The THYROID Thread

[Minerva Mouse]

Do you have a goiter (enlarged gland) or a nodule? Goiters, themselves, aren't usually a big deal; however, nodules represent a different issue. So I was wondering exactly what you do have (nodule(s) or goiter).

I would say that your next step with be a biopsy of the suspicious area. The fact that your grandmother had thyroid cancer would have me doing that. Not that *most* thyroid cancers are considered hereditary--they are not; however, there is something to it if others in the family have had it.

Hopefully being on meds, at least, is going to make you feel better over time. Did they tell you what your TSH levels were?

My lab paperwork said Goiter. When we did the original blood work, in May, my levels were around 6.5 and honestly I'm not sure I even know what that means. I had new blood work done today (before I got the phone call that it was still growing) so I should know in a week or so, where I stand today.

I believe your right thought, my next course of action will probably be a biopsy.

I feel like information on the internet is confusing, like I'm not even sure what my symptoms are. Whats normal? Whats not normal? I don't know how long my thyroid has been an issue. What I do know is;

1. Yes, I'm overweight, but I LOVE FOOD. So I can't just say "it's my thyroid" because I defiantly over eat, and I don't make healthy meal decisions. I have high cholesterol and high triglycerides (so I'm not sure if this from my weight or my thyroid). I've been over weight since I was a child.

2. I've had issues with depression and I've felt "tired" for years. I'm always tired and or lethargic. (again, weight or thyroid) When I lay down at night, I'm usually out cold in less than 5 minutes.

3. I also have issues with anxiety, they began about 3 years ago. My throat often felt like it was swelling shut, like I couldn't breath, but really, I could breath just fine. For months, I thought it was heartburn. I later realized it was, or is, from stress and anxiety.

4. Muscle Aches and stiffness, always. I've had had carpel tunnel and planter fasciitis for about 10 years.

5. Thinning hair? I don't know, my hair dresser says I have thin hair, but that I have a lot of it. I honestly don't remember how long my hair has been like this.

6. I'm always hot, I keep the house at like 68 degrees, and I turn into a puddle of sloppy wet stickyness when the temperature is over 71. (but again, weight or thyroid)

 

[Christine]

My lab paperwork said Goiter. When we did the original blood work, in May, my levels were around 6.5 and honestly I'm not sure I even know what that means. I had new blood work done today (before I got the phone call that it was still growing) so I should know in a week or so, where I stand today.

Okay, so that tells me that your doctor doesn't really know whether you just have an enlarged thyroid or one with a nodule. But they always have to put a diagnosis on the lab order form. A TSH of 6.5 puts you into hypothyroidism. Not severe but definitely something that should be treated. Ideally (without cancer), you'd want to have a TSH of between 1.0 and 2.0. You don't have a total failure of the gland though. That will give you TSH numbers in the double or triple digits.

1. Yes, I'm overweight, but I LOVE FOOD. So I can't just say "it's my thyroid" because I defiantly over eat, and I don't make healthy meal decisions. I have high cholesterol and high triglycerides (so I'm not sure if this from my weight or my thyroid). I've been over weight since I was a child.

Hey, I give you PROPS for being so self-aware! Not many people can admit that they know they eat too much. I have a hard time with it myself. Once I decided to log everything I was eating into Sparkpeople because I felt like I had cut back on my eating quite a bit and was still not losing weight. Well, guess what? The cut back version still had me eating about 2500 calories a day! Everyone is different with their metabolism. I have been SEVERELY hypothyroid at times during my thyroid cancer treatments and the most I ever put on due to hypothyroidism was about 10 lbs. If I truly watch what I eat and exercise, I can lose weight. Although, since I am almost 50 it is getting more difficult. The high cholesterol is more often than not, hereditary and you can impact a slight bit with food choices. The high triglycerides are an indication of too many carbs in the diet.

2. I've had issues with depression and I've felt "tired" for years. I'm always tired and or lethargic. (again, weight or thyroid) When I lay down at night, I'm usually out cold in less than 5 minutes.

Being tired and lethargic is certainly a sign of hypothyroidism but, as you said, it is a sign of being overweight too. I notice that the most for me. It is also a sign of low iron or low Vitamin D. The interesting thing for me was that when I was hypothyroid, I was often very sluggish and lacked motivation, yet, I didn't sleep well. The fact that you are "out cold" in less than 5 minutes--that's actually a good sign. If you sleep well through the night, it is also good. Being hypothyroid can definitely mess with your sleep patterns.

3. I also have issues with anxiety, they began about 3 years ago. My throat often felt like it was swelling shut, like I couldn't breath, but really, I could breath just fine. For months, I thought it was heartburn. I later realized it was, or is, from stress and anxiety.

Welcome to the club. I've had anxiety most of my life. It did get worse for me after the thyroid cancer. I think that synthetic thyroid replacement just doesn't work as well for me as my own. This summer, due to a recall of my thyroid meds, I had to change brands and my anxiety was through the roof. I've changed to yet another brand and I seem to be doing a lot better. I will say that I do have GERD/Reflux and when it acts up, I definitely get a panicky feeling and a racing heart. My gastro said that's very common. So, don't rule that out.

5. Thinning hair? I don't know, my hair dresser says I have thin hair, but that I have a lot of it. I honestly don't remember how long my hair has been like this.

Thinning hair is different than thin hair. I also have thin hair but (thank God) tons of it. The question is, is it getting sparse. Can you see your scalp more easily (i.e., are you losing your hair)?

6. I'm always hot, I keep the house at like 68 degrees, and I turn into a puddle of sloppy wet stickyness when the temperature is over 71. (but again, weight or thyroid)

Definitely not thyroid (unless you are OVERactive). Probaby just you!

 

[Minerva Mouse]

Thanks Christine, and Happy Turkey Day.

How long have you been dealing with your Thyroid? I'm 38, so I guess I have a long road ahead of me.

I have been loosing A LOT of hair lately, but it's also a symptom of the medicine I'm on for my triglycerides. So again, I'm not sure which is the cause they thyroid, or the medicine. I don't think I've ever been normal, lol.

 

[Christine]

Thanks Christine, and Happy Turkey Day.

How long have you been dealing with your Thyroid? I'm 38, so I guess I have a long road ahead of me.

I have been loosing A LOT of hair lately, but it's also a symptom of the medicine I'm on for my triglycerides. So again, I'm not sure which is the cause they thyroid, or the medicine. I don't think I've ever been normal, lol.

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

My thyroid gland was PERFECT until I was 31 and was diagnosed with cancer. Then I had to have it removed. So, I guess it's going on 19 years now. I've been mostly problem free; however, there's been a few times that things were just a mess. Mainly in the beginning or when I was adjusting to meds. It's been pretty quiet for years. Then Levoxyl was recalled and I've been on three synthetic T4 meds since and I've had one of the worst time periods of my life (lots of other things going on too but this did NOT help). I hope I'm on my way to some sort of normalcy.

 

[Nora03]

Hi,
I'm new here. I just discovered this thread. It looks like thyroid issues must be common. I've only read the first and last few pages.

I noticed that my thyroid was enlarged one day and went to my doctor, who sent me for an ultrasound. Eight weeks later the results say that my thyroid is "multi-nodular" and "looks suspicious". Now I'm waiting for an appointment for a fine needle biopsy to see what it is.

I live in Canada, and while we have a good health care system that is "free" - no doctor's charges, test charges, or hospital charges, we have to WAIT! for everything. The ultrasound waiting period was seven weeks and another week to get the results. Now I'm waiting to get an appointment for the biopsy. It is frustrating, especially since I don't know what's going on.

Do you have to wait for everything in the U.S.?

I had an enlarged thyroid about 20 years ago and all the tests were inconclusive, so the doctor put me on medication for a year and the thyroid returned to normal. I'm hoping for the same thing this time, but "multi-nodular" and "looks suspicious" doesn't sound good. My bloodwork showed nothing abnormal. Any advice here?

I feel fine, except for a problem with my digestive system which has been acting up this year. I have high blood pressure, under control, and a hiatus hernia, which I think is causing my digestive problem. And, I am overweight

Thanks, Nora

 

[Christine]

Hi Nora,

Sometimes we do have waits here in the U.S., but mainly to see specialists.

For instance, to get a new patient appointment with a well-regarding endocrinologist, it can take 3-6 months. Once in, though, if you were to need an ultrasound, you can book that within the week. In the U.S., diagnostic equipment (MRIs, scans, ultrasound) is readily available.

My friend has been going through some thyroid issues and it took her about 3 weeks to get an appointment at the thyroid center at the Washington Hospital Center (that's all that look at, all day long). She got in with a relatively "new" endo. It took about 2 weeks to get that radiology appt. scheduled. Another 2 weeks to get in with the surgeon. It all happened kind of quickly, in my opinion, but in this case, they all work as a team together and I think that helps. Had she had to book at separate places, it would have taken longer.

An ultrasound can't diagnose nodules, either benign or cancercous. I suppose it can distinguish certain features of your nodules that lean in the direction of not being favorable; however, I don't think anyone has been every really diagnosed as one way or another on an ultrasound. So, yes, I would say that a fine needle biopsy is in your future. Even then, though, it's very tough to get a clean bill of health out of them, unfortunately. It's really, really hard to get a "benign" reading out of them. Then it's between you and your doctor and all the test results (if you get an indeterminate biopsy) to decide to wait or to proceed.

Hi,
I'm new here. I just discovered this thread. It looks like thyroid issues must be common. I've only read the first and last few pages.

I noticed that my thyroid was enlarged one day and went to my doctor, who sent me for an ultrasound. Eight weeks later the results say that my thyroid is "multi-nodular" and "looks suspicious". Now I'm waiting for an appointment for a fine needle biopsy to see what it is.

I live in Canada, and while we have a good health care system that is "free" - no doctor's charges, test charges, or hospital charges, we have to WAIT! for everything. The ultrasound waiting period was seven weeks and another week to get the results. Now I'm waiting to get an appointment for the biopsy. It is frustrating, especially since I don't know what's going on.

Do you have to wait for everything in the U.S.?

I had an enlarged thyroid about 20 years ago and all the tests were inconclusive, so the doctor put me on medication for a year and the thyroid returned to normal. I'm hoping for the same thing this time, but "multi-nodular" and "looks suspicious" doesn't sound good. My bloodwork showed nothing abnormal. Any advice here?

I feel fine, except for a problem with my digestive system which has been acting up this year. I have high blood pressure, under control, and a hiatus hernia, which I think is causing my digestive problem. And, I am overweight

Thanks, Nora

 

[Minerva Mouse]

Hi,
I'm new here. I just discovered this thread. It looks like thyroid issues must be common. I've only read the first and last few pages.

I noticed that my thyroid was enlarged one day and went to my doctor, who sent me for an ultrasound. Eight weeks later the results say that my thyroid is "multi-nodular" and "looks suspicious". Now I'm waiting for an appointment for a fine needle biopsy to see what it is.

I live in Canada, and while we have a good health care system that is "free" - no doctor's charges, test charges, or hospital charges, we have to WAIT! for everything. The ultrasound waiting period was seven weeks and another week to get the results. Now I'm waiting to get an appointment for the biopsy. It is frustrating, especially since I don't know what's going on.

Do you have to wait for everything in the U.S.?

I had an enlarged thyroid about 20 years ago and all the tests were inconclusive, so the doctor put me on medication for a year and the thyroid returned to normal. I'm hoping for the same thing this time, but "multi-nodular" and "looks suspicious" doesn't sound good. My bloodwork showed nothing abnormal. Any advice here?

I feel fine, except for a problem with my digestive system which has been acting up this year. I have high blood pressure, under control, and a hiatus hernia, which I think is causing my digestive problem. And, I am overweight

Thanks, Nora

Hi Nora

I'm new to all this too, and it looks like we're both waiting for the next step of tests.

 

[Minerva Mouse]

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

My thyroid gland was PERFECT until I was 31 and was diagnosed with cancer. Then I had to have it removed. So, I guess it's going on 19 years now. I've been mostly problem free; however, there's been a few times that things were just a mess. Mainly in the beginning or when I was adjusting to meds. It's been pretty quiet for years. Then Levoxyl was recalled and I've been on three synthetic T4 meds since and I've had one of the worst time periods of my life (lots of other things going on too but this did NOT help). I hope I'm on my way to some sort of normalcy.

Thanks Christine,

You've been a lot of help. From what I've been told, if your going to get cancer, thyroid cancer is the one to get. But it really sucks that anyone has to go thru this.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

3 Disneybuggs - That is wonderful news, congrats!

Nora03 - Welcome but sorry you have to be here. I am sure its so frustrating that you have to wait. I know on the breast cancer thread the one gal said that is just the system there and I think once her regular dr. did call and try to push things up for her.

I found that is what happens here to make things go faster. Also I ask to be put on a cancellation list so if anyone cancels they will call you to take that spot etc. Dont know if you can do that in Can.?

Yes as christine said good specialists you really have to wait here and are sometimes impossible to see like heads of depts. at univ. hospitals. I have never seen one of them but do get to see some pretty good drs. in the dept.

I have also seen unfortunately that the sicker you are, as was my case, the early you get to get into see the drs.

Wishing you all the best and great test results.

Minerva Mouse - sorry you are dealing with all of this too and I hope you have great test results. Its good that you are aware of all your symptoms etc. I told my first reg. dr. all my symptoms and somehow he coudnt put all the pieces together of the puzzle so to speak.

Singing Mom - I m sure you are looking forward to your trip next month too. I love the swan/dolphin location. I tried to get a room at the Swan this time but no luck with dh ff miles because its the baseball winter meetings and they are booking both places like crazy. We were there once before when those were going on and it was a zoo. Live espn tv in the lobby etc. At Shula's dh and I were having dinner next to Hank Aaron. Awesome!

Christine - hope the synthroid is helping. Are you taking the name brand of it? I do.

Micayla - how are things going? Miss you posting and hope you and the baby and your mil are doing well too.

Cant believe tomm. we will be in disney eating at chefs, watching the osborne lights, illuminations and having a fastpass to toy story, thank you magic bands. And that is only the first afternoon/night.

Well one more load of laundry to do and that will be ready to pack. Dh is in Boston so his suitcase is packed except for some more socks.

The weather is suppose to be really good so I cant wait! Hopefully we can get in some swim time too.

 

[SingingMom]

Luvmarypoppins: have a supercalfrajalisticexpealadocious trip!!!!

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Nora03]

Thanks all, for your welcome and advice. I plan to see my doctor in the next week to get a prescription refill so I'll let him know that I haven't got an appointment yet. Maybe he can see what's going on. I'll let you know what happens and when I get my appointment, and results.

I forgot to mention that my sister, my only sibling, had to have her thyroid removed in her twenties, but that was a long time ago. If I remember right it was considered "pre-cancerous" so I suppose there were suspicious cells. She passed away four years ago from breast cancer.

Luvmarypoppins, hope you have a wonderful trip. Do you write trip reports, or will you let us know how your trip was? I'm reading so much about Magic Bands and have lots of questions. We haven't planned our 2014 trip yet, and maybe it's good that we haven't. I'll wait to see what is happening on the health front first. We are considering staying off site next time and wonder if/when offsite people will get magic bands. I can't seem to find out the answer to that.

Nora

 

[Minerva Mouse]

I forgot to mention that my sister, my only sibling, had to have her thyroid removed in her twenties, but that was a long time ago. If I remember right it was considered "pre-cancerous" so I suppose there were suspicious cells. She passed away four years ago from breast cancer.
Nora

Oh Nora, I'm so sorry to hear about your sister. I can't imagine what that's been like.

 

[Minerva Mouse]

I now have the results of my most recent ultrasound and blood test.

My TSH levels are at 5.77

My thyroid ultrasonography reads:

The right lobe measures 5.1 x 2.1 x 1.7 cm. The left lobe measures 5.2 x 2.1 x 2.2 cm. The isthmus measures .04 cm in AP dimension. The gland is heterogeneous in echotexture. There is a comlex nodule in the superior pole of the right lobe measuring 6.0 x 6.0 x 6.0 mm. The second nodule is seen in the upper pole of the left lobe measuring 1.7 x 1.3 x .09 cm. There is mild increased parenchymal vascularity.

Enlarged heterogeneous, slighlty vascular thyroid gland with two definable nodules in the upper poles. The larges one is on the left side and appears to have slightly increased since the previous examination. It previously measured 1.3 x 1.1 cm and now measures 1.7 x 1.3 x .09 cm.

So I do have two nodules.

 

[Christine]

I now have the results of my most recent ultrasound and blood test.

My TSH levels are at 5.77

My thyroid ultrasonography reads:

The right lobe measures 5.1 x 2.1 x 1.7 cm. The left lobe measures 5.2 x 2.1 x 2.2 cm. The isthmus measures .04 cm in AP dimension. The gland is heterogeneous in echotexture. There is a comlex nodule in the superior pole of the right lobe measuring 6.0 x 6.0 x 6.0 mm. The second nodule is seen in the upper pole of the left lobe measuring 1.7 x 1.3 x .09 cm. There is mild increased parenchymal vascularity.

Enlarged heterogeneous, slighlty vascular thyroid gland with two definable nodules in the upper poles. The larges one is on the left side and appears to have slightly increased since the previous examination. It previously measured 1.3 x 1.1 cm and now measures 1.7 x 1.3 x .09 cm.

So I do have two nodules.

Interesting. I think that vascularity in a nodule is a sign that they need to watch it more carefully.

 

[Minerva Mouse]

I finally called the endocrinologist today. I have an appointment scheduled for Friday December 20th.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Having a great time here at the Beach Club. Its in the low 80's, swam yest, went to MVMCP tonight. love the decorations. Ate dinner at Be Our Guest again

So nice not to think of drs, and thy ca for a while. This is my happy place
Just having fun with dh aka my Prince Charming!

 

[desamnik]

I was diagnosed w/ this in July. Been having some issues that I'm not sure are related to that>

This board seems to be centered around only thyroid cancer. So I may be posting this in the wrong forum not sure...

THX

 

[mrsklamc]

I was diagnosed w/ this in July. Been having some issues that I'm not sure are related to that>

This board seems to be centered around only thyroid cancer. So I may be posting this in the wrong forum not sure...

THX

Oh, no, there are probably more of us with cancer but there are some folks with Hashimotos as well. You're very welcome here!

 

[Christine]

I was diagnosed w/ this in July. Been having some issues that I'm not sure are related to that>

This board seems to be centered around only thyroid cancer. So I may be posting this in the wrong forum not sure...

THX

Yes, you are certainly welcome here. The people with the most problems tend to be the loudest so that makes us cancer folks big posters!!

The Hashimoto's folks that have posted don't generally seem to have too many issues so they don't stick around. While us cancer posters don't have the exact same issues as those with Hashimoto's, we've spent a good amount of time on the hypo/hyper rollercoaster so we may be able to give you some insight into things.

 

[angwill]

Wow I am actually getting some messages from this thread again. lol Sorry I have been MIA.

For the person with Hoshimoto's I have had it for many years and been hypothyroid since I was in my mid 20's. I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer this year, about 20 years after being diagnosed with hypothyroidism, and had mine removed. I suspected Hoshimoto's but no doctor bothered to test me for it till right before they found the cancer.