Abnormal nodule. Follicular.

[CKdolbie]

Hi, I was diagnosed with Graves' disease & hyperthyroidism last year and I've recently found out I have an multiple nodules, after an FNA they have discovered it's abnormal THY3f and is follicular. They would like to remove it and possibly remove a partial lobe or a full thyroidectomy. I'm wondering what life is like after either or those? I'm told I'll have hyperthyroidism for life. Is that manageable or will I have knock on effects from this?

[Clutter]

CKdolbie,

Thy3f is inconclusive but suspicious for malignancy. A diagnostic hemithyroidectomy (partial thyroidectomy) is required for the larger tumour sample to be sent to histology for analysis.

When hemithyroidectomy is done only the lobe with the nodule is removed. If the tumour is benign the remaining thyroid lobe would be left in situ and expected to produce the thyroid hormone you require. If it did not, you would be prescribed Levothyroxine.

If the tumour is malignant depending on the size of tumour, type of cancer and your age, you may need a complete thyroidectomy which will make you hypothyroid immediately and you will require Levothyroxine thyroid replacement for life.