abnormal thryoid u/s

[banditmom]

My daughter who is 22 years old continues to have swelling of her neck, which mostly occurs when she is under alot of stress, headaches, loss of hair.  We had her TSH, T3 and Free T4 checked.  All are in the "normal range", however in the low normal. When she was 14 we had an u/s of the thryroid which indicated there were several "fluid filled cysts" We had a needle guided biopsy done which indicated no cancer cells but the dr told us she needed to be watched and followed.  We have continued to have routine thyroid labs done, even when she is symptomatic and yet they all indicate the thyroid levels are "in normal range" although the symptoms of swelling of her neck, increased headaches and hair loss are all occuring.  We had a recent U/S done and after having watched the last 2 (being a nurse) I noticed again there were 3 cyst structures on the right and 1 on the left.  Although it is common practice for radiology techs not to indicate the outcome, because we indicated prior to the test that she had a history of cysts, the tech confirmed there were multiple cysts on this U/S and of course we would receive the final radiologist report in a few days.  I do not understand how her labs can be normal but the u/s abnormal.  I'm sure we will need to follow up again with needle guided biopsy.  But my daughter is extremely frustrated with this being an ongoing process.  Should we just consider surgery to remove partial thyroid or continue with this frustrating cycle?

[banditmom]

Update on our situation....the Dr after receiving the final U/S report sent her straight to the surgeon.  She is scheduled for surgery to remove the right side of her thyroid.  The surgeon indicated that as long as they do not remove the 2 para thyroid glands she would not require medication UNLESS her follow up labs were abnormal.  The surgeon did not feel that the headaches, hair loss, or weight gain were symptoms of the thyroid.  His only concern was the swelling of her neck and if it was affecting her swallowing.  She did report that when the swelling was at the worst, yes she did have difficulty swallowing.  This appeared to be the main reason he scheduled the surgery.  Now we are both confused.

[banditmom]

She has never been placed on medication.  We have been told since she was 14 "just to watch it".  She had monthly Thyroid labs done the entire time she was pregnant but none were abnormal, they were within range being at the low end of normal.  I have oftened wondered based on what I read that perhaps the medication would work to shrink the cysts.....but no one has ever agreed with this...just suggested "at a later date we might consider medication"  I think she has slipped through the cracks.

[898]

The benign cysts can be treated with PEI instead of surgery; some long standing large cysts require repeat treatment.

[Shherry]

I'd be anxious to hear others opinions on this myself.  I too have a slightly enlarged thyroid (both sides) and a small nodule and have many thyroid symptoms.  I'm still a bit confused by the whole thing.  I am supposed to start taking Synthroid to try and shrink the nodule and have it recheck in 6 months to make sure it hasn't grown.  It's just below the size that they would normally biopsy.

Is your daughter on any medication at this point?