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 Last April, my endocrinologist diagnosed me with "thyroiditis." He said it was in "recovery". In August I had a follow-up appt; I had an ultrasound done. In November, three months later, I went for another follow-up appt., and found out that the previous ultrasound showed a small nodule on my thyroid! Per the doctor, he can't fit me in for an appt for the fine needle biopsy until February 2006. Is that too long? Should I see another doctor? All of my blood work for the past year has come back "normal".
Answer Dear Mia, First you must go to the hospital or medical facility where you had the ultrasounds done and get a copy of "ALL" of the radiology reports that pertain to the ultrasounds on your thyroid.... The report will/should tell you what type of nodule the radiologist thinks this is.... If it is a simple cyst, there is not a lot of worry... If it is a complex cyst then it contains fluid AND tissue and this would be more suspecious... If it is a SOLID mass, then this would be very suspecious.... However, single nodules tend to be more benign than cancerous, but still need examination by biopsy or surgical removal and then biopsy....
It is not too long to wait until February... You probably have a good doctor and it is NOT him that is making you wait, it is the radiology department and their back-up or scheduling that is causing the wait, so changing doctors will NOT help you one bit...
It is common for all blood tests to be "normal".... A nodule, cyst or mass will normally NOT change the production of thyroid hormones especially if it is small, and this is why I feel that all doctors should not only do the blood work, but also a thyroud ultrasound routinely...
If you get the radiology reports and need help with what they say, get back to me and I will try to help...
