FNA/Inconclusive Results... where next?

[SarahWatho]

Hi, I found this group last night and having had a disheartening day at my local hospital with ENT Consultant.

About 6 years ago my GP told me I was borderline Hypo and put me on regular bloodtests for 6 months, the last two of which came back normal. So she advised it may have been stress, so to see how I went. About 2 years ago I started with symptoms of hypo but was dealing again with alot of stress. First nursing my Dad through terminal cancer and then 6 months after loosing him, my husband got diagnosed with bowel cancer, my thoughts were in caring for him not myself.

I finally went to my GP last summer, he did one thyroid blood test and told me my thyroid was fine but I was severely anemic, so put me on iron.

In the mean time, a dentist who was removing my wisdom teeth found a lump on my thyroid and sent me for an ultrasound, the results were given to my GP so I was referred to ENT. On my first visit to ENT they told me the ultrasound had been lost so I needed it repeating, which I did. I then went back to be told, the lumps weren't all cystic, one had microcalcification in. So I needed a FNA, where the consultant told me that one lump had microcalcificaitons in and another was completely calcified.

A month later I've had the FNA, returned to ENT to be told its inconclusive so needs repeating in the next 3 weeks, so I have to return to them in 6 weeks to see what the results are. But they may still be inconclusive as they're getting alot of those currently!!

I've also been told today I have fibroids and possible enodmetrosis of my womb, so need to also be referred to a Gyno, could this be linked to my thyroid?

My consultants keep telling me its ok, nothing to worry about. Very unlikely to be cancerous, its just a routine thing to confirm my lumps are Stage 1 (benign) rather than Stage 2-4 (different levels of certainty of cancer).

I'm loosing the will to live with it all and am obviously really worried. I've considered going private to see if I can get some answers, if someone will look at the complete picture of whats going on, and find out exactly what my nodules are.

If anyone has any advise on what to do next it would be welcome, but 4 trips to the GP and be dismissed as its just anaemia (which I still am despite 7 months of iron tablets) and my throid is fine, I don't feel going back there is an option. If anyone knows any midlands based private consultants who maybe of use please pm me.

Thanks

[Silver_Fairy]

Sorry to hear about your Father and husband.

The first thing to do is to get print outs of any tests done. Have you had B12, Folate, Ferritin and Vit D tested? If not ask if they can be done.

Gynie problems can be down to hypothyroidism (not sure which)

[SarahWatho in reply to Silver_Fairy]

I've asked for print outs and not had them given. I'm going back to my GP on Monday and will ask for the print out to be given to me before I leave. I'll also ask about B12, FOlate, Ferritin and Vit D. I find they're reluctant as they don't 'believe' theres anything wrong!

I'd also read about gynie problems and hypo thyroid, such as heavy periods (which I have).

Thanks

[Clutter]

SaraWatho,

95% of nodules FNA biopsied are found to be benign. FNA testing can be a bit hit and miss and it isn't uncommon to have 2 or 3 inconclusive FNA biopsies. If you have 3 inconclusive biopsies your ENT may advise hemilobectomy (partial thyroidectomy) to remove the lobe with the calcified nodule. The larger sample can then be tested and a conclusive benign or malignant diagnosis made.

Throid nodules don't usually affect thyroid hormone levels. What are your recent thyroid results and ranges? Ask your GP receptionist to check whether thyroid peroxidase antibodies have been tested too and for the results and ranges if they have.

Email [e-mail] for a list of member recommended endocrinologists but bear in mind s/he will not be able to diagnose from inconclusive FNAs and will have to order another FNA.

If you are still anaemic 7 months after supplementing iron it sounds as though you are not taking sufficient iron. You can aid absorption of iron by taking 1,000mg vitamin C with each iron tablet.

There may be a connection between thyroid, fibroids and endometriosis. google.co.uk/search?q=Are+f...

[webar4780]

I can not offer any advice.

I just want you to know i'm so sorry you are experiencing such poor 'care' from your GP.

You are not alone. Many of us suffer badly from poor medic attitudes lack of empathy understanding...

I am changing my GP of 27 yrs. The last 2 yrs I needed her support and fought my own corner. I arrived here.

You will be helped a lot on this site. You are in the right community here. We all learn a lot. Share much. And support one another.

Good luck.

[SarahWatho]

Thanks for your support. I do take additional vitamins (including a Vit C tablet with my morning iron dose) I think I'll not overcome the anemia until the uterine fibroids are sorted, so will keep taking the tablets.

However I went to see a different GP this morning and actually felt he listened to my concerns, he's sending me for another blood test, FBC, thyroid function, thyroid antibody, B12 and follate test. He also didn't dismiss the fibroids being related to a thyroid issue and seemed more concerned about my nodules than my other GP! Hes going to chase the hospital to find out what happening with my second FNA.

as least I feel heard and that something is being done however slowly. Isn't that what we all want?