Visible Goiter

[littles]

I have a visible goiter on the left lobe of my thyroid.  When I swallow, there is a lump larger than a quarter that moves up and down.  My voice is sometimes hoarse (when talking low) and I had a thyroid ultrasound yesterday.  The technician  took a long time on the side of the visible goiter.  I don't have an appointment until November 4th (2 weeks) and it is with an endocrinologist.  My blood work however was normal.  

Any idea if they will do something to rectify the lump?  It is sometimes difficult swallowing.  And it is noticeable by others (that is how we discovered I had a goiter).  Is it possible a doctor will just leave it there?

[898]

The displacement [volume] of larger lobe is about 8.7 cu centimeters [upper range of mormal, 9 is max]; the size of smaller lobe is 4.4 cu cm [closer to the lower limit of normal, 4 cu cm]. The total volume is 13.1 cu cm, however gland is assimetric. Normally one lobe is about 25 % larger then the other. The increased size of the lobe can be due to the nodules or inflammation

[DianeLyn]

Still trying to sort out all of my results - I know the blood test was pretty bad (TSH of 36.9) but not sure the ultrasound meanings.  What is a "typical" lobe size?  Mine were 4.9x1.7x2.1 and 3.9x1.6x1.4.  

[utahmomma]

If you like, you can always call your doctor's office and ask them for the ultrasound report.  Make sure you pay attention to the sizes of each lobe, descriptions of any nodules, and any other findings (have them fax it to you if possible).   Then you can post it here and we can help you with it so you have more information to discuss with your doctor during your appointment.

[sunsetswing]

i had most of my thyroid taken out almost a year ago, i had trouble swallowing and sleeping wasn't very good either.  I had my ultrasound first and found a 4cm nodule, i had a biopsy, that came back fine, but they decided to remove it because medication wouldn't reduce the size of my nodule because it got too big.  No cancer was found at surgery and i have hashimoto's.  I am not on medication but eventually the bit of thyroid i have will give up.  I am 45 and no family history of thyroid problem.

[littles]

Thanks for all the info.  I will know soon enough what the results of the ultrasound are.

Bye for now

[898]

According to the 20 years old [and probably not up to date] literature, the nodules discovered by palpation are larger then 1 centimeter and visible are of 1.5 cm and larger.
Sometimes the small solid nodule undergoes degeneration and forms large complex cyst.
The most important thing is to do the ultrasound next as some doctors are skipping that step and going directly to the biopsy [you will need one if nodule is 1 cm or larger] and ending up with confused and irrelevant results.
The ultrasound should use high frequency equipment for better resolution.
The blood test for thyroid antibodies may be helpful for final diagnosis.
Good luck!

[littles]

Thanks for answering my question 898.  This is my first chat experience on line and I don't have a clue how this works but I hope you get this answer.  I am 47 - and approximately 15 years ago I was told I had 4 small nodules on my thyroid and the doc said it is normal to have these nodules so nothing became of it until my two sisters noticed at two separate occasions that I had a lump on my neck this August.  If the lump in visible, which mine is, is it considered already quite big?  I know some nodules aren't even noticeable.  My grandmother had her thyroid out and so I guess it runs in the family.

[898]

The ultrasound report will give detailed information about the lump; if it is one single nodule of cluster of smaller nodules is present in addition to the large one , its composition , borders and blood flow.
So far based on the size only the biopsy is indicated. If result is benign and nodule is not rapidly growing, the non-surgical treatment will be attempted first.
It will be helpful to know how long ago the nodule appeared, the age of the patient and history of any thyroid disorders or risk factors in the past.