posted December 21, 2012 10:59 AM            

I have had hypothyroidism since the mid-90s, and take synthroid supplements for it. A couple months back, my PCP suggested we take an ultrasound just to see how things are inside the gland. They found a nodule in there which had a different appearance that they felt warranted more exploring (they called it mural nodule) since it looked similar to papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). So I went to an endocrinologist who did a fine needle biopsy on the nodule, only for the results to come back inconclusive. She said we could either explore again in 3-4 months, or go back in for genetic tests which would resolve the "inconclusive" test result. So I went back for more exploration with needles, hoping to resolve this sooner than later. Last week, she called to say the tests did not resolve the issue still (they could neither say malignant nor benign based on the result), but that it raised their suspicion level to 40%. She urged me to see a surgeon right away to have the thyroid removed. Once they have it out, they can tell for sure, and if I need, they can treat further.

All of this comes at a time my husband and I are trying to start a family - I turn 36 in January, and this will be our first. We have been trying & hopeful for a few months, but nothing has happened yet.

It's been a lot to deal with, trying to decide to go in to remove a gland without knowing for sure if it's even necessary. I'm scared.. but think after talking to a few people that I should ask them to go ahead, and to try to conserve as much of it as they can. I don't want to have to do without the thyroid, to be dependent on meds for the rest of my life, if I can help it. I'm looking for second opinions, to make sure this endo is not being too aggressive without good reason.

I'm nervous about the surgery itself, of letting someone cut into my throat, of complications, of delaying starting a family even further, so many worries I don't even want to name...

Has anyone else here been through a thyroidectomy? Would you please share your experience with me? It would help to know I'm not alone in dealing with this.

posted December 21, 2012 05:23 PM            

I have been wanting to post about thyroid issues - what a coincidence.

I haven't had a thyroidectomy, but I have a problem with my thyroid. If I were advised to have it removed, I would definitely seek a second opinion, perhaps even a third - depending on how soon I could get in to see someone.

I'm sorry I'm not able to give any real advice. I just wanted to let you know that I read your post and you are not alone in dealing with a thyroid problem. It's not fun. I definitely understand why you are nervous and worried.

Wishing you better health,

posted December 22, 2012 02:11 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by sunshine9:
I forgot to add that the doctor found out that my hypothyroidism is due to Hashimoto's thyroiditis - those cells have a similar appearance to PTC apparently, and I'm wondering if this is what is driving them to keep calling it inconclusive. (At least I'm hoping that's all it is).

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posted December 26, 2012 02:51 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by LuckyLeo:
Hey Sunshine9

I have been wanting to post about thyroid issues - what a coincidence.

I haven't had a thyroidectomy, but I have a problem with my thyroid. If I were advised to have it removed, I would definitely seek a second opinion, perhaps even a third - depending on how soon I could get in to see someone.

I'm sorry I'm not able to give any real advice. I just wanted to let you know that I read your post and you are not alone in dealing with a thyroid problem. It's not fun. I definitely understand why you are nervous and worried.

Wishing you better health,

Lucky

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LuckyLeo,

Thank you for your post, and for letting me know I'm not alone in this... I am trying to get in with another endocrinologist & a surgeon for second & third opinions, though it seems from the doctors I've spoken with so far that it may be a good idea to get at least the section with the nodule removed. I was going to see the surgeon today to discuss, but because of weather issues, will not get back to town in time to make the appointment.

If you want to talk about your thyroid issues, I'm happy to listen...

posted December 26, 2012 03:01 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Lexxigramer:
There is a link betwixt the autoimmune disorder and the development of various cancers not just limited to the Thyroid gland.
Please search Google for "Hashimoto's thyroiditis and cancer".
I hope you get the right treatment.
If you can, get a second opinion before agreeing to surgery.

Also there are simple ways to increase your fertility by making your body more friendly to sperm;
and I will post them if you are interested.
Be sure to tell your doctor(s) that you want to have a child so that they can take that into consideration when deciding your course of treatment.
Good luck to you.{{{hugs}}}

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Lexxi,

Thank you for writing. How are you doing, and how is your health? I hope it is much improved from a month or two back...

I did the search you suggested, and was really surprised that there is a higher risk in Hashimoto's patients for cancer... It seems like autoimmune conditions are connected with so many issues. When I was first diagnosed with hypothyroidism, they thought I might have PCOS too, which may be connected. And now they have found some mild glucose intolerance in me as well, along with elevated HbA1C, putting me at risk for diabetes, another autoimmune issue. I'm trying not to get bogged down with this worry yet, though I am working on a better diet and need to start exercising again. I really hope & pray it is not cancer...

Please do share tips with me on how to increase my fertility; any advice would be greatly appreciated. We are really anxious about having a family soon, though I guess we will have to deal with this bump in the road first. We're hoping once it is done, to get back on starting a family.

Hope you had a merry Christmas, and that the new year brings you much healthier times...

posted December 26, 2012 03:17 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Randall:
It's still inconclusive. Get another opinion.

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Thank you for checking in, Randall... I'm waiting to get in with other endocrinologists before we make the decision. I'd really rather they not take out the whole gland if they feel the best decision is to go in, and am keeping my fingers crossed...

I will post updates as we know more.

Hope your Christmas was good - did you get to see Charm?

posted December 27, 2012 06:43 PM            

Knowings with Chris Griscom, Aug 10 08 - Theme: Thyroid Gland-Part 3 [7:09] - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTW8XuKqdLA

posted December 31, 2012 04:33 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Randall:
Nope. And I feel they will find nothing to be worried about.

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posted December 31, 2012 04:41 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by mirage29:
Found Chris Griscom (new age healer) giving a talk on thyroid problems... cancer

Knowings with Chris Griscom, Aug 10 08 - Theme: Thyroid Gland-Part 3 [7:09] - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTW8XuKqdLA

Praying you get through all this with minimum of trauma...

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mirage29 -

Thank you for writing in, and I'm sorry for my belated response. I was away from my computer with only my phone, so could not type out as long a response as I wanted.

I'm so sorry for your troubles too.. What is happening with you now? How are you doing? I cannot believe they let you go so long without so much as properly diagnosing it. From what I'm reading, the thyroid is key suspect for a whole variety of symptoms, and the first thing many doctors check. I hope you have better doctors now! I missed what you said before - I'm here for you if you'd like to talk about it!! Please come back!

And thank you so much for posting the videos and the links - that is so much more information than I seen before, and will really help arm me to deal with all this better!

quote:

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In Medical Astrology, planet MERCURY rules brain, central nervous system, thyroid gland, five senses, hands... www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_astrology

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I never knew Mercury was associated with the thyroid - perhaps this is all because my Mercury is afflicted now - tPluto is sitting right on top of it ATM; no wonder!

We will get through this, mirage29.. I pray for better health for you this coming year.

{{{{mirage29}}}}

Take care of yourself, dear one.. and come back to let me know how you're doing.

posted December 31, 2012 04:43 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Lexxigramer:
sunshine9
and mirage29
Sorry for all the troubles in your lives.
I wish for you both to heal and for your lives to be better.{{{hugs}}}
Sorry,
not up to writing more at this time.
Not doing well since before Christmas,
and mostly bed bound the past 2 weeks.
On that note;

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I'm so sorry you're not feeling well, Lexie!! Are you feeling better now? I hope you're back on your feet.

I hope this coming New Year brings you better health and better times, dear friend!

posted December 31, 2012 04:48 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Yin:
Wow, sunshine, it sounds scary.
I don't have any experience with it.
Stay positive and get a second opinion.

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Thank you for your kind words, Yin!

I'm going to see some specialists in the next few days for my second opinion - and hopefully will be able to make better sense of all this in the coming month.

posted January 05, 2013 07:48 PM            

Wondering whether you've seen another specialist yet...

In today's climate, though, and in this country where medical malpractice lawsuits abound, a thyroid doc or oncologist is going to be hard pressed to tell you to take a "wait and see" approach. It would be every doctor's nightmare to be sued in a suit alleging that his/her bad advice resulted in metastasis of primary thyroid cancer in a young woman. So, it wouldn't surprise me if most of them would advise you to remove the thyroid, in light of the inconclusive findings. Now... I basically have no thyroid left after the ablation (due to a hyperthyroid condition which kept recurring despite meds) and, other than weight gain, which may or may not be attributable to that, my health is pretty darn good and I feel well, after having found Armour thyroid, which I did better on than on Synthroid. Yes, it was a mistake for me not to have been more patient with my body, and let it naturally balance its hormones, but in my case, I wanted to have a child and was told that if I went full-blown hyper during pregnancy, it would present a danger to the fetus to take the meds, which would cross the placental barrier. So, anyway, I can tell you that if you had the thyroid removed, you'd probably still live a normal life, after some amount of trial and error with meds and dosages. But... I understand the hesitation.

Could you obtain re-cuts of the pathology slides and have another pathologist examine them? That might be an option. Maybe one person's inconclusive would be another person's conclusive.

I also want to throw this out there: my good friend is a psychic medium and hands on healer. She comes from a long line of healers. She is in New York. She is a special gift from G-d to the people of this world. Trust me, I don't say this lightly.

posted January 06, 2013 10:16 PM            

Thank you so much for your detailed post, and for caring.

My laptop's having issues so I will have to come back to write a more detailed response, since it takes forever from my phone!

I'm so sorry for the troubles you had - they can't have been pleasant!! Are you done with them now, I hope? I can understand how you must've felt - I'm going through the same worry now. I've come to terms with the actual surgery itself now - my worry is what comes after - they said something about "Hurthle cell metaplasia" which my doctor says can turn into cancer. Any radiotherapy offsets everything else (starting a family) by 6-8 months or so... I turn 36 in 2 weeks, so that worries me as we haven't had any kids yet.

I'll be back to tweak this post some more, or perhaps post again once I digest what you've said...