Another Thyroid Thread.... (Redux)

[indysteel]

(((Brandi))). Hang in there; I hope you learn something soon.

[Brandi]

Ok I learned that a biopsy is not my favorite thing! But worth it. They found no cancer And at this point want me to come back in 9 months to recheck my thyroid with another ultrasound. Or if I notice a change prior to that. I guess I am ok with this. Can you have this and it never turns into anything? Can it go away? So many questions. Thank you all for your support by the way.

[indysteel]

Brandi, I'm extremely relieved that it is not cancer.

But, I do have to otherwise wonder about the decision to wait 9 months for a recheck. Thyroids don't just get enlarged for no reason, and the fact that they haven't determined a reason is somewhat bothersome, at least to me, especially since you have some symptoms seemingly consistent with abnormal thyroid function. In the very least, I'd suggest talking to your doc (I forget; are you seeing an endo?) about having bloodwork redone in a few months. Does your thyroid still feel enlarged at all to you? Is it impairing your breathing or swallowing?

[Brandi]

The nodule is what has made my thyroid enlarged according to the ENT I am seeing. The endo is like a 3 month wait to get in and the ENT came highly recommended from a few different people and my husband. I will ask about the blood work though. Thank for your opinion.

[indysteel]

The nodule is what has made my thyroid enlarged according to the ENT I am seeing. The endo is like a 3 month wait to get in and the ENT came highly recommended from a few different people and my husband. I will ask about the blood work though. Thank for your opinion.

Some nodules can produce extra thyroid hormone, distinct from the thyroid hormone that your pituitary gland produces. Hashimoto's can cause nodules, too (I think). I'm not sure if your blood work conclusively ruled out either of those options, but again, I'm concerned because if memory serves, you weren't feeling all that great even before you realized that your thyroid was enlarged. If I were in your shoes, I might at least make an appointment with the endo. If in three months time, you feel good, then skip it, but if you still feel off (trouble sleeping, hot or cold, anxiety, heart palpitations or a racing heart, hair loss, fatigue, depression, dry or oily skin), then go through with the appointment and see what an endo says.

In any event, I'm really glad it's not cancer. I hope you already feel tons better. Just keep us posted if anything else develops or changes.

[Crankin]

I went to an ENT in 2007, for other reasons and he discovered I had nodules on my thyroid. He sent me to an endo, who did ultrasounds 6 months apart for 2 years. After nothing had changed, she said she'll just keep feeling them and eventually, maybe do a biopsy. She also said that 50% of the people over age 50 have thyroid nodules!This same doctor treats me for my osteoporosis, and I think next time I go for my Prolia shot, I will discuss doing a more in depth thyroid blood work panel. I also have had many of the symptoms of thyroid disease, and no one has suggested this. I had a basic panel done years ago, and of course, my PCP said nothing was amiss. I still wonder if my "fibromyalgia" symptoms are really thyroid diseasehysical manifestations of anxiety, heart palps, sweats, weird muscle aches. I never had any of the tiredness and "brain fog" of fibromyalgia and I think this was just a convenient way to rid of me.

[Brandi]

I can't tell you how many times I have asked if there was a connection between my symptoms and my thyroid. They say my levels are perfect though. That I could not ask for better levels. And that my symptoms are due to aging or genetics etc.... I swear I have shoved these questions down their throats. Not sure I want to see the Endo that is here. I hear terrible things about him. One he is wishy washy and too layed back. We only have one here that takes my insurance soooo unless I can find someone else not sure.

[indysteel]

Brandi, you might ask your ENT to run some bloodwork to screen for the antibodies that are associated with thyroid related autoimmune disease. It is possible for labs to be in a normal range in the presence of such antibodies.

[Brandi]

I will do that!
Meow!

[indysteel]

Well, I met with my third, and hopefully, last endo today. He's just what I was hoping to find. He listened, didn't talk down to me, and offered understandable answers to my questions. He seems to more closely monitor his patients levels if they aren't yet stable. Plus, he uses an online portal for posting my labs and communication. I just felt a lot more confident talking to him than I did the other two docs. He's not going to push me toward RAI, which is a huge relief.

On a related note, my skin has been really itchy lately and my palms red so he's running some liver tests. sure hope nothing is wrong on that count.

[Catrin]

Glad you found someone you like Indy, sounds like he is the one you need. Good luck on the liver tests!

[redrhodie]

Yay Brandi! Glad it's not cancer!

So happy for you, too Indy! Hopefully this one will figure you out!

I'm still feeling good. My endo appt is in 2 weeks. I don't feel bad or anything, but I'm tired of waiting.

[e3rdpower]

Well, I met with my third, and hopefully, last endo today. He's just what I was hoping to find. He listened, didn't talk down to me, and offered understandable answers to my questions. He seems to more closely monitor his patients levels if they aren't yet stable. Plus, he uses an online portal for posting my labs and communication. I just felt a lot more confident talking to him than I did the other two docs. He's not going to push me toward RAI, which is a huge relief.

On a related note, my skin has been really itchy lately and my palms red so he's running some liver tests. sure hope nothing is wrong on that count.

That sounds lovely. I do like my endo, but have yet to find one with online communication like that. It sounds awesome.

[Red Rock]

Well, it's been a while since you have seen me on this thread. I hope all of you are getting the attention of those that need your attention. Go Patients!

I'm feeling like I'm at my wits end almost. It's been good that I have not had to come here to complain or get advice etc. However, at my last endo appt. , now about 2 months away previous. He told me to cut my dose in half, so from 10mg to 5 mg once a day. I have since lost a job, become more brain foggy, not remembering, short attention span, some bone aches and lost over or at least 5 pounds. I'm sure there is more. My next appointment isn't until the 20th which will not be here soon enough. I can't wait to tell him to put me back at 10 mg so I can be myself again.

Those that have had to deal with doctors experimenting with your chemistry. Now I understand fully. It's no fun for sure. I have told my hubby that the night before my next appointment to give myself a full 10 mg. he says to wait until I go see him. Aargh! Not sure how I will make it.

Anyway, that is what is happening in my life these days. Hope to be a better person again after my appointment. Thanks for listening.

Red Rock

[Grits]

I don't think I have weighed in on this thread yet, but do have thyroid issues myself. Please call and leave a message for your doctor that your symptoms have worsened dramatically (be specific) since the medication change, and that you, at the very least, need to go back on the old dosage until another treatment is devised and plan to do so unless you hear back with a different treatment option. At my practice I leave messages with the doctor's nurse. If you did better on 10mg, then start doubling your dose and get a refill request sent in if you don't have enough to last until the 20th. No need to wait until the 20th to take action if you are suffering.