Aa
recurrence?
Had papillary thyroid cancer 26 yrs. ago. Did not have RAI nor can i remember the last time a thyroglobulin test was done. I do not have records of the surgery. I was under the impression all these years that the whole thyroid was removed. Only to find out this year I still have a right side. Having symptoms of thyroid disease. There is a 4mm lump on the right thyroid. My problem is I can't seem to get anyone to listen and run tests. I keep getting mixed answers. Not sure what to do next
COMMUNITY LEADER
If you can't get them to do the tests, you can order them online and get them done at a local lab. The problem with that is that they aren't covered by insurance, but they are affordable. For $85, you can get Free T3, Free T4 and TSH. Antibody tests would be more.
Are they telling you why they won't run thyroid tests? Anyone who has had a partial thyroidectomy is subject to diminished thyroid function later on. Those should be the first tests they'd run.
Have you tried telling them exactly what tests you want? Some doctors will run them, if you're very specific about what you want.
Are they telling you why they won't run thyroid tests? Anyone who has had a partial thyroidectomy is subject to diminished thyroid function later on. Those should be the first tests they'd run.
Have you tried telling them exactly what tests you want? Some doctors will run them, if you're very specific about what you want.
Thanks for all the info. I am on levothyroxin and have wondered if this could be 2 separate issues. The trouble I am running in to with doctors is getting them to run the thyroid tests. I do not have any records from the original surgery but was told it was malignant papillary thyroid cancer and a total thyroidectomy was done. It was not until this January that I have found out otherwise. Only the left side thyroid appears to have been removed. I have seen 2 ENT's and an Endo. The first guy started with the rest of the thyroid needs to come out. It should have been totally removed in the 80's. Then when it became clear that there was no copy of the surgery report then the story changed and it didn't need to be removed. I did have a copy of an ENT report from the 80's that confirmed papillary cancer. Saw endo he felt it should definitely be biopsied. Then it didn't. The docs want to test for other stuff. Yet won't touch the thyroid
COMMUNITY LEADER
Don't bother with Total T4; you need both Free T4 and Free T3. Those are the only ones that will give useful information.
If an upper GI showed that things are getting stuck in your throat, you may have more than one problem. There's a ring in your throat, called a Schatzki ring, which sometimes closes up and causes food to get stuck. If this happens, they have to go in and stretch that ring; done via endoscopy. My husband has had this done twice and I think needs to have it done again. When he tries to swallow, food just won't go down. He has to take smaller bites and chew better in order to get the food down. Often he has to drink large amounts of water to get the food to pass on down.
The cold, no energy and dry skin are thyroid symptoms, but can be caused by other things, as well. Many of us have the throat clicking; it's almost always nothing to worry about, because it's just the soft palate and tongue shifting. Verify that with your doctor.
You need the Free T3 and Free T4 tests in order to know what's happening with your thyroid.
Do you know if you have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis? If not, you need to be tested for thyroid antibodies, which are Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPOab) and Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TGab). Thyroid nodules are very common with Hashimoto's and usually, they are nothing to worry about; however, since you do have a history of thyroid cancer, I'd be asking for an ultra sound to check out the characteristics of the nodule.
You should also request a thyroglobulin (TG) test, but be aware that if you have Thyroglobulin antibodies (TGab), you could get a false reading on a TG test.
You may have to look for different doctors in order to get adequate testing/treatment.
If an upper GI showed that things are getting stuck in your throat, you may have more than one problem. There's a ring in your throat, called a Schatzki ring, which sometimes closes up and causes food to get stuck. If this happens, they have to go in and stretch that ring; done via endoscopy. My husband has had this done twice and I think needs to have it done again. When he tries to swallow, food just won't go down. He has to take smaller bites and chew better in order to get the food down. Often he has to drink large amounts of water to get the food to pass on down.
The cold, no energy and dry skin are thyroid symptoms, but can be caused by other things, as well. Many of us have the throat clicking; it's almost always nothing to worry about, because it's just the soft palate and tongue shifting. Verify that with your doctor.
You need the Free T3 and Free T4 tests in order to know what's happening with your thyroid.
Do you know if you have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis? If not, you need to be tested for thyroid antibodies, which are Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPOab) and Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TGab). Thyroid nodules are very common with Hashimoto's and usually, they are nothing to worry about; however, since you do have a history of thyroid cancer, I'd be asking for an ultra sound to check out the characteristics of the nodule.
You should also request a thyroglobulin (TG) test, but be aware that if you have Thyroglobulin antibodies (TGab), you could get a false reading on a TG test.
You may have to look for different doctors in order to get adequate testing/treatment.
You might have your Total T4 and Free T3 checked. I'm assuming you are not on thyroid medication?
Thanks for answering. The 4mm is nodule on the right side thyroid, which I was under the impression was removed back in 1986. Now it seems only the left side was removed. The doctor has only run TSH levels on me. The one from April was 1.7 the range is .35-5.5. I have often stated I don't feel right. Back in November symptoms became more consistent. Symptoms-cold all the time, tired, no energy, constipated, clicking in my throat, dry skin, tongue is swollen. At times it feels like I am being choked. I feel like they are putting me through tests except for thyroid. Upper GI showed things get stuck-ruled out reflux. Three weeks ago I was hospitalized for what appeared to be a stroke. Ruled out called it a complex migraine. Now I will go for an endoscopy and a colonscopy
COMMUNITY LEADER
What is the 4 mm lump? Is it a nodule on your thyroid? 4 mm is too small to biopsy, but I'd think they'd be running some other tests, since you have a history of thyroid cancer.
What symptoms of thyroid disease are you having, other than the nodule/lump? Have you had thyroid hormone tests done? If please post the results, with reference ranges, which vary lab to lab and have to come from your own report.
What symptoms of thyroid disease are you having, other than the nodule/lump? Have you had thyroid hormone tests done? If please post the results, with reference ranges, which vary lab to lab and have to come from your own report.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Thyroid Disorders Community
We tapped the CDC for information on what you need to know about radiation exposure
Endocrinologist Mark Lupo, MD, answers 10 questions about thyroid disorders and how to treat them
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
