Thyroglobulin level

[Justin1967]

What does it mean when my thyroglobulin level is 6 times higher than what it needs to be?
I have other normal blood results.

My doctor couldn't tell me.

I have  a large solid nodule arising from the mid to lower portion of the right lobe of the thyroid. This is quite well circumscribed with a halo appearance about its margin. It has dimensions of 4.2 x 2.5 x 2.8cm. It has a slightly heterogeneous echotexture and is entirely solid. Some blood flow was identified within it, although blood flow was more marked around the periphery of the nodule.

No abnormalities were detected elsewhere in the thyroid. The left lobe is not enlarged and the thyroid isthmus is of normal thickness.

[Justin1967]

Hi there

My blood results are
FT4 13.7pmol.l (9-19)
TSh  1.1mU/l (0.4-4.0)

Thyroidglobulin is 283

Justin

[Nyxie63]

Next time you see your dr, ask the receptionist for copies of all your test results, imaging reports, etc.  I've even spent a medical marathon day running between 2 hospitals, an imaging center, and 3 drs offices collecting everything.  It's not only good to have, but sometimes we can spot things that our doctors...ummm.. *cough* forgot to mention.

I hope you're thinking about getting another FNA done.  My first came back undiagnostic.  The 2nd one came back benign.  Some drs will automatically think surgery when an inconclusive FNA comes back (mine brought up surgery after the first one, and we didn't even have an answer.  Still don't, but at least it's not cancer).  If it comes back inconclusive a second time, then maybe.

Please keep us posted. :)

[Justin1967]

Hi
Unfortunately I don't have my other blood results. My doctor just told me that they are normal. Next time I will see him I will ask for results.
My FNA biopsy came back inconclusive, partly because the nodule is so big.

[Nyxie63]

When my endo got my thyroglobulin results, which were only slighly elevated, she just threw the piece of paper over her shoulder and said "we don't need this".  Apparently, that's not an uncommon reaction.

It's good to get done if you have a nodule, but won't be of any use unless you're going to have a total thyroidectomy.  Some cancers produce thyroglobulin and it can be used as a marker to see if all the cancer was removed.  Sometimes the thyroid also produces excess thyroglobulin if you're hyperthyroid.

Your next step will probably be for an FNA, which is a kind of biopsy where they use a very fine needle to take cell samples of your nodule.  Some people feel very little discomfort, others feel more.  Make sure it's an ultrasound-guided FNA, which tend to be more precise than the ol poke-n-hope method.  Please bear in mind that thyroid cancer is very rare (only about 5% of nodules contain cancer) so the odds are in your favor.

You said your other tests were all normal.  Would you mind posting them, with ranges as well as symptoms?  Thanks!