Question about thyroid test results

[BabyBlue139]

Here's my situation: I went last week for my 1st blood test after a TT (found the nodules to be benign) that was 10 weeks ago.  The reason I waited so long for 1st test is b/c my Endo changed my script about 6 weeks ago to brand name Synthroid.  Anyways, overall I have been feeling pretty good, and no weight gain (which was my #1 concern).  I was afraid that maybe my doctor would treat me based solely on lab results and not how I feel, and so I did not want  to risk the chance of maybe him decreasing my dosage (currently at 100MCG), b/c like I said, I do feel good.  So, I didn't take my Synthroid the day before my test or the morning of.  Now I am worried that I probably shouldn't have messed with it because my Endo just called.  He said my thyroid levels were "bad", "way off" and "too low".  I know I should have asked him the actual numbers and reference ranges, but I did not think of it till later, and now his office is closed.  His nurse is calling me in a prescription at my pharmacy  to change my dosage.  My husband is very upset with me for doing that b/c he thinks that I am not getting a true reading.

My questions are: Do you think not taking Synthroid the day before and also the morning of a blood test will affect the results that much?  Do you think, despite what I did, I still got an accurate reading?  Also, by "bad", "way off", and "too low", do you think that means hyper or hypo?  I know I need to ask my doctor for clarification, and I will do that tomorrow :)

Any input will be much appreciated!    

[allyfield]

benign!  so happy, but dr said the cyst will grow back?  what can I do to not have this happen?

[allyfield]

Thanks for the info.  I too found the procedure awful!  I don't ever want to do it again.  I was very sore yesterday, kind of like whiplash.  Its better today, just a little sore.  I was told that I should hear something by monday.  Hoping for tomorrow.  

[BabyBlue139]

Hi Alleyfield,

I did have a biopsy 1st.  I had a single, 2.5 cm nodule on my left thyroid and the results came back "highly suspcious for papillary carcinoma."  My endo and the surgeon both said I had a 1 out 4 chance of it being benign.  I didn't like the odds, so I went ahead with the surgery.  After having the TT and finding out "no signs of carcinoma" were found I do wish I had gotten a 2nd opinion.  I was bummed that a perferctly healthy thyroid was removed. However, nothing beats knowing for sure that what I had was not cancer.    

As far as what to expect for your biospsy tomorrow, I really thought it was brutal! Something I never wanted to go through again.  Sorry if that scares you.  Some people have said that it was not that bad.  I disagree.  The pain itself was not terrible. It was more psychological that took a toll on me.  They stick a needle in your neck (of all places) several times.  While they did numb the area 1st with lanacane, I could still feel a great deal of pressure.  Again, I think it was more psychological torture than physical.  Everybody deals with it differently.  Just remember that you are doing this so you can get some answers, and you will be 1 step closer to finding out what/if anything is wrong with you.  It will be over in about 20 minutes.  When you are done they'll put a band-aid on it and send you on your way.  Go home and relax, have a glass of wine or something.  Expect to hear results in about 5 business days.  Hopefully you'll get a definitive answer.  If not, you'll probably need to do some thinking about what you want to do. While for me, it stinks that I was perfectly healthy to begin with, my decision to have it removed allows me to sleep at night, knowing that I do not have cancer.

I wish you all the best tomorrow for your biopsy and hope you get a definitive and healthy diagnosis.

[katebrunk]

My experience....biopsy of nodules will occur before surgical intervention:
I am having a TT in 2 weeks.  I was diagnosed with a multinodular goiter in October 2008 and had a FNA on one of the larger nodules but, not the others.  I asked the same question after my follow up 7 months later revealed clinically significant growth in all nodules, including very rapid growth of nodules that had not be biopsied.  A TT was recommended by both my endo and the ENT.  I posed the question to Dr. Lupo and to my endo as to why we wouldn't simply biopsy the larger nodules again....the answer simply was that the clinically significant growth among nodules in both lobes (and significantly thickening of the isthmus from 2mm to 6mm) was enough that a TT was warranted....no reason for another FNA as they would biopsy the whole of the thyroid when removed.  If thyroid removal is due to nodules, they will biopsy the nodules over 2cm (and in some cases over 1cm) before going to the knife!  That is without question.  If removal is due to hyperthyroidism or other issues not related to nodules, a biopsy wouldn't be necessary in most cases.

[allyfield]

just a question, you had a TT.  Did you not do a biopsy first?  I am just curious as I am having a biopsy tomorrow a.m. and would like to talk with someone about what to expect.

[BabyBlue139]

Thank you SuperSally for reassuring me (and my husband).  I knew I could count on someone from this site to help me!

[Super_sally888]

HI,

not taking the meds just the day before and day of the test will not mess it up or have much impact. This is becuase these thyroid meds have a very long half life (like about 4 weeks), which is why they only test about every 4 - 6 weeks to get an idea of what stable leves are.

In fact, usually do not take the meds on the day of the test (if the test is in the morning because it may artificailly make the FT4 look higher than it's average no.), but take it after the test has been done.

100 mcg may still be too low a dose after a complete t/t.  However, I can't read your doctor's mind.  So I dont know if he means there is too little thyroid hormone or if there is too little TSH.  Let us know once you get the results.