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Parathyroid or thyroid nodule?

Posted , 9 users are following.

mentat
mentat

Hi all,

I have been experiencing some mild non-specific hyperparathyroidism symptoms for a couple of months now - joint and bone pain, headaches, heart palpitations, brain fog, depression and fatigue. The GP brushed my complaints off, so I went and got private lab tests for calcium, parathormone and Vitamin D. Calcium is just slightly elevated (10.8 with the upper bound of 10.2), parathormone is 78 (upper bound 61) and Vitamin D is 11.2 (lower bound 30). I got also a private thyroid ultrasound scan showing a 15mm x 12mm nodule in the left lobe (which I was told to be a common finding and not to worry). I saw the GP once more with the results and she diagnosed this as a winter-time vitamin D deficiency causing elevated hormone and calcium levels and prescribed multivitamins and re-assessment in 6 months time, or to return for an antidepressant prescription if I am not feeling better.

?I do not want to self-diagnose, but I've been taking vitamins for almost a month now and it does not really get any better. Could it be that the thyroid nodule noticed on the ultrasound is actually a parathyroid adenoma, causing my symptoms? Or would a good ultrasound technician know the difference immediately?

?I am female, 34.

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • marilyn10235
    marilyn10235 mentat

    Posted

    Hi Mentat

    A consultant radiographer reads all ultrasound radiographs and would have an idea as to whether you would need FNA & biopsy. If so they would have sent a letter to your doctor to ask them to refer you for FNA. So I would imagine you are ok.

    If it was showing as a nodule in the left lobe of the thyroid it is likely a Goitre, maybe a multi nodular Goitre (MNG). Which is obviously a Thyroid condition not Parathyroid.

    Go back to your doctor & ask them to advise you & explain what the ultrasound means.

    You cannot self diagnose! Unless you have a medical doctorate.

    You quite obviously need your doctor to put your mind at rest, so please go see him/her

    All the best

    Marilyn

    XX

  • alan65290
    alan65290 mentat

    Posted

    Just to get things straight.  I live in the UK and I am not a doctor.  I guess you live in the States.  If that is the case then contact the Norman Parathyroid Centre which is based in Tampa Florida.  Your results would indicate to me hyperparathyroidism and this can be checked with an App they make a small charge for.  They will definitely be able to help you out and their site is a must to visit for anybody wherever they live.  The other site to join is Sallie Powell's Facebook site 'Hyperparathyroidism UK Action4Change'.  This is a great site for support and getting answers to questions.  Don't give up and don't rely on your GP - it's apparent to me that many doctors do not understand this disease.  Kind regards.  Alan.

  • yvette97601
    yvette97601 mentat

    Posted

    Hi i had exactly the same symptoms last year along with severe breathlessness doc was the same with me.turned out i had a 4cm thyroid nodule and ill say this hun they say they dont cause symptoms but mine did and i know this because as soon as i had it removed my symptoms all improved xx I hope this helps hun and my thyroid bloods always came back with in their so called normal range even though they fluctuated xx
    • Croge
      Croge yvette97601

      Posted

      Hi

      i have just seen your post, I have nodules in both sides of thyroid, on ultra sound the right side was classed as suspicious by the radiographer and poss malignant, I had biopsies done on both sides privately and came back as benign, I was obviously so relieved,they are going to review me in 3 months, I no iced that you said that after removal your symptoms went,would you mind telling me what the of symptoms you had,as I still have all that I went to the doctors for in the first place,although they say nodules don't cause symptoms,my thyroid bloods are normal,but it's swallowing,hot sweats,aching joints and more recently breathlessness,hope you are now fully recovered

    • yvette97601
      yvette97601

      Posted

      Hi yes my symptoms were the same as yours a long with pains in my neck i was also told nodules dont cause symptoms but they definetly do i could even feel it when i swallowed like something was in my throat and all symptoms had gone with in a couple of weeks of gaving it removed and some as soon as i woke from the operation i hope you feel better soon xx

      My thyroid bloods always came back as in normal range but fluctuated xx

  • karenskip
    karenskip mentat

    Posted

    Hi mentat

    I also have just found out I have a thyroid nodule. No idea of anything else but I have been told I need a fine needle biopsy of it. Mine is just over a centimetre . Is yours a hot or cold nodule or don't you know? Did you show your gp your actual scan report? Did it say your nodule was actually on or in the thyroid? Did they report anything about your parathyroid?

  • maggie7848
    maggie7848 mentat

    Posted

    Hyperparathyroid UK Action4Change

    Hi mentat I had several scans before they picked up the tumour . You are not going crazy . Go back to your GP and don't be but off . The above and an a American site called Parathyroid . Maggie

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