Thyroid nodule on scan?

Hi. II was diagnosed with parathyroid adenoma and went to the surgeon for a pre-op visit. He did an ultrasound to confirm what the scans showed, and not only saw the adenoma, but a nodule on one side of the thyroid as well. He referred me for a FNA biopsy which I had last Friday. It was not pleasant, but not as bad as a uterine biopsy I had last summer at this time. Here's what I can tell you:

A tech did several ultrasounds. Then the radiologist came it. They gave me lidocaine just below my collar bone. Three injections. Much like at the dentist with novacain, but stings more, I think because they had swabbed the area with an alcohol cleaner. Then they go in with a very fine needle, smaller than what is used for a blood draw. There was a fair amount of feeling pushing and pressure, almost like if someone was pushing against your throat, but without a choking feeling. They did four needles, and with each they go in and push it around several times while pulling cells into the syringe. I was able to see the ultrasound screen, but honestly it is just a buck of fuzzy black and white, although I could see the image of the needle. I would say that there is more discomfort than pain. When they were done we waited while a pathology person verified that they had adequate samples (wouldn't want to go back again). Then they cleaned up the gel, put a bandaid on and off I went. I was stiff and sore on that side of my neck for two days, and the day of the procedure there was discomfort when I would cough, but at worst might have been at a three or four pain level. I think the worst part is the waiting for results. In hindsight, the Friday of a holiday weeked was a poor choice. They told me it would be about 48 hours for results. That means anywhere from Sunday if you count Friday and the weekend, to Thursday if time doesn't start until Tuesday. I have no idea, other than no call today. My husband is in health care, and after seeing the image ourselves, it was a somber weekend. We try not to play Dr. Google, but I am dreading the results, hoping for the best. But I digress. About the biopsy--everyone is different as is their condition, pain tolerance, etc. But I would say it was less painful than getting a crown or the uterine biopsy if that helps at all. Oh--I was worried about needing to swallow or cough or sneeze during it. Each sampling goes pretty fast, and I worried about that for nothing. Good luck!

I went yesterday for my biopsy results after being told they would be back but they weren't available. I was told to go have a coffee whilst they tried to locate them. We have two hospitals that are supposed to be "one" where we are sent for appointments to either but they don't seem to have a linked computer system. Anyway we went back to see the consultant a second time and he explained he'd rang the lab and asked for someone to take a look. He said he will telephone me with the results. He said to me "we've already discussed what will happen if it comes back the same and it's surgery". I said we'll cross that if it does as I really don't want anymore surgery.

He said he'd ring today or Monday. I'm actually worn out now with it all. I was sent urgent to ent as per the mdt and I'm still waiting now. It's been ongoing since the first week of March and it's June now. I feel like a black cloud is hanging and my anxiety levels are at breaking point. No one seems to know anything. The whole system needs changing because it just does not work and actually harms people's mental state with waiting for results. If you are sent urgent I assume the cancer pathway then it does not work.

I also don't understand how my nodule is something to operate on if I get another non diagnostic biopsy result. As I have read my chances of cancer are reduced with 2 non diagnostics if there are no suspicious features on the scan and I understand it's a u3 scan nodule but from what I've read u3 is just inderterminate. It's solid, more blood flow than like to see, about 12 mm by 11mm and my tsh is normal. Is that meaning suspicious.......suspicious enough for surgery? Is it because it's right next to my main artery that goes to my brain. If it is surely surgery is risky too or are all nodules next to that artery.

I'm waffling now cos I psyched myself up and I'm upset at the system. I hope he calls today.

Thanks Cindy. I have taken it all well up to yet but today has been my worst day. I have called everyone in the system. It needs changing cos it doesn't work. There is no communication between them all. Consultants obviously don't know how the system works, appoinments are sent out and wasted because diagnostics are struggling. Results aren't back on time even marked urgent, cancer targets aren't being met because of all this.

I have even said today to my husband it seems political because the election is coming up because I have never known it this bad. I have rang my consultants secretary 20 or more times today (and other days ) and she never answers. I know I'm moaning now but it's too stressful. I was told to ring her too...the nurse in the room yesterday when i told her that his secretary never answers actually remarked....she is answering now!!!!!! Oh ok.

Anyway I am sorry for banging on here. I just don't like being let down. My trust is gone now.

Well damn, my second biopsy is also non diagnostic thy1 result. I have spoken to the consultant and he said we are no further on than last time. I told him and his secretary I don't want surgery and he said there were other options after hearing this, one being the core biopsy and the other to rescan in 3 months.I don't really want the core biopsy either now after reading about seeding so we are going down the road of rescan after all this. If it remains the same we leave it but if it's changed we do the core.

I know some will think I'm mad and he did say people want to know but I'm not one,I had no idea of this and I'm still left with my pain at the back of my head and swallowing problems (thought to be eustation tube probs).I have tho for the first time mentioned this to him after he agreed to the rescan but he didn't really comment.

I just would like something that would clear all that up but obviously something I have to live with which is manageable with pain killers and regular massage and jaw thrusts and excessive swallowing. I do worry about that though and always thought something was going on there.

I didn't refuse anything but just said I really don't want surgery to know and I think he would have encouraged it if he really thought it was cancer, its a "maybe" nodule. I did ask if it was hindering any structures and I said about it being close to the main artery and he agreed, it is but ok obviously or else he would have said.

Just have to wait and hope it goes away lol. I could have been booked in fir surgery maybe but I'm here still and accept the consequences if it is something but from what I've read, if it's cancer it's slow growing and 3 months isn't going to make too much difference.

Well I finally plucked up the courage to see my doctor but must admit it was to ask about hrt at first but couldn't help mentioning my thyroid nodule.

They didn't have anything on record other than I was being sent for another biopsy. No results or anything since. I told her it came back the same but I was waiting 12 weeks from beginning June to have another and had told them I did not want surgery or core biopsy yet!

I then asked about thyroid problems other than "cancer" as I had researched thyroid hashimoto's. I told her I had so many symptoms and also some can have it but have a normal tsh. She asked if I had thyroid antibodies done and I said no and she said they would do them but also she wanted parathyroid bloods with calcium etc.

Looking up parathyroid issues I note that it's to do with high (or low) calcium levels and some research does connect them to salivary stones which I have recently over the last couple of years had 3 of them.

I feel things are moving a bit now and also wonder if my nodule is actually not a thyroid nodule but a parathyroid a demons instead. It seems they often cannot distinguish between the two on ultrasound. I really need to speak to my consultant. My head is spinning again.

If it's a parathyroid ademnoma then surgery corrects and I will feel better. Just need to get my bloods done to see what my levels are. Going Wednesday next week.

I had a parathyroid adenoma, Karenskip.  Mine was found when I got Graves Disease and went to see an endocrinologist.  He noticed my raised blood calcium, which I had been aware of for at least 7 years, and diagnosed the adenoma.  Because I reacted to the medications for Graves Disease, I had my thyroid out at the same time as the adenoma.

If you do have an adenoma, make sure you ask them to check your other parathyroids when you have the op, it can be more than one and not all adenomas show up on scans.

Best of luck,

Anne

Hi Karen,

Hope you are doing well now, did you ever find out at last?