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Thyroid nodule Ultrasound
I have been having a hard time swallowing, and an even harder time breathing, especially doing daily activities. I was told I had a 1.5 cm hypodense nodule on my left thyroid. But my doctor said my nodule is small and should be causing those symptoms. I just had an ultrasound done, and would like to know if I can get some answers. Thank you so much for your help!!
https://youtu.be/ZAfU-sOm_CI
https://youtu.be/ZAfU-sOm_CI
Ultrasound results!!!!!
Right lobe of thyroid measures 5.3 x 1.7 x 2.4 cm and the left lobe measure 5.1 x 1.5 x 2.3cm. The isthmus measures 3.0 cm in thickness. Cyst in the mid portion of the right lobe .02 cm. HypoEchoic solid nodule in left lobe measures 1.4 x .09 x 1.1 cm
Right lobe of thyroid measures 5.3 x 1.7 x 2.4 cm and the left lobe measure 5.1 x 1.5 x 2.3cm. The isthmus measures 3.0 cm in thickness. Cyst in the mid portion of the right lobe .02 cm. HypoEchoic solid nodule in left lobe measures 1.4 x .09 x 1.1 cm
COMMUNITY LEADER
It depends on where the nodule is located as to whether it could/should cause problems with swallowing or breathing... Your doctor shouldn't make a blanket statement saying it definitely shouldn't cause problems because it's small...
The criteria has changed for biopsy (FNA), so it's likely you wouldn't get one until the nodule is 2 cm unless it has specific characteristics that make it suspicious enough to warrant an FNA.
I agree with Sarahjogs; if you have a copy of the ultrasound report, please copy it here for us, so we can see what the radiologist said, specifically, the impression or recommendation for follow-up.
The criteria has changed for biopsy (FNA), so it's likely you wouldn't get one until the nodule is 2 cm unless it has specific characteristics that make it suspicious enough to warrant an FNA.
I agree with Sarahjogs; if you have a copy of the ultrasound report, please copy it here for us, so we can see what the radiologist said, specifically, the impression or recommendation for follow-up.
Hi DaniCali,
I'm sorry you aren't feeling well. Do you have the report from your ultrasound? It will give more information like what size your thyroid lobes are and if there are multiple nodules present, as well as a description of your nodule, and help us more clearly understand your situation. Usually a radiologist will review the measurements/images from the ultrasound and send a report to your doctor along with a recommendation for follow-up (biopsy of nodule, future ultrasounds, etc.).
Lots of people have nodules and most (90-95%) of thyroid nodules are non-cancerous. Depending on the ultrasound reading, the doctor may recommend a biopsy to determine if your nodule is benign (if it is an"isoechoic" nodule, they usually won't do anything until it's 2cm, if it has suspicious characteristics like hypoechoic, hyperechoic, vascularization, or calcifications, they may do a biopsy if it is more than 1cm). If it is interfering with breathing and/or swallowing, they may skip the biopsy and go for a lobectomy or total thyroidectomy because it is very important to be able to breathe and eat!
Is your doctor who says it shouldn't be interfering with breathing a thyroid doctor or just primary care provider? It is possible they do not have all the information yet and are trying to diagnose based on the info they do have.
If I understand your post you do not have the information from the ultrasound yet, just know you have a 1.5 cm nodule? Without more information it is hard to tell whether a 1.5 cm nodule would cause a breathing problem or not... but at this point I wouldn't rule it out until you have all the info.
I have a 1.9 cm nodule on the front of my right thyroid that I can easily see in the mirror when I swallow - so if it was pointing the other way it definitely could interfere with my breathing and/or eating. I thought I had just 2 lumps on my thyroid before I had the ultrasound (one on the the right and a quite large one on the left behind my jugular vein/carotid artery). I found out at the ultrasound that I have an enlarged thyroid with lots of lumps, including one that points "posterior". My thyroid lobes are approximately 6cmx2cmx2cm (right) and 5.8cmx3cmx3cm (left) - a normal lobe is around 4cmx1.5cmx1.5cm, so if you have an enlarged thyroid (goiter) combined with a nodule, this could definitely cause breathing problems. Also depends on size of your neck, where the nodule is located, etc., and what is a problem for one person might be fine in someone else. In my case I very rarely have a "stuck in the throat" feeling swallowing (the nodule on the left is 2.8cm and kind of hanging off the bottom edge of my thyroid, but isn't interfering with anything, so I guess that's ok).
I hope you get a diagnosis soon - I'm not a medical doctor, so just telling you from my own experience what I think, but if you have problems both breathing and swallowing it sounds like something is definitely going on in your neck/throat. It could be swollen lymph nodes, enlarged thyroid or thyroid nodules, infection, allergic reactions, or other causes (I just did a quick google), but at this point I wouldn't rule out thyroid nodules as a cause until you get the full ultrasound report. (I can't tell anything from the video - I'm not a ultrasound tech or radiologist).
If you aren't already, I recommend seeing an ENT or other specialist to get a diagnosis because even if it isn't thyroid nodules causing an airway obstruction, it is important to determine what is ASAP. Good luck - let us know if you get an ultrasound report and we can try to help your interpret it.
I'm sorry you aren't feeling well. Do you have the report from your ultrasound? It will give more information like what size your thyroid lobes are and if there are multiple nodules present, as well as a description of your nodule, and help us more clearly understand your situation. Usually a radiologist will review the measurements/images from the ultrasound and send a report to your doctor along with a recommendation for follow-up (biopsy of nodule, future ultrasounds, etc.).
Lots of people have nodules and most (90-95%) of thyroid nodules are non-cancerous. Depending on the ultrasound reading, the doctor may recommend a biopsy to determine if your nodule is benign (if it is an"isoechoic" nodule, they usually won't do anything until it's 2cm, if it has suspicious characteristics like hypoechoic, hyperechoic, vascularization, or calcifications, they may do a biopsy if it is more than 1cm). If it is interfering with breathing and/or swallowing, they may skip the biopsy and go for a lobectomy or total thyroidectomy because it is very important to be able to breathe and eat!
Is your doctor who says it shouldn't be interfering with breathing a thyroid doctor or just primary care provider? It is possible they do not have all the information yet and are trying to diagnose based on the info they do have.
If I understand your post you do not have the information from the ultrasound yet, just know you have a 1.5 cm nodule? Without more information it is hard to tell whether a 1.5 cm nodule would cause a breathing problem or not... but at this point I wouldn't rule it out until you have all the info.
I have a 1.9 cm nodule on the front of my right thyroid that I can easily see in the mirror when I swallow - so if it was pointing the other way it definitely could interfere with my breathing and/or eating. I thought I had just 2 lumps on my thyroid before I had the ultrasound (one on the the right and a quite large one on the left behind my jugular vein/carotid artery). I found out at the ultrasound that I have an enlarged thyroid with lots of lumps, including one that points "posterior". My thyroid lobes are approximately 6cmx2cmx2cm (right) and 5.8cmx3cmx3cm (left) - a normal lobe is around 4cmx1.5cmx1.5cm, so if you have an enlarged thyroid (goiter) combined with a nodule, this could definitely cause breathing problems. Also depends on size of your neck, where the nodule is located, etc., and what is a problem for one person might be fine in someone else. In my case I very rarely have a "stuck in the throat" feeling swallowing (the nodule on the left is 2.8cm and kind of hanging off the bottom edge of my thyroid, but isn't interfering with anything, so I guess that's ok).
I hope you get a diagnosis soon - I'm not a medical doctor, so just telling you from my own experience what I think, but if you have problems both breathing and swallowing it sounds like something is definitely going on in your neck/throat. It could be swollen lymph nodes, enlarged thyroid or thyroid nodules, infection, allergic reactions, or other causes (I just did a quick google), but at this point I wouldn't rule out thyroid nodules as a cause until you get the full ultrasound report. (I can't tell anything from the video - I'm not a ultrasound tech or radiologist).
If you aren't already, I recommend seeing an ENT or other specialist to get a diagnosis because even if it isn't thyroid nodules causing an airway obstruction, it is important to determine what is ASAP. Good luck - let us know if you get an ultrasound report and we can try to help your interpret it.
Also, I am 29 years old and had a partial hysterectomy in 2016 due to placenta acretta!
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