WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS BESIDES SURGERY RIGHT NOW

[captain2]

Found a 1.5cm hurthle cell neoplasm in isthmus  from  fnb. Decon 08 found the nodule with dopler, aug 08 took sonogram and sept 08 took fnb.  Was told I need isthmus and right loeb removed to see if it is cancer or benign
Fnb has differential diagnosis Seing a surgeon and  3 more endos .  AGE 58 AND MALE

Why cant I watch it for 6 months and see if it grows- no symptoms at all now and no other nodules.  . What is wrong with that.  I could live rest of my life with it. If hurthle cells function normanally how can they be considered cancer.  I DO NOT RAI PERIOD.

How will I be effected living with half thyroid.  How well does a 1/2 thyroid function and will it get goiter from overuse.
I want a completly normal metablism. Is that possible with half thyroid

can I request low dose hormone to equal what the missing loeb will produce-- 1/2 loeb and 1/2 mecicine.  Will I gain weight  with 1/2 loeb

[stella5349]

On the medicine - it depends again on what they find... If they find cancer removing the right side they may opt to doing RAI after a few weeks, so I don't believe they put you on meds if that's the plan. If they don't find cancer then usually after a week or 2 they put you on a trial dosage and then take lab work after a few week to see you levels.

With your endo saying she only bases her thyroid levels on a TSH - that scares me. More often than not, when looking only at the TSH, it's guess work on the doctors part. So many things may be missed if TSH is the only thing they are basing a decision on. Many after surgery , find a slow conversion can happen with the synthetic T4 meds. If that is the case - a TSH reading will not dectect this situation and some patients do fall through a thyroid hole until they find someone that looks at the free T3/T4 tests. I'd be curious to ask her what would be a normal TSH too? I hate to assume, but it sounds like she may be the type to keep you on a TSH level that may not be right either.

What is she saying right now about your TSH of 2.2?

Have you done any reading on the thyca.org site. Even through cancer is not known right now at this time you may find alot of information there too.

[captain2]

additional the ultra sound sad it is right isthmus with slight extension into right loeb.
Seeing surgeon  wednesday, but endo says and lab report says it should bee taken out. My tsh is 2.2, as partof general blood test.  the endo says that she looks only at tsh.  I have a apt with 2 other endos 1st week nov.  The slides were sent to surgeon  whos lab can to same diag of slide.  I am scheduled to take 2nd fnb in nov, but not sure if that is nesessary

[captain2]

From what I can remember  The report sait that it was exclusively hurthle cells with  prominent nuclui , scanty colloid in bloody backgroung  and groves and little pleomopthism.  The differential diagnosis was adomena or cancer or less likley hyperlastia.  

How fast do I get the medicine , month later, week later or a day later

[stella5349]

it sounds like you are pretty upset about this and good cause. No one wants surgery to remove part of anything I suppose.

I suspect your doctor has opted for surgery - correct?

You have alot of questions pertaining to after the surgery - but really - lets look at that right now.

If you have the report available and can jot that down here that could help. I personally - would want to move forward on that with this dx

After the surgery if you opted to have that out and are living with one functioning side. Yes - you can be OK and not gain weight. The trick is to stabilize the meds as quickly as possible with the right amount of hormones.

Getting stabilized as quick as possible will help you maintain the quality of life you seem to have. No you should develop a goiter from the one side of the lobe functioning.

If surgery uncovers cancer, you really should consider the RAI and finish it off. The thyroid is a very spongy and micro carcinomas can be left behind. RAI should kill off the remaining cells if cancer is found