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what could I do for thyroid nodules

I had an ultrasound of my thyroid and they found multiple small nodules. I was sent to a surgeon to have a biopsy but he said they were very small and looked fine on the ultrasound so no biopsy was needed. He wants another ultrasound done next year. All  my blood levels were in the normal range, which one doctor said bordered on being more high than low. For a while I had rapid heartbeats and panic attacks that wouldn't stop and started taking toprol and anti-anxiety meds but nothing really worked for about 9 months then I started getting better. No one seems to know what to give me to help with these symptoms. What would you recommend I take or do to help these nodules quit affecting my thyroid. I am 48 and pre-menopausal to menopausal and on a low dosage birth control pill for large fibroids. Any ideas what to take or do to get straightened out. Thanks.
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649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
How do you feel that these nodules are affecting your thyroid, if your blood tests are normal?  You said "nothing worked for about 9 months, then I started getting better".  What symptoms do you still have.

Can you post your most recent thyroid lab results?  You should have TSH, Free T3 and Free T4.  Please include the lab ranges since these vary from lab to lab, so must come from your own report.  

Many of us have nodules on our thyroid.  Have you been tested for antibodies to confirm or rule out an autoimmune disease?  
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Avatar universal
Doctors won't generally do a biopsy on thyroid nodules unless they are greater than 1 cm in diameter (about .5 inch if you don't do metric).  A lot of people (some researchers estimate up to 50% of the population) have small nodules on their thyroids.  They generally aren't a cause for concern.  Since your lab values are in the normal range, the nodules probably aren't affecting anything, at least not consistently.  It's a good idea to follow up with the doctor and have regular ultrasounds to ensure the nodules don't get any bigger.  

I know it's anxiety inducing to have someone tell say you have a growth on one of your organs, but please try to remain calm.  Most of the time, these nodules are benign overgrowths of normal thyroid tissue or cysts.  If you begin having anxiety attacks and heart palpitations again, you should go back to the doctor to have your thyroid hormone levels checked again, but (aside from your ultrasounds) that's probably all that's medically warranted right now.

Good luck to you!
Twisted Helix
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Avatar universal
Heart palps and anxiety can all be a part of approaching menopause.  I went thru that as well. Now that I am beyond menopause, things are better.  It could also be caused by a thyroid disorder or a combination of the two.  Just keep following up with your doctor.  I can remember reading something about a new treatment for large fibroids.  I didn't pay too much attention to it but will try to find it.  Birth control pills make me nervous but shouldn't they lessen your menopause symptoms.  I guess this would be a topic for another forum!
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Avatar universal
I'm going to throw in another question here:

If ones thyroid hormones are at a normal level consistently, does that mean that nodules are nothing to worry about?

That doesn't really make sense to me but I'm interested to hear any responses.

Good luck to the op.  I look forward to reading more replies.
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649848 tn?1534633700
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