wait and see

[tiredofwaiting66]

I have had 2 thyroid ultrasounds in 2 months.  The last one showed 2 small right sided thyroid nodules.  One small solid nocule towars the lower pole on the right, 9x5 mm and a small one toward the lower pole on the right which appears cystic at 3.2 mm.  The cyctic one was not shown on the US 2 months ago.  The Dr and the test says follow up in 4-6 months but I am worried.  What is the next step or should I not worry about it?

[cynlynne]

I too have gone through the same thing.  I was very scared when nodules were first discovered.  In reality I completely freaked out.  I went in for a few ultrasounds and a FNA which came back inconclusive.  I began doing a little research and  spoke with any doctor or nurse who would listen.  I finally calmed down when I understood that most nodules are benign.  Also that problems with the thyroid are pretty slow moving.  I took a deep breath and relaxed. My doctor told me that I had a few choices. I could have it surgically removed or we could watch it and see.  I wasn't really all that excited about surgery so we've been watching it for the last four or five years.  My last ultrasound is starting to show changes to my thyroid and the last FNA results are showing atypical cells. I'm now looking a surgery (still not very happy about it).  They way I see it is that I got to have an extra 4 or 5 years without a scar!
I guess my advice to you would be to take a deep breath and realize that problems with the thyroid usually progress slowly and that about 90% of nodules are benign.  Also listen to your "gut feelings", not your fears (I know at times can be pretty hard to separate).  I found that when I listen to mine, I am rarely disappointed.
I wish you the best of luck!

[teacher40]

I was diagnosed with a multinodular goiter and can also feel it by touch.  I have had a nuclear scan to show if the nodulars are hot or cold.  I had an ultrasound first.  After the scan and because one of the nodulars was a little bigger than 1 cm the endo decided I needed to have a FNB.  I was scared to death.  Mine came back benign but I still fear cancer there.  The endo told me to come back in about 5 months.  I have to have another ultrasound before I go.  She said that is to check if any have grown and or if there are more.  One of the nodules was hyperactive but my blood tests say it is not affecting my thyroid levels yet.  So I just have to wait and see like you.  Part of me wishes they would just surgically remove it.  I am continually feeling it and I swear I feel it when I swallow sometimes, but my dr. says no it is too small.  I don't know if this helps or not.