Benign Nodule, Surgery option

[hazel906]

Hello all,

In November of 2014, I found a lump in my throat/side of my neck. Went to my PCP and was sent for an Ultrasound. Found a 1 cm nodule on my right lobe, but decided at the time to monitor it for 6 months, then have it rechecked for growth. On May 11th, 2015, I had the follow up US and they discovered that I now have a "well-circumscribed solid lesion lesion containing calcification's measuring 1.2 x 0.8 x 0.9 cm in right lobe". A 5 mm nodule is seen on the left lobe. The right lobe is measuring 4.4 x 2.8 x 2 cm and the left lobe is measuring 3.7 x 2.7 x 1.5 cm. The isthmus is thickened up to 5 mm depth.

I had the biopsy on June 9th, it wasn't all that bad, I admit. Mostly sore. I was sore/stiff for a few days, but Ibuprofen helped a lot. I had a follow up on the 16th for the results (benign). But I felt like the Dr. down played what the issue is? She tried to say that me having to constantly clear my throat is allergies and acid re-flux. I told her that it hurts to turn my head sometimes because I can feel it in there.

I understand a lot of people have the same issue, and I am grateful it's not cancerous (yet, because there is a chance it still can be). She did say she would refer me to a surgeon if I wanted, but "warned" me of the risk. I already know the risk. The scar. The anesthesia, any complications that may arise. She also told me that they'd remove the whole gland, but the biggest one is on my right side. (side note: there at 2 on the left. One is 5 mm, and another was found the day of the biopsy that was 3 mm)

I scheduled a follow up with her in 12 months for an ultrasound to check size. But after thinking about it, it's just not sitting right with me. I'm not comfortable. I constantly have to clear my throat. If I talk for long periods of time, I lose my voice. If I turn my head to the right, I feel it. I choke on food sometimes, and previously, I thought this was because I didn't chew my food enough. I am constantly tired, yet all my thyroid panels come back normal, how is this possible?

With all of that said, surgery is the obvious choice. I'm just curious if it's possible to just take the right lobe? And what will happen then? Will I be monitored by an Endocrinologist? I know they will monitor the left lobe nodules for growth as well. I would just hate to have to have surgery twice for the same thing.

[898_1]

What kind of calcification the nodule has?

[Barb135]

If the biopsy on the nodule came back definitely benign, it's not likely that it will turn to cancer at a later date.

If you have copies of your thyroid related labs, please post them so we can see what the actual numbers are... It's quite common for people to have hypo symptoms when their labs are "in range", especially, if you happen to be one of the lucky (said "tongue in cheek") who has Hashimoto's.  With Hashimoto's, the antibodies are often raging for years before they've done enough damage to cause labs to go out of range.  

Please be sure to post reference ranges with any labs, since ranges vary from lab to lab and have to come from your own reports.

Often when one is put on a thyroid replacement hormone, nodules will shrink, so surgery isn't the only option, but to answer your question, it is possible to take only one lobe, though, typically when that's done, the patient will still end up on thyroid replacement hormones.  You may or may not be monitored by an endo... not all endos are good thyroid doctors, which is what it sounds like you need right now.  

Just for your information, acid reflux is a very common symptom of hypothyroidism, along with many others...