The THYROID Thread

[luvmarypoppins]

So I went to the scan this morning and the tech said "So this will be your first clear scan and they like you to have 3 so we'll see you two more times..." and I am taking it that that means it was clear in her opinion at least.

Looking back at this thread (It makes for a great record!) It looks like my results for thyroglobulin have taken anywhere from 3 days to a couple of weeks. When they draw the blood tomorrow I'm going to ask when they think it will be back cause I am ready for some cheese and bacon!

I am sure the waiting must be killing you. It just seems like they do stuff so much more differently by you. I also cant believe the tech would say something like that to you.

I guess because I get the scan done right at the univ. hosp, I just then go right down to rad. onc. and the rad. onc. gives me my results. Oh and my 2010 scan number was 1.00. She didnt give me the number this time as usual.
Last year I also had the blood draw and I think it was less than a week for the results but I did not stay on the diet. My rad. onc. lets you go off but says if its not a good test, then back on the diet and rai etc.

I did look up my 2010 scan and it was 1-131. I think that is all they use here.

My rad. onc. says 2 clean scans and then one at 5 years unless the blood tests are not good.

Christine -do you know if anyone refuses to get a follow up scan if their blood tests are always normal etc. I know I am not looking forward to it again, but know it must be done. I read on thy ca. some people state their drs. say the blood test is just fine and want to cut down anymore radiation exposure etc.

Micayla - my thoughts and prayers are with you. Wishing you all the best. Hang in there!! You are doing a great job!!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Hi there,
I took your advice and requested copies of the last 2 years lab results and made an appointment to see a new doctor. Surprisingly I was able to get right in. Only the TSH has been tested the last two times.

The new physician took time to chat with me and tested the T3 and T4 and increased my Synthroid from 100mcg to 112mcg. Also told me not to take the generic.

He also ordered an ultrasound of the thyroid using a DX of multinodular goiter, hypothyroidism. He didn't mention anything about "feeling" nodules or anything but said that since I had never had a scan of the thyroid before he wanted to see one. Surprisingly I was able to get an appointment for that right away tomorrow morning.

I return to the doctor in 4 weeks.

Thanks for the support!!

Sounds like this new dr. is on top of things with your case. Best wishes with the ultrasound tomm. Keep us informed. I also take the name brand synthroid and not the generic.

 

[mrsklamc]

I am sure the waiting must be killing you. It just seems like they do stuff so much more differently by you. I also cant believe the tech would say something like that to you.

The tech last time did worse- he said "I can tell you right now that it's clear and you can go off the diet and back on your meds."Except then the blood wasn't clear and I had to diet & go hypo all over again.

I'm really coping so much better on the diet this time....but I would LOVE some cheese. Currently though I'm really enjoying celery w/ unsalted PB & topped w/ craisins.

 

[mrsklamc]

Bloodwork this AM. I am a little nervous because I like to specify to the person doing the data entry that it is thyroglobulin LEVEL and not antibodies that I need to know. I'm not even sure why they test for antibodies. Anyway, I specified to the girl that drew the blood that I needed it and she asked someone else and she said that the level would be included. (Lab slip said thyroglobulin w a/b.)

She also didn't know when it would be back, or whether if it would be ready for their courier to pick up at 10:30 (the draw was about 10:00.)

The diet really isn't even bothering me that much (don't get me wrong I am certainly ready to splurge) but I am just ready to be DONE with this!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Bloodwork this AM. I am a little nervous because I like to specify to the person doing the data entry that it is thyroglobulin LEVEL and not antibodies that I need to know. I'm not even sure why they test for antibodies. Anyway, I specified to the girl that drew the blood that I needed it and she asked someone else and she said that the level would be included. (Lab slip said thyroglobulin w a/b.)

She also didn't know when it would be back, or whether if it would be ready for their courier to pick up at 10:30 (the draw was about 10:00.)

The diet really isn't even bothering me that much (don't get me wrong I am certainly ready to splurge) but I am just ready to be DONE with this!

I dont blame you, I think I said the same thing to the Quest lab tech. I said, something like my cancer life is counting on this etc. I made sure it was all right. They make you look at it all and sign it here. My draw was on a Friday and they called on a Wed. I think. Maybe tues. I am not sure.My endo dept. has a dedicated account with them, so I dont know if that means you get the results faster? Honestly dont know.

Oh and a side note on me - I called today and made an appt. with the opthamalogist whom my endo told me to go to. Gosh, at the univ. here there is a list of like 13 doctors in the dept. One of this ones specialties is thyroid eye disease, so I am going to be happy knowing she has a lot of experience in this. I still have to wait till sept. 13th. They originally gave me a date of Oct. 3rd or 5th. My eye is constantly tearing etc. Its so bothersome and annoying. I think she will be able to determine if the RAI affected it an any way.

 

[ElizK]

Hoping ya'll can help me. I have often found you to be a wealth of information!

I was diagnosed as hypothyroid about 3-4 years ago. An ultrasound showed two tiny nodules, too, which I have re-scanned every year.

Yesterday, my thyroid started aching, if that makes sense. It hurts more on the right side, which is where the nodules are. My husband said that my thyroid looked uneven, the right side being a little larger than the left. I couldn't really see it, but I didn't tell him that one side hurt more than the other.

What the heck could be causing this??? It's really annoying! I'm not sure when my next scan is... or when my next blood test is, either, for that matter. I've got a $3000.00 deductible, so if I can avoid a trip to the doctor that would great!

Thank you for your help!

 

[mrsklamc]

Unfortunately there are many things it could be, but no way to tell without seeing a doctor.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Hoping ya'll can help me. I have often found you to be a wealth of information!

I was diagnosed as hypothyroid about 3-4 years ago. An ultrasound showed two tiny nodules, too, which I have re-scanned every year.

Yesterday, my thyroid started aching, if that makes sense. It hurts more on the right side, which is where the nodules are. My husband said that my thyroid looked uneven, the right side being a little larger than the left. I couldn't really see it, but I didn't tell him that one side hurt more than the other.

What the heck could be causing this??? It's really annoying! I'm not sure when my next scan is... or when my next blood test is, either, for that matter. I've got a $3000.00 deductible, so if I can avoid a trip to the doctor that would great!

Thank you for your help!

I would see a dr. too. I am sure there are also financial considerations but your health is really important. Maybe your dr. can do the tests that are the best indicators of what could be happening while taking the financial situation into consideration as well. I wouldnt wait though. Wishing you all the best.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Micayla - Hopng you get some good news soon.

And if there is anyone here that was affected by Hurricaine Irene, hope you are safe.

Well we have survived the hurricaine. My dh got the last flight from chicago to conneticut as all the ny airports were closed. He had to rent a car then and drive back. This was after flying 14 hours from beijing to chicago.

We lost power for over 24 hours. I think if I was doing the diet then it would have been a nightmare, not being able to cook etc.

Oh and they cancelled my endo visit again for the 3rd time. I will call in a week or so as many people still do not have electricity around here at home and are not in the best of moods etc. This will be the 3rd time they are making me get another appt. This is frustrating.

Worse, I am feeling so, so tired. I feel like taking a nap right now. I know I cant have the new blood test until sept. 17th or a little later. I am assuming it will show if I am too hypo and need the meds upped again etc.

 

[mrsklamc]

So Dr. just called and said that scan showed a small amount of uptake in the left neck but they can't tell if it is cancer or a saliva gland. The blood test was less than 0.5 so she says chances are slim to none that it's cancer but she wants to do an ultrasound just to be sure. Ultrasound is not scheduled yet.

 

[Christine]

So Dr. just called and said that scan showed a small amount of uptake in the left neck but they can't tell if it is cancer or a saliva gland. The blood test was less than 0.5 so she says chances are slim to none that it's cancer but she wants to do an ultrasound just to be sure. Ultrasound is not scheduled yet.

Well, that's not PERFECT news, but pretty good. Sorry you can't get a quick ending to things. That's how the first several scans were for me. One day, it's going to be easy. I promise.

 

[mrsklamc]

Well, that's not PERFECT news, but pretty good. Sorry you can't get a quick ending to things. That's how the first several scans were for me. One day, it's going to be easy. I promise.

I know she just wants to be REALLY sure. And honestly it just makes this SO much more tolerable when you aren't hypo. It's too bad the thyrogen doesn't agree with you.

 

[ElizK]

Unfortunately there are many things it could be, but no way to tell without seeing a doctor.

I would see a dr. too. I am sure there are also financial considerations but your health is really important. Maybe your dr. can do the tests that are the best indicators of what could be happening while taking the financial situation into consideration as well. I wouldnt wait though. Wishing you all the best.

Thanks to both of you. Seems to have gone away after about 3 days, so I'm going to continue to ignore it! I'd make a great ostrich.

 

[mrsklamc]

Thanks to both of you. Seems to have gone away after about 3 days, so I'm going to continue to ignore it! I'd make a great ostrich.

I do hope you will reconsider. If it is something bad, time is of the essence. It may make the difference between, say, cancer that is confined to your thyroid or has entered your lymphatic system and begun spreading through your body.

I am not trying to scare you but the danger is very real. I know $3000 is a lot but your life is priceless!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

So Dr. just called and said that scan showed a small amount of uptake in the left neck but they can't tell if it is cancer or a saliva gland. The blood test was less than 0.5 so she says chances are slim to none that it's cancer but she wants to do an ultrasound just to be sure. Ultrasound is not scheduled yet.

Sorry you couldnt just be over and done with this. Kind of like its always dragging on for you. But you are so tough and have lots of strength with all you have been through. I like that the blood test was good.

My rad. onc. says she goes more by the blood test than by the scan anyway.

Its good your dr. is thorough and leaves no stone unturned.

Did they tell you your actual scan number. My one was 1.00 and the radiation onc. said she thought it could be a salivary gland shadow. My report said 0.5 is the acceptable scan level.

Are you still on the diet? I hope they get the sono scheduled quickly. And seeing that your dr. ordered the sono I am glad that I still insisted my endo keep doing mine every 6 months. She wanted to cut it to once a year with twice a year blood tests. I figure if one has a different number or view etc. then I will still have all my bases covered.

Wishing you all the best. Hang in there!! My thoughts and prayers are with you.

 

[mrsklamc]

I am still on the diet just because I don't want to have to start over if they decide they're going to dose me again. It's not as bad as when I was hypo because I'm actually losing weight and I'm not emotional from being hypo. Plus, when I was hypo I wasn't working so I had little to do besides sit at home & think about all the food I couldn't eat. I am hopeful b/c of the blood test. They have not ever told me a # from a scan.

Ultrasound is scheduled at 9:10 in the morning. I don't know if they will tell me results right away or not.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

I am still on the diet just because I don't want to have to start over if they decide they're going to dose me again. It's not as bad as when I was hypo because I'm actually losing weight and I'm not emotional from being hypo. Plus, when I was hypo I wasn't working so I had little to do besides sit at home & think about all the food I couldn't eat. I am hopeful b/c of the blood test. They have not ever told me a # from a scan.

Ultrasound is scheduled at 9:10 in the morning. I don't know if they will tell me results right away or not.

Well I am so happy you are getting the sono tomm. My endo gets my results first since she ordered it.

I think its a good sign if they say ok you can go after the sono versus taking more pics. I always have mine done either right in the hosp or the hospitals imaging center in another building. They always say they show it to the radiologist and then they let me go etc. My endo either calls me or waits if she sees I have an appt. very soon as I always have it done a week before my appt.

Wishing you all the best tomm.

A little OT: Havent seen Jenn posting anything. Hope she has electric after the storm.

 

[mrsklamc]

Person who did the ultrasound said she "doesn't think the doctors will see anything that displeases them."

She also said she knew for sure that the endo wouldn't get back to me until the first of next week, and I was doing way better with that information prior to realizing that Monday's a holiday, so it will be Tuesday probably at the earliest.

I'm on day 23 of the diet today.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Person who did the ultrasound said she "doesn't think the doctors will see anything that displeases them."

She also said she knew for sure that the endo wouldn't get back to me until the first of next week, and I was doing way better with that information prior to realizing that Monday's a holiday, so it will be Tuesday probably at the earliest.

I'm on day 23 of the diet today.

Can I honestly ask how are you doing this and putting up with this???? I cant believe they are making you go through this. How can your endo make you wait like this??? I know any radiologist can read something if its STAT etc.

I know you love your endo but I think she is just making you go through too much diet wise.

That is why I even told that guy who posted on this thread once that he should get his testing done at the hosp. here bt me because any dr. (my endo or radiologist or surgeon) can pull this stuff up immediately.

I would be on that phone asap and calling your endo office asking for the results so you could go off the diet etc. Even if they say she is not available doesnt she have a pager etc?

You have the patience of Job for sure!! I think I would have lost it by now.
We can even write a complaint e mail to the hospital director and they will get back to us.

Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and I am gonna pray really hard for you!! Hang in there!!

 

[mrsklamc]

Thanks for the prayers- I think it's just different here because things aren't done all at one facility. The radiologists have their own practice, separate from the imaging center. So it has to make it from the imaging center, over to the radiologist, and then over to my doctor's office, who is only in 3 days a week.

As for how I'm handling it- well, I'm only at about 1/2 way through what I had to go through last year, and I was hypo last year! Plus, I am losing weight on the LID and I have really struggled to lose weight otherwise.

The Dr is not in tomorrow but her assistant is until noon, and I know she has called me on Friday mornings before, and I know that even though the Dr. is not technically 'in' on Fridays her assistant can reach her, so I am still hopeful that she will call me tomorrow morning with some info.