consistent with those of a hyperplastic nodule.
3.) scattering of thyroid follicular cells arranged in hemorrhagic colloid . . . scattered Hurthle cells . . . consistent with those of a hyperplastic nodule.
Peggy
The doctor left me a message:
"Wonderful news - benign.
We will repeat ultrasound in 8 months.
Hope you are doing well."
Well, yes, wonderful news that everything is benign!
BUT, I am NOT doing well. I feel bad every day.
Could 27 benign cysts/nodules on my thyroid give some clue as to why I feel so bad?
Did they see anything unusual? I need more information.
I am calling the office as soon as they return from lunch.
Very relieved, yet frustrated.
"Wonderful news - benign.
We will repeat ultrasound in 8 months.
Hope you are doing well."
Well, yes, wonderful news that everything is benign!
BUT, I am NOT doing well. I feel bad every day.
Could 27 benign cysts/nodules on my thyroid give some clue as to why I feel so bad?
Did they see anything unusual? I need more information.
I am calling the office as soon as they return from lunch.
Very relieved, yet frustrated.
I was also wondering, I go tomorrow for mine. I'm more nervous about waiting for the results then I am going for the FNA. I have two nodules, one small and one 1cm. Do they do both or the biggest one? I hate needles, so I hope it's just the one.
I am so glad I found this site, sometimes it just helps having others to relate to. Good luck Peggy on your FNA today!
I am so glad I found this site, sometimes it just helps having others to relate to. Good luck Peggy on your FNA today!
I'm in Canada and I had to wait a week before I got mine. I know that the U.S. has a different system but, I've heard of others in here and elsewhere (U.S.) who have gotten their results almost immediately IF there were malignancies. Perhaps, no news is good news?
I'd like to think of it that way. Hang in there! Whatever is, is and worrying about it doesn't change it or rush the results through any sooner so, try to relax as much as possible and set up something for yourself that you love to do in the meantime.
I know how this feels so know that you're in our thoughts!
I'd like to think of it that way. Hang in there! Whatever is, is and worrying about it doesn't change it or rush the results through any sooner so, try to relax as much as possible and set up something for yourself that you love to do in the meantime.
I know how this feels so know that you're in our thoughts!
I was going to ask the same question. I am going for biopsy today. This seems like a long time to wait for results. I don't know about you, but my life is on hold until i find out what the heck is wrong with me. Thank You everyone for the input.
Susie
Susie
Mine was verbal 15mins after the did it .. done at a large breast cancer facility that does thyroids 2X week. It can take 48-72 hours ... it depends on how busy the lab is.
Then it can take even longer ......my lump that was benign above the incision took 12 very long days to get a benign report ... it takes a lot of time sometimes .. depends when the sample hits their desk I think.
C~
Then it can take even longer ......my lump that was benign above the incision took 12 very long days to get a benign report ... it takes a lot of time sometimes .. depends when the sample hits their desk I think.
C~
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