Thyroid cancer or GERD?

[Marcij1]

Dr. Lugo,

For almost a year I had a cough with a lot of throat clearing.  Have been taking 40 mg. of omeprazole for GERD which was diagnosed a year and a half ago.  Primary care sent me to ENT for the cough, who did a scope of my throat and sinuses and didn't see anything she thought would cause the cough.  ENT tried increasing the omeprazole to 80 mg. (40 mg. 2 times a day) for GERD with no change in my cough and now is treating me with QVal inhaler thinking it could be my lungs. Cough is better, however I've developed a feeling of having a lump in my throat and I have been burping a lot, especially after taking the omeprazole.  I also have been waking up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat.  I have been on hormone therapy for hot flashes, but that doesn't seem to be working.  I also have a past history of hypoparathyroidism which was caused by a benign tumor on one gland, removed a little over ten years ago.  Have seen symptoms of medullar thyroid cancer on the internet and now I'm scared.  How can I be sure my symptoms are related to the GERD and not cancer?  I will be seeing my primary care doctor next week and want to be sure to get the correct tests, referrals, etc.

[dscoochie]

Hi, try to post on the expert forum now...I think its open for questions for a change!

Just go to Forums, the choose Thyroid under the Expert (Doctor) Forums.

Good luck!

[Marcij1]

Sorry, just re-read my post... it should have said "hyperparathyroidism", not hypo.

[dscoochie]

Hi there,

I think you need to post your question on the Thyroid (Expert Forum) in order for the Doctor to answer your question. I've been trying to get on there for days with no luck (the question limit always seems to be reached for the day).

However, I'm sure you'll get plenty of information / support here from members, in the meantime.

Regarding tests, etc., I think the first step is always ultrasound of the thyroid.  That will tell you if there are any nodules.  Then, depending on the results of that, you could have a uptake test (i'm actually not sure what that is, but have heard it mentioned, and I think it tests whether the nodule(s) is hot or cold).  You should also order blood work to test your levels.

Then, what usually follows is the joy of a fine needle biopsy (FNA).  I found it to hurt and be uncomfortable, although some people dont complain so maybe I'm just a wimp!

Depending on those results, you may be told you need another FNA in a few months, you may be told everything is fine, you may be told you need surgery.

The only thing I can say to alleviate you (and I'm sure you have heard this before, as I a million times) is that the chance that a nodule is malignant is very small, and even if it is, thyroid cancer is highly curable.  However - you dont even know if you have a nodule as of yet, so stay calm, get all your testing done, and, of course, peruse this forum as much as possible.  I've only been a member for about a week and already I'm very happy with the support!

I"m thinking of you.

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