Hyperthyroidism

[Annalissa2013]

Hello everyone. Okay so I had my TSH done and the result was <0.006. The reference is 0.450 - 4.500. Two days ago my endocrinologist started me on Methimazole 10mg twice a day for the first week and then down to once a week thereafter. I had a thyroid ultrasonogram yesterday and the reading showed that I have nodules in my thyroid. Will my medication help control the thyroid nodules? Can anyone please give me some insight? Thank you so much.

[Barb135]

A lot of people think the same you do/did about the nodules or antibodies, etc; that they can't be healthy as long as those things are present, and that's not the case.  I've had nodules on my thyroid for years, plus I have thyroid antibodies and for all practical purposes, I'm as healthy as a "soon to be" 65 yr old woman can be.

[Annalissa2013]

Thank you Barb135. You're absolutely right. My oral surgeon happens to also be an M.D. He and and my cardiologist and my endocrinologist all agreed that I couldn't be put under general anesthesia until my thyroid was under control.
I guess I was worried that I couldn't be healthy unless the nodules were removed but hopefully the medication I'm taking will do the trick. Thank you so much again for your response. I'm learning so much from everyone on this site

[Barb135]

It's quite common to be able to feel the thyroid, if it's swollen/inflamed or to be able to feel the nodules. There's really no way to rid of nodules and they are, typically, of no concern, unless they're producing thyroid hormones independently of the thyroid, which should have been noted on the ultrasound if that were the case.

Not sure of the oral surgery, you're having, but I'm sure that both your doctor and dentist will not want any surgery done until your thyroid is stable.

[Annalissa2013]

I forgot to mention that I was scheduled for oral surgery but it got postponed until my thyroid was under control. I really want to have my oral surgery done as soon as possible. I know that I'll feel whole again after it.

[Annalissa2013]

Thank you both for responding. They actually tested for T3 and T4 but I wasn't able to get the results to post on here. I'm also going to have a thyroid panel at the end of January 2014 to see if the Methimazole is working. I have a slight bump on my neck. Maybe it's from the nodules but I'd like it to go down so meds is not the answer to get rid of nodules I take it.

[bedheadblonde]

Methimazole won't change the nodules, but it will help the thyroid stop (or slow)overproducing hormones. However, it should be looked into more if the nodules are the cause of the overproduction. I agree about getting the antibody and other thyroid tests done-it'll help distinguish between Graves', and Hashi's. (And unfortunately, you can have both.) Like Barb said, not all hyperthyroidism is Graves', so it would be beneficial to find out what exactly you have.

[Barb135]

Is TSH the only test your endo is ordering for you?  If so, you might want to start looking for another.  You should also have Free T3 and Free T4 tested every time TSH is tested.

Have you had antibody tests to confirm/rule out Graves Disease and/or Hashimoto's?  While Graves Disease is always associated with hyperthyroidism, not all hyperthyroidism is Graves Disease.  Hashimoto's is, typically, associated with hypothyroidism, but early stages can be marked by periods of hyper, alternating with either hypo or normal.

To test for Hashimoto's you need both, Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPOab) and Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TGab).  Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin (TSI) is the definitive test for Graves Disease.  

Nodules are very common with both autoimmune thyroid conditions.  The anti-thyroid medication (methimazole) won't do anything to change the nodules, but it will make your thyroid stop producing so much hormones.