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December 2010 Moms
jillybean800
member
Had an ultrasound today...
jillybean800
member
Ha, did I fool you? I had an ultrasound on my thyroid, not my uterus.
I think I have told you guys in the past that I am self-conscious about my neck because my thyroid is visible from the outside. But whenever I have had my levels checked, they always came back normal. After I weaned Ben though, my thyroid went insane and became even bigger. Now it's interfering with my breathing and swallowing. So I went to a doctor and he said that even if my levels are normal, my thyroid is working so hard to keep those levels that it's enlarged quite a bit to a goiter.
So today I had to get an ultrasound to check for nodules, how big it is, and if it is cancerous. I also got my armpit swelling looked at, although that has gone down quite a bit, and was probably a strained muscle tendon, according to the doc.
What I hate about ultrasounds is that they aren't allowed to tell you anything. So this woman keeps measuring these big black dots that are on the screen. So I'm like, what are those? She was like, oh I don't read the ultrasound, I just take pics. Yeah, but come on lady, what are you measuring? Are you just guessing that it might be something? You know they are nodules, you should be able to just say, "I'm measuring these nodules. The doctor will then tell you what to do." Bleh.
Also, did I mention that I have a phobia about things touching my neck? I can't even really wear turtlenecks and my H has never even been allowed to touch my neck. So I nearly had a panic attack on the table as they pressed the wand into my neck for about 20 mins 
Next step is probably a biopsy, and I'm pretty sure that I would rather die than have a needle put in my neck while I'm awake.
Sorry for this long word vomit of a post. Just had to get it all out there to calm my nerves.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Had an ultrasound today...
Ugh... awful. No fun AT ALL. Glad you are being proactive about it and taking the time and measures to get it all checked out. Hoping there's a quick and easy fix. I hate that it's interfering with your breathing and swallowing.
Hugs...
Sorry it was so scary Jilly! As you might remember, I've had this done a few times as well. I have to have my thyroid checked every 6 months because of my nodules. Yep, the black dots she was measuring were nodules. There are important things to remember though. Many, many, many people have nodules but only 5% are cancerous. Of those that are, nearly all are extremely curable. There are no "good" cancers but thyroid is one of the easiest to treat and has one of the very highest success rates. They will only biopsy nodules that have a dimension of 1cm or more (standard protocol) and have any of three more worrisome characteristics. (I *think* these are bloodflow to the nodule called vascularity, not circumscribed meaning the border is fuzzy and another I can't quite remember but I think it has to do with reflectivity - hypo verses hyperechogenic but I could be wrong.) My worrisome trait is vascularity to one particular nodule so that's why mine get biopsied a lot.
I had them biopsied with and without numbing. Honestly, I prefer the non-numbing now. It's much faster, the numbing needle hurts, and I have one near my windpipe meaning that was numbed also. It scared the pee out of me! You should ask though for what you're comfortable with.
If you do end of having them biopsied and get any results that are indeterminate (this is unfortunately frequent), there is a new test called Veracyte they can perform. I had this done so have some experience with it.
Hugs Jilly. I go back in April and I'm praying for now growth. T&Ps for you too and please, please let me know if I can answer any questions. Unfortunately I know way to much about this subject. (Cheekers might offer some insight as well as I know she deals with this stuff too.)
lrn, I thought it was you that had the nodules. Out of curiosity, is your thyroid enlarged at all? The doctor said I may have to get mine removed even if the nodules aren't cancerous because the growth is so out of control. TBH, that scares me, but the idea of having a normal looking neck again (minus a scar) is somewhat appealing...
I will definitely message you if I have any questions about the biopsy, if need be (I have a strong strong feeling this is the next step, but should find out tomorrow or monday).
This is the photo that made me get it checked out...the goiter is right under that line going across my neck. I didn't used to have a line in my neck. Ick. I'm also not as heavy as I look here, but my neck is so full it's making me look 20 lbs heavier than I am.
Mine is enlarged slightly more than average but only b/c of the addition of the nodules. I have two that are about 1.5cm and one that is under 1cm. Both of the large ones are on the right so that side is obviously larger. My levels have always been normal. My endo was seriously talking surgery last time b/c she was worried about the growth. Thankfully it came back benign though. If they bring it up again, and your nodules are benign, you can always ask about a partial. The likelihood that you'd need meds decreases a lot if they leave half. I was a little freaked out by the lifetime of thyroid meds if they took it all, but I'm probably worried for nothing. (You have family members on the meds right? I feel like we talked about that a few months ago.)
BFP #2 5/27/12. EDD 2/1/13. m/c and D&C 6/21/12.
ugh, how stressful! I hope you get good results back.
Keep us updated!!
Both my sisters have had half their thyroid removed. My mom has issues as well. I am praying I dodge that hereditary bullet!
I hope everything turns out normal or at least get some answers. Good luck!
Dx MTHFR (C677T & A1298C, Compound Heterozygous)
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Oh gravy! That's awful.
I've had two thyroid FNAs (biopsies). I can't lie to you. They were two of the less fun experiences in my life. My only advice would be to ask for va.lium or something beforehand to help with the nerves. I sooooo wish I would have. I won't share my full story because I don't want to freak you out. After you're done we can share war stories and battle scars!
((hugs))
I am so sorry you are dealing with this.
I also have thyroid issues. When I was 21 I mysteriously started gaining weight with no changes to diet, exercise, or lifestyle. When I went to have my levels checked I was at 56 (extremely hypo-thyroid; normal is 1-5). Just before I got my BFP with O, my OB felt some nodules and asked me to get them looked at-so I did. After the ultrasound my endo decided to run a couple of biopsies. Everything came back normal, but I get the ultrasound every year to check on growth and make sure there are no changes. As lrn and cheekers said, the biopsies are unpleasant but tolerable. I agree with both of them to skip the numbing meds and if you can get a ride take some kind of sedative before you go in.
Good Luck and many T&P's.