Hypothyroid nodule

[Marilla505]

Hi, I was diagnosed about three years ago with Hypothyroidism with three small nodules on my right side and one large one on my left. I suffered considerably with tiredness,fatigue, muscle and joint pain. I take 0.5 mg synthroid daily and don't seem to have any problem with that anymore. My levels have never changed.  I am going to be 41 years old.
The nodules are 95% not cancerous. The ones on my right side have grown 2 mm each in the last year and now measure  4mm. The larger one on my left side has grown 7 mm in the last year and now measures 57mm, and pushes my trachea over, but not to the point where I can't deal with it. I was drinking soy milk for a few years and have now changed over to almond milk because I learned that soy raises the estrogen in your body and can make things grow. I now drink Vega One nutritional drink mix that has maca in it (suppose to be good for your thyroid). So I am trying to shrink it on my own

My Dr. sent me to see a surgeon right away a few years ago and I have seen her a couple times to talk but have opted no to surgery so far.  I have never seen a Endocrinologist, wondering if that is a must. My Dr said maybe dealing more aggressively with the nodule using a higher dose of Synthroid would be an option.Can you give me any advice on both the Endocrinologist and higher dose of synthriod treatment.

I also feel that over the past few years no one will say foresure that I should or shouldn't have surgery, but all question why I am not, it is confusing. I feel like saying to them "If someone told you you had 95% chance of not having cancer in your arm would you cut it off just in case?" Or does non malignant nodules grow? I had the biopsy done, can it change from not having cancer to having cancer?

Just confused at what I should do and also how will it be taking a high dose of synthroid.

Thanks looking forward to some feedback

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Benign nodules can grow but 57mm is quite large (over 2 inches) and if pressing on the trachea this way it may need to be removed.  The non-surgical options include I-131 treatment (if the nodule takes up iodine on I-123) or levothyroxine (synthroid in your case) "suppression" which has fallen out of favor as it usually does not work very well and has the risk of over-treatment which can cause heart rhythm problems and bone loss.  Some experts argue that all nodules >4cm (40mm) should be removed as FNA biopsy may not be as acurate in this setting.

[Margot49]

When dealing with nodules, etc I would definitely be seeing an Endocrinologist!  I am having other health issues but thyroid problems run in almost all the females on my Mom's died of the family from hypo, hyper, Graves, etc.  I also have Osteoporosis and that doc greats that also.  I won't take Fosomax or Actonel.  I have at least 5 nodules and a cyst, I think.  She has ordered two biopsies, benign, and an ultrasound every 6 mos.  I actually go see her tomorrow.  She had put me on Calcium and 3000 IU of Vitamin D.  I am having major stomach issues and the CT scan picked up a small kidney stone and small lesion, the Uroloigist thinks it is a cyst and she said the Vit D and Calcium can cause these cysts!  She also said that Calcium should be spread out during the day and not taken all at once.  Due to all my stomach problems, I haven't taken any supplements in weeks.  I am going to discuss all of this with her tomorrow.  T think I read that thyroid problems can cause stomach issues.  Even though I do seem to have some symptoms of thyroid problems, my tests are Aleah's in the normal ranges.  A friend of mine, who is also 63, had her thyroid gland destroyed (?) a couple of years ago chemically and has been on daily thyroid meds since and she says she feels fine.
It all gets so confusing from one Doctor to the next.

[Momtothyroidgirl]

My 29 year old daughter had very very small nodules on her thyroid two years ago, and now after an ultrasound they're enormous the doctor said.  He wasnt very encouraging about his thoughts and wants her to see an endocrinologist pronto and that it cant wait.  She has a big lump in the center of her throat and can easily feel it.  She is very scared of it being cancer but regardless, her thyroid will have to come out.

[ekcrystal]

I have a nodule on my thyroid, until this abnormal growth and thyroid issue my weight was stable at 120.  Now regardless of diet or working out i can not break 130.  I am at a desperate point on considering having it removed as its the only change  in my phy that i can relate to the multiple problems (aside from weight gain my nails are extremly fragile and splinter to where they phy hurt, breakouts on my jaw line etc that were never an issue before and i am on L thyroixne since feb w/ minimal change to my nails, hair skin.)  I have read about the surgery and the radio active uptake and don't know which would be better i am tired of dibble dabing here and there as this is impacting me on a emotional level not feeling well and constanly fighting energy fatiuged etc?  would you recommend the surgery??? or the uptake

[iannej]

hi im ianne, 27y.o...i was diagnosed with thyroid problem too a few months ago...i was taking euthyrox100mg as my physician recommended to me...so far there is no side effect conpared to the thyrox i first take..i hve not visited mybphysician for almost 2mos. now...is it safe to conceive with this kind of treatment or am i capable of conceiving?

[Marilla505]

Thank you for your advice