Thyroid nodules - what happens next..?

I've had an enlarged goiter for awhile now (found by a routine physical) yet I have normal thyroid results. I switched PCP's recently and she also could feel the goiter. I have A LOT of hypothyroid symptoms... which seem to get worse over time. I'm always cold, memory loss (never had it so bad), dry skin, coarse hair, inability to lose weight, constipated all the time.. (tmi) - severe menstrual cramps and irregular as well, trouble concentrating, fatigue, among other symptoms. I sometimes have shortness of breath and have a random cough that comes and goes.. I sometimes choke on my own saliva! i also notice my neck feels 'tight' when i lay down, like i may choke or feel like i can't breathe. I had an ultrasound that showed 2 nodules.. My PCP referred me for a second opinion with an endocrinologist. My appointment is on the 29th.





What should I expect with this appointment? Will they do a biopsy there at the appointment if they feel that it's necessary? Is it normal to have an enlarged goiter and all these symptoms with normal results? Can they tell what kind of nodules it is from the ultrasound? And would the ultrasound have been able to tell if the enlarged gland is what is causing the tight feeling in my neck %26amp; coughing..


so many questions, i know !!





thanks !!Thyroid nodules - what happens next..?
Colon cleansing is the new technique to reduce weight. Scientists have highlighted the point that not all unwanted weight is thanks to additional fat, a great deal of weight just sits there in the pipes, and all you have to do is rinse it out. http://cenapt.yourdailydiet.info has a risk free trial on currently, give it a go, you can reduce as much as twenty pounds!Thyroid nodules - what happens next..?
I have nodules on my thyroid and I also had a goiter (due to hypothyroidism). With my endocrinologist appt they scheduled me for an ultrasound on my thyroid. They also did lab work and all that. I have had a few ultrasounds for it. All have shown nodules, but they aren't getting bigger. I think they said they were solid nodules, not fluid filled. They are just watching them to make sure they don't get bigger or turn into cancer.
They likely will not do a tissue biopsy in-office, but very often will attempt an ';aspiration'; or ';needle biopsy'; to see if you have fluid-filled sacs on your thyroid.


They will most probably take blood for analysis, including TSH, T3, T4 and Thyroid Antibodies among others to get a full picture of your thyroid functions.


They may well schedule a tissue biopsy to be performed under general anesthesia. If they want to perform the tissue biopsy in-office and you are uncomfortable with that, request to have it done under anesthesia. (I would)


Ultrasound will often show if your trachea/esophagus are being compressed by the enlarged thyroid.


Chances are, that is exactly the cause of the tightness and choking/dyspnea you are experiencing.


Don't worry too much - since all your prior thyroid function test results are normal you may simply have cysts (more common) that are benign.


Even benign cysts/growths are often surgically removed due to the effects on the trachea, and very often we take the entire affected lobe of the thyroid in order to remove the growth.


The thyroid is very intricately made, and it is frequently better to remove the entire lobe to ensure that the growth is definitively excised from the body.


Good luck to you - let us know how it all works out.
It sounds like you haven't had an ultrasound yet, so they will probably make you get one. The endocrinologist should palpate your neck to see if they feel goiter, and they will probably order some blood tests too. I highly doubt they would do a biopsy before seeing the ultrasound results, they might just watch it. An ultrasound can tell if the nodules are solid, calcified, or cystic in nature. Try not to worry, good luck!