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lobectomy or TT?
I have having difficulting in deciding between a thyroid lobectomy or a total thyroidectomy.
I am 44 female and have a 4-6 cm growth on my left lobe. Thyroid hormone levels were fine except for thyroid globulin was quite high.
Fine needle biopsy is uncertain- suspect folicular neoplasm.
I am reluctant to take medication for life. My doctor is willing to do either one, and notes there will be a examination under a microscope during surgery.
I am 44 female and have a 4-6 cm growth on my left lobe. Thyroid hormone levels were fine except for thyroid globulin was quite high.
Fine needle biopsy is uncertain- suspect folicular neoplasm.
I am reluctant to take medication for life. My doctor is willing to do either one, and notes there will be a examination under a microscope during surgery.
Best Answer
If you have good insurance, just have the one side removed. If they find cancer you will have to decide whether or not you will have the other side removed. It is not a guarantee that 1/2 of your thyroid will still function normally, your chances are about 60%, I think. I had four nodules, three on the right, one on the left, I chose to have the three on the right out, hoping for the same thing as you are hoping for. Turned out I had cancer, so I had another operation. The largest tumor was found after the second surgery. I am 1 year post surgery, I just had a thyroglobulin test...that can tell me if there is more cancer. Thyroglobulin is a marker for thyroid cancer, I would be concerned if your count is high, but still not a definitive result. By the way, my FNA result was "benign follicular clusters", they couldn't tell me if I had cancer or not until the first 1/2 came out. I am now taking thyroid meds and feel great.
Thanks,
MANmom and Tamara
I am new to posting to this type of forum. I was negative for Hashimotos and graves was ruled out.
Luckily I am not having any symptons, except my voice is getting minimally scratchy.
MANmom and Tamara
I am new to posting to this type of forum. I was negative for Hashimotos and graves was ruled out.
Luckily I am not having any symptons, except my voice is getting minimally scratchy.
PS, I am a 45 year old female, do you have any symptoms? Hoarseness? Swallowing difficulties?
Removing both lobes increases the chances of permanent parathyroid damage. You have two parathyroids behind each lobe. If all four are damaged or removed, then you will need to be on calcium pills for life and regulating calcium can be tricky. You only need 1/2 of one parathyroid to regulate calcium, so if two are damaged or removed, you still have two left to do the job.
If I had a large nodule on one lobe, then I would only have the one lobe removed. In the end, it is your decision.
Best of luck.
So TGab is positive. This could be Hashimoto's or Graves. Any TSI or TPOab tests?
BTW - 'Normal' is changing. Post your FT4, FT3 and TSH thyroid levels.
:) Tamra
If I had a large nodule on one lobe, then I would only have the one lobe removed. In the end, it is your decision.
Best of luck.
So TGab is positive. This could be Hashimoto's or Graves. Any TSI or TPOab tests?
BTW - 'Normal' is changing. Post your FT4, FT3 and TSH thyroid levels.
:) Tamra
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