I have nodules - I have had them come and go - they are very common!! Most people have them and don't even know it. When they do autospies 50% of the people have then. 95% are benign. The nuclear scan is to show if it is hot or cold - ie producing hormones or not. If it is a hormone producing nodule and your T3 is too high - then they usually either administer RAI to kill it or surgicially remove it. If it's not producing hormone then they may do an FNA if over 1 cm (under that they will monitor it). The FNA will determine if there are any cancerous cells. I have had this done and it was non-diagnosatic - ie they couldn't tell - so it's wait 6 months and try again. But chances are it's benign as I do have Hashimoto's and they did find evidence of Hashimoto's cells, benign cells, inflammed cells, and follicular cells, but no clear cut cancer cells, but not enough of anything to say definately one way or another, so they said nothing basically.
Most nodules are no big deal - they only get to be a concern if they grow to a size where they interfer with swallowing or breathing, or producing too much hormone, or in the rare event are cancerous.
Mine they are monitoring right now is solid and slow growing .8cm to 1.3 cm the last six months, but so far not interferring with anything. So it's wait and see.
If you have anyother questions, I'll be happy to answer what I can. Also a good place for answers is the about.com thyroid forums if you haven't been there yet. I'm Texgirl on that board.
MJ
-----Original Message-----
From: IrisMom <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Feb 18, 2004 5:58 PM
To: Pituitary Chat <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: Enlarged thyroid w/non-functioning
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Enlarged thyroid w/non-functioning
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| From: IrisMom |
Hiya,
Well the ultrasound came back with 2 small solid nodules on the right side of my thyroid. Somewhere between the size of a pea but closer to a marble. I can see a little enlargement but it's not bothering me at all.
So far all I have read, I am not freaking like I did with my pit tumor. I guess I am building up a tolerance. I go for a nuclear scan soon and go from there. It's all in God's hands anyways. I do have a sneaky feeling that I need more bloodwork done so I am just going to go with the flow right now.
If anyone has insight on the nodule thing, please e-mail me and tell me your story.
All the best!
Carmen | |
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