Kari-It's Carisa. I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. I was just curious to see how things are going for you and what they have found? If anything.
Kari, I just saw on your profile that you are trying to have a baby. If you think you have symptoms of Hashimoto's (sore throat and nodule being two symptoms), please get your doctor to test your FT4, FT3 and TSH levels as well as those TGab and TPOab tests done right away. Hashimoto's will lead to hypothyroidism, which can cause miscarriage, infertility, premature delivery and learning delays in baby.
I did not know I had Hashimoto's when I delivered my baby two months early. She had learning delays the first three years. She's six and all caught up. If doctors would have tested my levels then and given me the correct thyroid hormone, then I could have carried her full term.
:) Tamra
Tamra, thank you SO much for your informative relpy! I really liked hearing that the biopsy for you was easier than the dentist!!! (I do hate going to the dentist! LOL) And wow, 7.0cm that sounds very large... puts mine into some perspective. Thx for sharing. I guess the fact that the nodule is causing me pain is what has me most freaked out. But it's a huge relief to hear how curable thyroid cancer is. Well I'm off to search "Hashimoto" on the interent! Thx again and well wishes to you and yours!!!
BTW - Thyroid cancer has a VERY high cure rate. :) Tamra
Every doc and surgeon is different. Some say that if the nodule is over 2.0, then get it removed because a biopsy won't get a good enough sample of the whole nodule. Your nodule is on the cusp right now. My mom had a big nodule, 7.0 cm. It was removed. It turns out she had Hashimoto's causing it.
Be sure to get your TGab and TPOab to determine if you have Hashimoto's. You might if you also have the symptoms: fatigue, anxiety, weight loss/gain, depression, unable to sleep, constipation, diarrhea, eye pain, ear pain, foot pain, leg pain, joint pain, rashes, GERD, heartburn, hair loss, dry skin/eyes...
Also, I had a biopsy done for three nodules, each under 1.0 cm. It was less painful than a trip to the dentist. They numb your neck. I drove myself. Now, sometimes, depending on where the nodule is, it could hurt a bit more, but most of the time it's simple.
My nodules are almost gone. I have Hashimoto's and my thyroid hormone replacement shrunk my nodules.
If you elect for surgery, please get a surgeon who does at least two thyroid operations per week, and who has a few years under his/her belt.
:) Tamra