Hello everyone..... Another issue has come up for me today.... The last three months I've been having disturbing(to me) hair loss and a very strange feeling in my throat....i put off saying anything to my Pcp because I was dealing with the shingles. Long story short.. Today I had an ultrasound of my thyroid and have a 2 mm nodule and 5 mm cyst.... To be honest I am freaking out just a tad....i didn't talk to the doctor yet so I don't know what's to come.... Anyone out there that knows about this stuff? I know nothing about why I got them or what I will have to do about it.... My body is sure rebelling against me.... minuscule to others on here, but nonetheless....
Thanks in advance!
Thyroid issues
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
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Gabes-Apg
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 8332
- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
- Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia
LouAnn
thyroid issues have been common amongst members here
many of them are not as active these days, if you do a search on the word THyroid you will find these discussions
here is a starting point
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... ht=thyroid
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... ht=thyroid
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... ht=thyroid
thyroid issues have been common amongst members here
many of them are not as active these days, if you do a search on the word THyroid you will find these discussions
here is a starting point
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... ht=thyroid
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... ht=thyroid
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... ht=thyroid
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
Lou Ann,
I am no expert by any means.... I know my own experience which could be very different from your situation. Most likely the next step is a FNA (fine needle aspiration) to take a sample of the node to test for cancer. Or has this been done already since they know one is a nodule and the other a cyst? I've had the procedure twice. It is an uncomfortable procedure but it's doable. After that, you wait for the results. Did they give you any indication of what the next step is?
Hang in there..... the wondering and waiting is the worst part.
I am no expert by any means.... I know my own experience which could be very different from your situation. Most likely the next step is a FNA (fine needle aspiration) to take a sample of the node to test for cancer. Or has this been done already since they know one is a nodule and the other a cyst? I've had the procedure twice. It is an uncomfortable procedure but it's doable. After that, you wait for the results. Did they give you any indication of what the next step is?
Hang in there..... the wondering and waiting is the worst part.
Deb
"Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead, where there is no path, and leave a trail.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
2007 CC
2013 thyroid cancer- total thyroidectomy
2013 Hashimoto's - numbers always "normal"
2017 Lyme's Disease
"Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead, where there is no path, and leave a trail.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
2007 CC
2013 thyroid cancer- total thyroidectomy
2013 Hashimoto's - numbers always "normal"
2017 Lyme's Disease
Thanks for the links Gabes, I will check them out!
Deb, this all happened today... I had an ultrasound.... All I know is the 2mm nodule and 5 mm cyst from results on line.... No Drs called yet so. I have no idea what they will do.... I've done a lot of dr. Google and it seems that they are small size and they may do nothing but monitor. Not sure I agree with that not knowing for sure it couldn't be cancerous. The feeling in my neck/throat isn't something I would like to constantly have.... do you know if medicine shrinks anything? If you don't mind me asking... What size were your nodules ?
Deb, this all happened today... I had an ultrasound.... All I know is the 2mm nodule and 5 mm cyst from results on line.... No Drs called yet so. I have no idea what they will do.... I've done a lot of dr. Google and it seems that they are small size and they may do nothing but monitor. Not sure I agree with that not knowing for sure it couldn't be cancerous. The feeling in my neck/throat isn't something I would like to constantly have.... do you know if medicine shrinks anything? If you don't mind me asking... What size were your nodules ?
I would think if they are causing discomfort they will
Want to test and possibly remove them. Are you working with an endocrinologist? I will have to
Dig up my pathology report because I don't remember the size. They were all totally encapsulated micro carcinomas. That has been a controversial topic recently. It is becoming more popular to
adopt the wait and see method with micro carcinomas. I find that attitude very unsettling but it is a very personal choice one has to make. The removal of one's thyroid carries some serious changes too. In my case, I was sick for very long time before dx so it was actually a relief to finally get them
To agree I had issues. Turns out, I had Hashimotos too. My total thyroidectomy was the beginning of getting my life back. For me, I viewed it is cancer spreads so why would I want to keep it in my body?
If you browse this site for info, please be cautioned if you read some of my many posts- do not take it as something that will happen to you. I had a difficult time getting on track and it was and sometimes still
is a struggle. Each person has different experiences so don't panic if you read mine.
The ThyCa website is an excellent resource. Again, with the patient forum, be aware that you will read horror stories and many people that frequent the site continue to have issues and are looking for answers. Many of the people who are doing well stop posting so you may only see one bad experience after another and few of the good.
Please let us know what you hear. You're in my thoughts
Want to test and possibly remove them. Are you working with an endocrinologist? I will have to
Dig up my pathology report because I don't remember the size. They were all totally encapsulated micro carcinomas. That has been a controversial topic recently. It is becoming more popular to
adopt the wait and see method with micro carcinomas. I find that attitude very unsettling but it is a very personal choice one has to make. The removal of one's thyroid carries some serious changes too. In my case, I was sick for very long time before dx so it was actually a relief to finally get them
To agree I had issues. Turns out, I had Hashimotos too. My total thyroidectomy was the beginning of getting my life back. For me, I viewed it is cancer spreads so why would I want to keep it in my body?
If you browse this site for info, please be cautioned if you read some of my many posts- do not take it as something that will happen to you. I had a difficult time getting on track and it was and sometimes still
is a struggle. Each person has different experiences so don't panic if you read mine.
The ThyCa website is an excellent resource. Again, with the patient forum, be aware that you will read horror stories and many people that frequent the site continue to have issues and are looking for answers. Many of the people who are doing well stop posting so you may only see one bad experience after another and few of the good.
Please let us know what you hear. You're in my thoughts
Deb
"Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead, where there is no path, and leave a trail.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
2007 CC
2013 thyroid cancer- total thyroidectomy
2013 Hashimoto's - numbers always "normal"
2017 Lyme's Disease
"Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead, where there is no path, and leave a trail.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
2007 CC
2013 thyroid cancer- total thyroidectomy
2013 Hashimoto's - numbers always "normal"
2017 Lyme's Disease
Thanks Deb,
The doctors office called just a little bit ago… He thought it was absolutely no big deal and to get another ultrasound in a year. I asked if I should maybe be on medication since I have that feeling in my throat and my hair is falling out like there's no tomorrow and he stuck with his answer of checking it in the year but said if you're concerned about the symptoms you're having to go to an endocrinologist. My last TSH was normal, that was in March. I don't know what to do. Seeing an endocrinologist would probably make me feel better that leaving it alone . Doctors are nuts....in my opinion. LOL
The doctors office called just a little bit ago… He thought it was absolutely no big deal and to get another ultrasound in a year. I asked if I should maybe be on medication since I have that feeling in my throat and my hair is falling out like there's no tomorrow and he stuck with his answer of checking it in the year but said if you're concerned about the symptoms you're having to go to an endocrinologist. My last TSH was normal, that was in March. I don't know what to do. Seeing an endocrinologist would probably make me feel better that leaving it alone . Doctors are nuts....in my opinion. LOL
Lou Ann,
Please be aware that when I had a chronic magnesium deficiency I was shedding hair regularly. That problem ended as soon as I upped my magnesium supplementation rate.
Also, many medications can cause hair loss (and so can certain other vitamin deficiencies). The anti-inflammatory medications such as mesalamine and the corticosteroids are notorious for causing hair loss.
And note that resolving my magnesium deficiency allowed me to cut my hypothyroid treatment in half. But the effects of magnesium deficiency can sometimes seem contradictory because a severe magnesium deficiency can cause all the symptoms of hyperthyroidism. When my magnesium deficiency became severe, I developed all the symptoms of hyperthroiodism. That is to say, my TSH almost went to zero and my metabolism went into overdrive (I was always too hot and I began losing an average of approximately 2 pounds every week).
Your thyroid does not seem to be affected at this point if your TSH is still normal. Note that nodules on the thyroid typically cause hyperthyroid symptoms if they are large enough to have a significant effect. So you may be able to tell when the nodules are beginning to have a significant effect by noticing the symptoms that I described above.
Tex
Please be aware that when I had a chronic magnesium deficiency I was shedding hair regularly. That problem ended as soon as I upped my magnesium supplementation rate.
Also, many medications can cause hair loss (and so can certain other vitamin deficiencies). The anti-inflammatory medications such as mesalamine and the corticosteroids are notorious for causing hair loss.
And note that resolving my magnesium deficiency allowed me to cut my hypothyroid treatment in half. But the effects of magnesium deficiency can sometimes seem contradictory because a severe magnesium deficiency can cause all the symptoms of hyperthyroidism. When my magnesium deficiency became severe, I developed all the symptoms of hyperthroiodism. That is to say, my TSH almost went to zero and my metabolism went into overdrive (I was always too hot and I began losing an average of approximately 2 pounds every week).
Your thyroid does not seem to be affected at this point if your TSH is still normal. Note that nodules on the thyroid typically cause hyperthyroid symptoms if they are large enough to have a significant effect. So you may be able to tell when the nodules are beginning to have a significant effect by noticing the symptoms that I described above.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Thank you Tex!
When I went to my PCP and complained about the weird feeling in my throat in the hair loss that is when he scheduled me for my ultrasound because he told me that just because your TSH is normal you could still have issues… have you ever heard anything like that? And are there other blood test besides that one for thyroid I should be looking into?
When I went to my PCP and complained about the weird feeling in my throat in the hair loss that is when he scheduled me for my ultrasound because he told me that just because your TSH is normal you could still have issues… have you ever heard anything like that? And are there other blood test besides that one for thyroid I should be looking into?
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Gabes-Apg
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 8332
- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
- Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia
Lou Ann
the system in both your country and my country is that if your TSH is 'in normal range' the medical system will not subsidize additional testing...
I have outlayed for the urine iodine test (about $70) and the first one showed i was borderline severely deficient and I started iodine supplementation
a follow up 12 months later showed I was back to mildly deficient and I am still supplementing with iodine
I also outlayed for the reverse T3 blood test and it showed issues that i have resolved via methylation cycle fixes.
You will need to find a practitioner (be it nutritionist, functional doctor, naturopath, chiropractor etc) that can order the tests and help interpret them. I am lucky that i have found nutritionist and a chiro who are very knowledgeable, that will order the tests and help me, but do not push supplements, diet changes or excess treatments on me.
as a cheap at home option for the iodine test, you can do a spot test on your skin
http://www.naturalendocrinesolutions.co ... id-health/
and as Tex has mentioned, magnesium comes into play with this...
the system in both your country and my country is that if your TSH is 'in normal range' the medical system will not subsidize additional testing...
I have outlayed for the urine iodine test (about $70) and the first one showed i was borderline severely deficient and I started iodine supplementation
a follow up 12 months later showed I was back to mildly deficient and I am still supplementing with iodine
I also outlayed for the reverse T3 blood test and it showed issues that i have resolved via methylation cycle fixes.
You will need to find a practitioner (be it nutritionist, functional doctor, naturopath, chiropractor etc) that can order the tests and help interpret them. I am lucky that i have found nutritionist and a chiro who are very knowledgeable, that will order the tests and help me, but do not push supplements, diet changes or excess treatments on me.
as a cheap at home option for the iodine test, you can do a spot test on your skin
http://www.naturalendocrinesolutions.co ... id-health/
and as Tex has mentioned, magnesium comes into play with this...
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
Yes, it's possible to have thyroid problems despite a normal TSH level. For example, your Free T3 or Free T4 could be out of range (or Reverse T3 could be elevated). But Gabes is correct that most doctors don't know what to do about those problems because they have been taught to only look at the TSH as an indicator of thyroid condition. IOW, if the TSH looks normal, they see no reason to investigate further.
Your doctor may have already checked for thyroid antibodies, but if not, it might be a good idea to check for thyroid antibodies that could indicate the autoimmune conditions known as Graves' disease (which is associated with hyperthyroidism) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (which causes hypothyhroidism). Again, with a normal TSH, your immune system probably is not producing antibodies in any significant amount, but if your antibody level happens to be somewhat elevated, that could be an early indication of a developing problem.
You're most welcome,
Tex
Your doctor may have already checked for thyroid antibodies, but if not, it might be a good idea to check for thyroid antibodies that could indicate the autoimmune conditions known as Graves' disease (which is associated with hyperthyroidism) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (which causes hypothyhroidism). Again, with a normal TSH, your immune system probably is not producing antibodies in any significant amount, but if your antibody level happens to be somewhat elevated, that could be an early indication of a developing problem.
You're most welcome,
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Lou Ann
Lou Ann, I too have nodules in my thyroid and have since I was diagnosed with Hashimotos in 2006. They get checked every year if I remember to remind the doc I need an ultrasound.at first I was nervous...like I had tiny ticking time bombs in there, but now I don't worry about it. If things change, I will come here for suggestions from those who have had thyroids removed and thyroid groups. It helps to have a group like this to help deal with all these "little surprises " I think.
"It is very difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends upon his not understanding it. "
Upton Sinclair
Upton Sinclair
I don't have thyroid issues, but several years ago (actually, it was right after my mother died), I lost hair like there was no tomorrow. I had bald patches all over my head (alopecia)......I went to dermatologist who sent me to endocrinologist and they never found anything............Stress does bad things to our bodies.........and it all grew back in and I have had little spots from time to time.........
Now, I say it's all autoimmune related in some way and probably was a sign of things to come.............
Now, I say it's all autoimmune related in some way and probably was a sign of things to come.............
Jari
Diagnosed with Collagenous Colitis, June 29th, 2015
Gluten free, Dairy free, and Soy free since July 3rd, 2015
Diagnosed with Collagenous Colitis, June 29th, 2015
Gluten free, Dairy free, and Soy free since July 3rd, 2015
Gabes, I will try the iodine test...why not!
Tex, after he said no big deal wait a year and do another ultrasound I started asking questions about what I'm suppose to do about hair loss and feeling in my neck.....that's when he said to go to an endocrinologist if I was worried about it.....so all the tests I've had was the TSH and ultrasound so far.
Thank you all for your input!
Tex, after he said no big deal wait a year and do another ultrasound I started asking questions about what I'm suppose to do about hair loss and feeling in my neck.....that's when he said to go to an endocrinologist if I was worried about it.....so all the tests I've had was the TSH and ultrasound so far.
Thank you all for your input!
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Gabes-Apg
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 8332
- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
- Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia
it is a strong indicator of iodine deficiency...
if you need more scientific reassurance then maybe outlay for the iodine urine test
i found these ones that for USA you can do direct.
https://store.zrtlab.com/index.php/elements-thyroid
if you need more scientific reassurance then maybe outlay for the iodine urine test
i found these ones that for USA you can do direct.
https://store.zrtlab.com/index.php/elements-thyroid
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama