Nodule on thyroid - can’t help worrying

[BigmouseLittlehouse]

Hello everyone

Not sure why I’m posting really! I guess I hope to hear some positive stories.

I recently had to have an MRI for an enlarged tonsil ( to check for malignancy). Thankfully - as far as they can tell - tonsil doesn’t look malignant. However during MRI they spotted a nodule on my thyroid. So now I have to wait for an ultrasound appointment and possible biopsy.

I have health anxiety so have already found the tonsil worry very difficult. I didn’t really take much in when the consultant mentioned the thyroid nodule as I guess I was a bit in shock as was hoping to have a worry lifted re the tonsil ( albeit I still have to have a further MRI on that in three months).

I’m a single parent to primary DC so I’ve been pretty much on my own this last year. I think not having anyone to talk to about this makes my anxiety worse. But also thinking through the consequences if it was malignant - practical ie I’m on my own, what would happen to the kids etc.

Really feel a bit broken by the underlying worry and fear. Also not even having the ultrasound appointment is stressing me out.

Hi @BigmouseLittlehouse
I'm going through something similar, waiting for a heart scan. I am not coping very well - my health anxiety has taken over. I have young dc and I'm so scared, I can't think straight. Have they said how long you will be waiting for ultrasound?

Hi @butteredtoastplease - I’m sorry to hear you are in a similar situation.

No my consultant rang on Friday. I’m lucky in that I am able to go private, his secretary is meant to be contacting the department to organise and then the department will ring me, but my experience of her hasn’t been great so I’m already worrying I will need to chase it up. I’d much rather organise it myself so I at least know when.

I’ve always had anxiety but generally have been able to manage it. This has completely tipped me over the edge.

I have a nodule on my thyroid which was discovered last year as I was really unwell - it was an uncommon thyroid problem which had caused the nodule.

Please be reassured that thyroid nodules are fairly common and the vast majority nothing to worry about. While I was waiting for the results of my biopsy my doctor was also very reassuring that even if it was malignant thyroid cancer is one of the easiest to treat.

I hope you get your ultrasound soon x

Thank you @Autumn101 and I hope you are feeling better now.

In a way I guess I should be pleased it’s been picked up as I have no symptoms so would have been unaware if it wasn’t for the MRI

I’ve been on thyroxine for decades due to an overactive thyroid. It’s in my family. A friend of mine had a noticeable nodule on her thyroid many years ago. It was found to be cancerous so they removed the whole thyroid and then killed off all thyroid cells in her body with radioactive iodine. She’s been on the same meds as me since. My grandmother had part of her thyroid removed before the days of radioactive iodine treatment. The prognosis for thyroid conditions as far as I have experienced and know is good and easily treatable.

Thanks Daisy

thyroid nodules are very common. I have one quite big one and had it biopsied a few times but it's under observation as it is still growing a bit. very few are cancerous and if it is cancer, then thyroid cancer is one of the most treatable (usually surgery). don't lose sleep over it.