Thyroid biopsy and need reassurance

[SpanielFace]

I posted a while ago about discovering a lump in my neck that turned out to be my thyroid gland. I went to the GP who suspected I was hypothyroid, took bloods, started me on 50 mcg thyroixine a day, and I started to feel better (having written off the constant fatigue & weight gain as having a 6 months old baby and eating too many biscuits).

Anyway, the GP referred me for an ultrasound, which I had about 3 weeks ago, where they found 2 nodules on the right lobe of my gland, nothing on the left. The biggest nodule is about 2.9cm, I think (I read this on the computer screen!). I was then subsequently referred to the ENT department. The consultant looked down my throat with a camera via my nose (not very pleasant) but didn't find anything to concern him, but he's referred me for an ultrasound guided biopsy of the thyroid nodules. However, he also showed me my actual blood test results (which was the first time I'd seen the actual values), and he was surprised that I was on thyroxine as my T4 and TSH were actually normal (TSH at the high end of the range). My thyroid antibodies are very high, however, so I obviously have something going on.

I'd assumed they were just investigating as a precaution, but I'm now feeling a bit twitched, because why do I have such large nodules if my gland is producing normal hormone levels? Can they just form in the early stages of thyroiditis, while your gland is still functioning normally? Is the biopsy something that they always do, as a routine? Also, I'm not sure if I'm imagining it, but I'm worried the lump is bigger than when I first noticed it - is it normal for benign thyroid nodules to grow?

It's going to be a long wait for biopsy results...... I just want someone to come and tell me that everything sounds perfectly normal with thyroiditis and that it's just completely routine for them to investigate nodules as a precaution! Anyone had similar?

Hi Spanielface, don't know anything about thyroiditis but just to say that I found a lump in my throat about a year ago, got referred urgently for an ultrasound guided biopsy. The person who did it said she wasn't sure what it was, that it wasn't symmetrical & basically made it sound like it was going to be bad news. About 2 weeks later I got the results & turned out it was nothing to worry about, just a nodule & because it wasn't causing me discomfort that there was no need to take it out.

Before the biopsy I'd had a blood test & it came back normal.

So, what I'm trying to say is that they do investigate them as a precaution (my GP said she didn't think it was anything to worry about but she was referring me to rule out anything sinister). Also, I think the needle aspiration is quite common too.

Easy to say but do try not to worry. Fingers crossed for everything and either way it's good it being dealt with. Good luck

Anti bodies are an indication of an infection in your Thyroid. I had an infection with normal values. Was treated with a 6 week course of cortisone but did not have lumps.
Benign lumps tend to grow faster than malignant ones.

Hope you get the results soon to put your mind at rest.
Good luck

Don't panic.

If your TSH is at the top end of the reference range then it is right that you should be on meds. If you have high antibodies then it is also right that you should be on treatment, so I wouldn't worry about that.

I don't know which antibodies you have had tested, but by the sound of it I would say you have Hashimoto's Disease, in which case you can expect nodules and general craziness, but they wouldn't usually be sinister. An ultrasound and possibly also fine needle aspiration (FNA) should set your mind at rest.

I hope they don't keep you waiting too long.

Thanks for the replies.

Digerd, I didn't know you could get infections - that's interesting. I thought I'd read everything Dr Google has to say about thyroid problems! (Not always a good idea, I know).

RockinD, thanks for the info - that makes me feel better. I have definitely felt more "myself" since being on thyroxine - I hadn't really been aware how crap I was feeling until I started it, if you see what I mean. So I'm glad that the GP was right to do it - the consultant just seemed surprised. I've read about Hashimotos disease and figured that was probably what I had, it's just that noone has actually said it yet.

Maish, thanks for the reply. It looks like they would investigate any lump in this way then, which does make me feel less worried.

Fingers crossed its not too long - I think it's supposed to be less than 6 weeks for a referral for any "lump", so hopefully I'll know soon.

Hi, just thought i would add my experience. I developed an underactive thyroid after the birth of my DS. It was well controlled with thyroxine. When pregnant with my DD during a routine appointment (they keep a close eye on your levels when pregnant) a uneven lump was spotted in my neck. I was sent for an ultrasound and then a FNA. I was about 8 months pregnant and terrified. My consultant rang me on Christmas eve to let me know the results were clear. I have since had a further two FNA (two is standard and one came back inconclusive).

My excellent consultant told me many times that thyroid lumps almost always come back benign and should it be cancerous then it is straightforward to treat. Also, the Dr that did the first FNA said that everyone has nodules on their thyroid it is perfectly normal and he would bet money that he had some, but unless there is a problem they go unnoticed.

Also, i was very anxious about the FNA itself, but it was really ok, uncomfortable but not painful and over very quickly. Hope that has reassured you. Try not to Google (i did and had read everything there is to read on the internet!) but i can see now how it really did not help.