Thyroid Cancer.....an interesting read

[Margo]

Dr. Mercola posted today, an interesting read whether you had thyroid cancer or not.

articles.mercola.com/sites/...

[Fruitandnutcase]

You're right, very interesting article, thanks Margo.

[Clutter]

Margo, there have been several articles about thyCa overdiagnosis recently. It troubles me slightly in that ultrasound scans can detect micro papillary tumours but I thought FNA and core biopsy were needed to determine whether the tumour is benign or malignant. I'd like to see improved FNA testing so less indeterminate results lead to unnecessary hemilobectomies and complete thyroidectomies.

Helvella posted an article a while back about a young Indian woman who had genetic testing which showed she may be predisposed to hyperthyroidism. She had an elective thyroidectomy to avoid it. Can you imagine? Begs the question as to whether she was advised of the risks of surgery and lifelong hypothyroidism.

[Margo in reply to Clutter]

I read Helvella's article re the Indian woman, yes astonishing.

I know you had thyroid cancer as I have, mine was papillary, that was ten years ago. It has been a hard slog to try to have any kind of reasonable health, but feeling a lot better since learning about this wonderful site, and all the helpful advice and comments.

[Clutter in reply to Margo]

Margo, Mine was Hurthle Cell carcinoma picked up after hemilobectomy as the tumour was compressing my trachea. FNA had been inconclusive. The other lobe was removed later and was cancer free.

It was Hashimoto's, not cancer, which was making me very ill but I had no treatment as TSH was 2.30. I was better after thyroidectomy when there were no more Hashi attacks and I was on T3. Things were very bad on T4 only after RAI but I'm much better now on T4+T3 combination.

[Margo]

Gosh Clutter yours sounds very complicated and more serious than mine. However, either way it isn't fun having a cancer diagnosis. I believe I have had thyroid problems all my life but never diagnosed causing serious health problems right through my life, I have never known what it is like to be well. That said at 62 things are better than they ever were. The more I learn on this site and others the more I can help myself.

Where would we be without the internet and all the invaluable advice.