What to Expect

[uncertain10]

I was recently diagnosed with a unidnodular goiter, and have a couple of questions. My ultrasound report read as follows: R Lobe measures : 6.1x1.5x2.5 cm with a hypoechoic nodule 8x3x6 mm.  Left Lobe measures: 4.9x1.4x2 cm. Apparently Isthmus is ok, (forget size). My endocronologist is following this as nodule is small, and not necess to biopsy, and my TSH is normal. Is it expected that the next ultrasond scheduled 9 mths after this 1st one, may show increased enlargement? How long will this needed to be watched. Is there any likelhood that I may develop hypo or hyperthyroidism? , or that the nodule could become a serious issue? Exactly how "enlarged" is my thyroid with regard to the normal dimensions?  Thanks!

[ashcam14]

Whatever you do, if the doctor tells you that you need sugery, get a second opinion!  I just went through hell. My doctor at a very famous clinic found 3 nodules on my right side, an acorn size one on my Isthmus, and , as they called it, a mind field on my left side of the tyroid. Even though all my test including my antibody test were all within normal levels, my doctor scheduled surgery, the sooner the better, Thank God my blood pressure went up and the doctor felt she needed to be honest with me. She said I did not need the sugery, this is within one week of the surgery she had set up for me to have at the hospital. Due to the first time i had the guided biopsy, she said the cells were abnormal and she thought it to be cancer, my mind stopped when I heard the word cancer, I had taken a family member to listen and ask questions the next time I went in after the second guided biopsy. My family member had medical knowledge and asked questions I would not have thought to ask. She made a point to ask the doctot " If this was your Mother, would you insist that she have the surgery/"  The doctor said Yes, she would reccomend she have it. I would have backed away from surgery if it was not needed. So I trusted this doctor.  So on pre-op I took a different family member, also had medical background, and as the doctor found my high blood pressure, she said she was going to postpone the surgery. Then she states that I really did not need the surgery. She also stated she never stated that she would want her Mom to go ahead and have it done. So, please get a second opinion no matter how much you trust you specialist.

[Barb135]

Many of us have thyroid nodules and they are nothing to be too concerned about.  What was your actual TSH level? And is that the only thyroid test that was done?  

You need to have both Free T3 and Free T4 tested, as well as the TSH, which is a pituitary hormone and should never be used, alone, to diagnose/treat a thyroid issue. FT3 and FT4 are the actual thyroid hormones, with FT3 showing the most correlation to thyroid symptoms.

You should also have antibody testing done to confirm/rule out an autoimmune thyroid disease.

Many of us with nodules, eventually end up with hypothyroidism, but it's not the  nodule(s) that cause that.  For most of us, it's the Hashimoto's that attacks and destroys our thyroid gland, so it no longer produces hormones.  Sometimes, nodules can "leak" hormone, independently of the thyroid, causing some to go hyper.  

The most important question is: what, if any, symptoms do you have?