If nodule is Benign do I have anything removed???

[Heath574]

I will be getting a FNA for a dominant solid nodule 1.1cm  I have written on
here before and gotten some great response.  I wanted to know if the nodule
does hopefully come back benign what have people done?  Is there a chance
this will go down, disappear {wishful thinking?}   Has there been many that have
come back benign only to later change?  I have two young children, I really dont
want to go through surgery, but would love to hear from others and want the
outcomes were.  I have another nodule on my isthmus and feel like I
am breathing differently.  Sometimes feel my throat swell and eyes bulge.
My thyroid came back normal size.  Would really appreciate any comments.

[grannypepper]

I have been on thyroid meds for 30 yrs. Ive just recently been diagnosed with multiple nodules on BOTH sides plus a 2.7cm on the right side. Im scheduled for FNA and biopsy in 2 weeks. My lab work did come back normal. I have a family history of goiters, my brother and paternal grandmother. I am betting they will remove mine also due to family history. All this is taken into consideration when surgery is the result. Honestly I hope they take it out! I know it will just keep growing like my family members did. I just pray it comes back benign. Good  luck with your tests. I just wanted to give an example as to other reasons for surgery.

[Ravare]

It depends really. I had a 2.4cm benign growth on my right thyroid and was slightly hyper. I just had it removed 2 days ago (still in some pain). If the growth doesnt create any issues and is relatively small, some endos will say just to leave it. However mine was still growing slightly each year so they opted to just remove it.

[Heath574]

Thanks again Helen and Lori...I will look into that site.  I didnt know that I would need to
be careful with iodine if I have Graves or any other prob.  I guess my ENT is waiting for any blood tests until FNA results.  I also asked my dr. about something for anxiety, I usually wont even take aspirin, but anything that helps at this point.  Just today I started feeling like it was a little harder to breath where I have to  cough every once in awhile.   Pls keep me up to date on your results which I wish the best of luck with.  
Lori it's so great to hear that you've had nodules for so many years with no change!
I haven't heard much of that but was hoping that it's possible.  Have they gotten any
bigger? Smaller?  Corky has also wrote of her brother who's nodules  have not changed much.  So happy to hear encouraging news!  Thank you for taking the time, it  
definitely does help!  All of the best to you Lori on your future US.
              

[Loribop]

I have several nodules for about 12 years now.   Every year I get them checked out.  Sometimes I have an ultrasound of them, or a radioactive thyroid scan.  My endo said there is no need to have them removed.

Most likely you have absolutely nothing to worry about.  I hope this helps!

Lori

[4helen]

Have a look at this thread from the Complimentary Health Board on iodine.  Lots of info about it at the moment, but one needs to be careful with this supplement, esp if you've got autoimmune probs like Hashi or Graves.

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/756347

I found the document mentioned under (from the Amer Asso of Endos for Managment of Nods) very useful in the early days of trying to figure out the decision matrix for nodules.  It doesn't mention the interesting idea 898 has highlighted, which looks a good direction for some cases, perhaps mine? Thx 898.

I currently am using acupuncture and herbs to effect shrinkage and healing; I plan to US and FNA again but with follic/neops---it's not a game to easily pin down exactness, without surgery.

http://www.aace.com/pub/pdf/guidelines/thyroid_nodules.pdf

The FNA results generally take 3 to 5 days here in the UK.  I so relate to your fear. I had to get tranquailizers in the early days just to stop shaking, but once armed with info and a treatment plan, that fear abates.  I spent hours hunting down info to try to understand what this dastardly game was all about.  

Pls take heart that statistically, it is all in our favour -- whether malignant or not, it is all treatable! This board is a wonderful place to help in your healing process; no question is too much of a bother to the many here experienced and ever so kind and supportive.  : )  

[898]

In most difficult case [adenoma versus carcinoma], the sample from the nodule can  tested with proton resonance spectroscopy to determine if nodule benign or malignant.

[Heath574]

Thanks Helen...I  actually walked at least four miles every other day before I found the nodules.  I've always tried to eat as healthy as possible.  Vegi burgers, two cups of spinach a day, mutlivitamen, oatmeal for breakfast etc.  People would comment on what
a healthy lifestyle I had.  THe only thing is my alkaline phosphates on my last blood
work were low, I believe that's iodine in the diet.  So I now bought iodine salt and have
a tablespoon of that a day.   I stopped walking so much when I found the nodules
because, you know what I dont know why, I think I'm afraid I wont breath as well or
it could be a bad thing if the results arent good.  I'm pretty much on pause until these
results.   I'm sorry that you had such a rough time the last few years,  That must be so
hard when the results are not understood.  Would it help if you got another FNA?   I wish you all of the best and I too want to avoid surgery if possible.  Let me know how the alternative methods are working.  I will post my results.  DO you know how long it takes to get them, my FNA is on THursday?

[4helen]

Hiya---I feel that even if benign, I now know nodules mean an imbalance and are the body's signal to take better care (more exercise, better diet, reduce alcohol, dairy, caffeine, quit coil, address supplement deficiencies --maybe D or iodine etc).  I had 2 large US nods, never biospied, 4 yrs ago and I never took notice -- 4 yrs later and hypo illness set in ---1 disappeared, but 1 got larger which FNA can't specify (a follicular neoplasm--2 pathologist disagree about malignancy). Am now urgently taking better care of myself so as to avoid surgery (trying alternative methods to heal), and further unwellness elsewhere. I wish I had my 4 years back to take better care.  Good luck with FNA - it's easy compared to childbirth!!!   : )  

[Heath574]

Thank you AfricanGrey...Nice to hear that you had a good experience with
your FNA and great news that your results were benign, Couldnt be a better
outcome..  Appreciate the comment and wish you luck with your future
scans!
         Heath

[Heath574]

Corky I've been really nervous and so happy to have someone to talk to...I was laying with my two and three year old wondering what's going to happen.  I know nodules are common but I've never had ANYTHING.  I'm not worried about the FNA as long as  they  get what they need.  THe reason I had actually gone to my general dr. was
the lymph nodes were swollen for a month and I had taken two types of antibiotics with  no other symptoms and they are still swollen.  They did have somethilng about glands on the CT report,  after looking up all the terms, doesnt seem to be anything to worry about.  I was a registered Dental Assistant for ten years and took many x-rays so that's also a worry.  I'm happy to hear about your brother, I dont know much about Graves, but
that's encouraging that his nodules haven't changed in size for so many years.  I  feel better after reading your comment and will be thinking of you Thurs. knowing someone else is going through the same thing.  Do you have any other symptoms?  One of my nodules is on the isthmus, which is the thin middle portion that holds the lobes together.  I always know that it's there and I feel like its harder for me to take a deep breath in..  Really Appreciate you taking the time.  Good Luck to you Corky!

[AfricanGrey]

I just had an FNA, it's not too bad.  No worse than a flu shot about 4 or 6 times depending on the amount of passes.  Then you are good as new.  I also have a benign nodule, for me I will have Ultra sounds every six months, and hopefully that's it.

[corky13]

Hi Heath. My FNB is is Thursday as well. I am very nervous. Not about the actually procedure, just about what the results might be. I can't believe your doctor didn't call and discuss the results with you. I guess, many doctors do not understand how the news of a "nodule" could be upsetting and this may be because most thyroid nodules are benign. Thyroid nodules seem to be very common. Were your enlarged lymph nodes found on the ultrasound or ct scan? I would think if the doctor thought the results of your tests were concerning that he would have been the one to call you. The FNA is done by many doctors, because it is the appropriate next step. I have read many posts with people who have gotten benign results with no further issues. I actually have a brother that has nodules and his were benign. He had graves disease. They used a pill to part of his thyroid and then later he was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. He still has the nodules on his thyroid and they haven't changed much. That was 13 years ago and he is doing great with his medication. I will be waiting to her how your FNA went. I am not sure how quickly the results come back. I am sure it would depend on the resources that are available at the facility that the biopsy is done. Good Luck!
Corky

[Heath574]

I really appreciate your comments. Your always quick to respond 898 thank you and Corky  I hope everything goes well with your FNB.  I will also have my first one on THurs.  I'm suprised that they wanted to wait, my ENT requested I have one done right after CT and ultrasound.results.  I also had swollen
lymph nodes that were found to be unremarkable.  I actually do not know if I have
any thyroid disorder.  I had my first appointment with an ENT, spoke to hime for five min.
which he just felt my neck and looked up my nose.  Told me to go get a CT scan.  His
receptionist called after CT scan result and told me they found something called a
nodule and the dr. wanted me to go for an ultrasound.  I was so upset after the call
because I had no idea what a nodule was.  Went for an ultrasound and again secretary
called and said the dr. wants me to go for FNA.  Now I  was really worried because the
dr. had never called and it sounded seriouse.  A few days later I requested my results
and picked them up so I could try to understand things.  I've never spoken to the dr.
about any results or anything.  I'm wondering if he should have done blood tests or
anything?   Corky I would think it would be good that there's at least a reason for
your nodules, maybe that's why they just wanted to watch them?  It's such a scary thing
to go through.  Even if the results are benign we have to always wonder if it changed
or has gotten bigger.  Have you read of anyone who had gotten benign results and had
no problems after?   I will let you know what my results are.  How quickly do we get the
result of FNB?  All this waiting:{

[corky13]

Hi 898,
I know you stated that if Heath574's FNB came back benign that she should have it monitored every six months. Would you give the same advice for the nodules that I described?
Thanks, Corky13

[898]

I skipped the post where you asked about the cystic degeneration.
the cystic degeneration happens when the blood vessel near the nodule ruptures causing the bleeding into the small preexisting nodule. This causes expansion of the nodule and increased blood flow on the ultrasound.
in your case if nodule comes back benign, it should be watched for rapid growth using the ultrasound every 6 months.

[corky13]

Hi. I am really pretty new to all this myself, but from what I have ready on here and elsewhere about nodules I believe if the nodule FNB comes back benign than you do not need surgery. However the nodule will need to watched on serial ultrasounds for changes. I am actually getting a FNB on three nodules this coming week. I have (2) 2.2 cm  and (1) 1.9 cm nodules. Needless to say I am extremely worried. My Endo wanted to skip the FNB and wait six months for a follow up ultrasound. I requested the FNB. I was recently diagnosed with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and she believes that is the reason for the nodules. Do you have a thyroid disorder besides the nodule? Good luck with the FNB.

[Heath574]

I just looked at  my blood work and my TSH 3rd generation is 2.00
Does that mean anything?  Sorry for all the questions, I dont want
anyone at home to worry and I'm really happy to have people to talk
who are experiencing the same thing.  Appreciate any info

[Heath574]

What I really want to know is if it's benign can I forget about it, go back
my wonderful life before thyroid nodule???  I dont have any other
symptoms other then those described above and heavy breathing usually
at night.  I can handle all the symptoms as long as it's not going to get
worse, is that possible?  FNA in four days