Thyroid treatments.

[lilfatbudincarbus]

My fiance is worried to tears.  She has an enlarged thyroid gland with nodules and is going to get a big needle stuck in her neck to check for cancer.  We met in a diet program and if the prospect of her children losing another perent to death wasn't enough (yes she is considering the cancer worst case senario too.) she is worried we no more than get married and then she will have to have her tyroid gland removed and it will inevitably make her "fat"!  I love her and want her to be healthy.  Is there anyway she can feel better about the prospect of controling her wait after thyroid surgery? What can I do to help?

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Most thyroid nodules are benign but FNA biopsy is needed to make this diagnosis.  Usually the needles are smaller than blood draw needles -- at least the ones we use are -- and the biopsy should not be traumatic.  Even in if this is cancer, the survival for a young person is excellent.  Thyroid surgery does not make people fat -- the thyroid levels will be restored with thyroid medication and there should not be significant weight gain.  Patients often assess weight gain to the thyroid, but in reality, it's that they are eating more calories than they need and metabolism slows w/ age.

[lilfatbudincarbus]

Thanks a million Dr. Lupo with your medical advice and the other patient that also answered as my question as knowing from her own experience I feel confident this will help relieve the anxiety my fiance is feeling and we can get on with the treatment with a postitive attitude.  I appreciate your time.  Thanks again!