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just came up overnight or so it seemed, always had thyroid checked on annual exam, but just happened to reach up on my neck one day and there it was, rather large. I too saw family doctor, got an ultrasound which really cannot tell much, other than the size of the nodule and then was referred to surgeon. Because of the size and the way it appeared so quickly, there was mention of very slight, slight risk of cancer, etc, but that even thyroid cancer is hightly cureable, etc. I did some internet research etc and did not let it worry me too much, but followed up and my doctor had an ultrasound-guided needle thyroid biopsy performed by a radiologist at our local hospital who specializes in these procedures, that way he was able to make sure to take enough specimen while I was there (so I would not have to go through the procedure again, if the specimen was inadequate) They ended up doing four passes with the needle to get enough, after using local lidocaine, etc. Did not hurt a bit (went out to lunch with my girlfriends about 2 hours after the procedure) but you could feel the needle when it went through into the gland (the gland is rather tough)kind of like a popping sound. The best part was that I could get a preliminary result in about 5 minutes while I was still on the exam table, no waiting and worrying. Luckily it came back benign, but I do have to take thyroid medication now. They were hoping it would shrink the mass, but it has been about 9 months now and I am due in April to have another ultrasound but I can tell that the mass is not any smaller, probably larger and so I can look forward to having partial thyroidectomy (not really afraid of surgery, just don't have time in my schedule for such things). My advice is to do some internet research on WebMD, etc, make a list of questions to ask your doctor, and I would definitely try to get a specialist to do any biopsy and see if you can get preliminary results the same day to put your mind at ease. Remember most doctors don't have the greatest personalities but if they know their stuff that's what matters. Try not to worry. |
Found a thyroid mass about a year ago too - mamawtypes
