Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and a nodule

[jfoofj]

I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and my primary care Dr has been following me and managing it for years... I have needed a few increases in my dosage of Levoxyl over the years (I am currently on 137mcg) but for the most part, pretty straightforward stuff. Lately I have really been feeling crappy..... weight gain (ok, I do eat stuff I shouldn't and don't excerise as much as I should), tired all the time (I work nights), sluggish, just general yuck. I went to my Drs to see if my TSH was off again (don't have the results as of yet) and I told the Dr I have been feeling something... don't know how to describe it, but there just feels like there is something THERE in my neck in my thyroid area. Also, I have had a few episodes of a spasmy feeling when swallowing. Not choking, and not pain, just a weird "full" feeling in my throat when swallowing and then a spasm, then I'm fine. SO, she palpates my thyroid and says she feels a nodule and wants me to see an endocrinologist. I have an appt Thursday, so I don't have to wait long, and I Googled the heck out of this and I feel pretty confident I'm not dying (I am a bit of a hypochondriac at times) but I was wondering if anyone has had a similar experience and how it turned out, and what was done for you.

TIA,
Jfoofj

 

[MIGrandma]

In May 2003 I had surgery on my thyroid to remove part of the right lobe and the isthmus because of nodules (benign).

A couple years later more nodules were felt and I almost cried thinking I'd have to have surgery again. But I went to a different surgeon (the one who had done my surgery was no longer there) and he sent me for a fine needle biopsy and again the nodules were benign so he said we'd just "watch them." I had an ultrasound a couple of years ago and they had not changed. I had another ultrasound just last month, and again they have not changed so he said I can go 5 years before the next ultrasound now.

The surgery wasn't bad, I did have to stay overnight. But there was very little, almost none actually, pain from it. Unfortunately my scar didn't heal well so it's still visible even 7 years later, although somewhat faded but still raised in spots so that bothers me but not much I can do about it.

Good luck to you, I hope all goes well for you. Try not to worry, but I know it's hard not to.

 

[FormrCastMbr]

I have Graves disease and many thyroid nodules (probably 8 - 10). I am on meds and have to go the endocrinologist every 2 - 3 months and go for an unltrasound once a year.

Depending on what they see in the ultrasound, I have to go for biopsies. I have been for 2 biopsies and everything came back OK.

My nodules are pretty big and you can actually see them (only when I point them out to people) and sometimes I can actually feel them when I swallow. This is normal. If they get bigger and really cause problems, I will have my thyroid removed.

I think I am starting to babble. You will be fine. See the endo and go from there. Thyroid problems are very common and very treatable.

Best wishes.