About Karen Brawner Expertise I will answer any questions you have regarding the thyroid whether it be cancer, cysts (types), hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, blood tests for thyroid problems, surgery, fine needle biopsies etc...
Experience My complex cysts on my right thyroid gland and the isthmus were found my accident when my doctor thought I was having a TIA. The ultrasound found a complex cysts the size of a golf ball (which turned out to be the size of a tennis ball when it was surgically remove). Doctors were totally surprised because for 5 years, including the day I went to surgery, all of my thyroid blood work was "within the normal range". So much for blood work being conclusive..
Question my doctor has said that my thyroid has nodules on it, how larger an operation is it to remove them? and will there be much of a scar? also the doctor said i will need a cat scan or c-t scan they are the same thing i think. did you have breathing problems or choking or tightness in and around the throat area? thank you for any information yours claire mayhew.
Answer Dear Claire, Yes, I had choking problems, tightness in the throat, change in pitch of voice and breathing problems with my nodules.....
Yes, you need a ct-scan and maybe even an ultrasound of the thyroid.... My doctor did an ultrasound FIRST which determined the nodules and that they were complex cysts.. Then they did the radioactive iodine UPTAKE ct-scan to determine the activity of that right thyroid gland...
The surgeons do NOT just remove the nodules... This is NOT possible... The entire thyroid gland that the nodules are on (right or left thyroid gland) will have to be completely removed.... Scaring will depend on wht the surgeon finds when he/she gets into the thyroid area, how large the thyroid is with the nodules on it, but they always try to keep the incision as small as possible and try to conceal it in a wrinkle in the throat... It is NOT always possible, however....
Let me know when you have the ct-scan and also let me know if you have already had the ultrasound and what it said... I can then maybe give you more insight.
