Concern to total Thyroid removal

[ClerkAJ]

I have just been told that the nodule on my thyroid is testing as abnormal and the pathologist is sending the samples to University of Iowa for additional testing.  My Endo, in a frank discussion is recommending total removal due to some other symptoms with breathing and voice change, etc.  

Here is the worm in the oatmeal... my thyroid is normal functioning.  I have to take into account that a normal gland, that is working properly will be totally removed and I will be thrown into a world of the unknown  maintaining normal function by using meds that may or may not take years to regulate.

My fear of the abnormal cells "turning" to Cancer is huge.  My nodule is large enough to choke me when I lay on my stomach to sleep, which I almost have to do because of my low back, hip, and knee issues. My Endo will not remove just the nodule or take partial thyroid out - I did not have the opportunity on the phone today to clarify this part of the conversation, but I will dig deeper when we talk after second tests come back.

I have read through a few questions and answers on this site and am now terrified to have the thyroid removed.  I recently quite smoking and added the obligatory 25 #'s and cannot gain any more and be remotely healthy.  I am a diabetic on low dosages of insulin (just started insulin and it will be adjusted), I have severe arthritis in my hip and knee (both are slated for replacement - hip is this fall).  I am in constant pain with high BS readings.  I am afraid of what will happen to my health with the total removal of my thyroid - yet if I leave the nodule that is abnormal...

Any suggestions out there?  Any success stories?  Please share as I will need to make a decision when the labs come in from University of Iowa later this week.

Thank you.

[mmaggard20]

I have conflicting thyroid diseases, both hper & hypo (Graves & Hashimoto's), along with 13 other autoimmunes. I had a total thyroidectomy in 2006 and must take levothyroxine for the rest of my life. I am 46 and have had several major surgeries. Thyroidectomy was by far the easiest to recovery.  Had to wear a bandage over my throat for a week and take 2 pills daily. Other than that, no other issues. Can't even see my 4" scar unless I look at the sky. No regrets whatsoever. My husband is hyper & elected to kill his thyroid via radiation. He's not removing his. He too takes 1 pill daily, and that's it. I simply had a problem knowing I had to live with a dead organ in my body and thus, opted for removal. Hope my story helps.

[898_1]

Can you please post your ultrasound and  pathology results??

[goolarra]

I'm sure someone will come in shortly to comment on your nodule.

However, I have a few questions that might help clarify your decision.  Please post thyroid panel results (FT3, FT4 and TSH).  Thyroid test reference ranges are very flawed, and "normal" isn't always "normal".  Please post the reference ranges from your own lab report with the results.  

Have you had any antibody testing...TPOab (thyroid peroxidase antibody) or TGab (thyroglobulin antibody).  Quitting smoking can precipitate the onset of autoimmune thyroid disease.