Autoimmune fear

[Chanthoi]

Hi everyone, i m new to this grp.I joined this group because my father has been having some thyroid related problems recently and i desperately need some consultation. The doctors suggested that it might be thyroid carcinoma. So as advised we tested T3, T4 , TSH and Tg levels. The result came out as T3 to be 1.52, T4 to be 106.4,TSH to be 2.64 &Tg t o be 13........Is the result showing risk? Please i really need some urgent consultation.

[greygoose]

Sorry, but we need the ranges for those results. They are meaningless without the ranges.

[Chanthoi in reply to greygoose]

i will attach the report with my post please look over it

[greygoose in reply to Chanthoi]

ok

[Chanthoi in reply to greygoose]

i have attached the report please look into it

[greygoose in reply to Chanthoi]

Clutter has given you a very good analysis below, and I agree with her. It just remains to test his TPO antibodies, to see if he has Hashi's.

Why do you say he's been having 'thyroid related' problems? What makes you think it's his thyroid? Have his nutrients been tested : vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin? If they are low, they can cause hypo-like symptoms.

[Chanthoi in reply to greygoose]

The doctors said that there is nodule formation in thyroid when tested

[greygoose in reply to Chanthoi]

OK, so nodules are pretty commonplace - I've got a lot of them. Is it very large? If so, have they done a fine needle biopsy, as Clutter suggests?

It's difficult for anyone to tell you if removing the thyroid would help, if they don't know the problem. Just having a nodule is not a reason to remove the thyroid, if it's not cancerous. And, nodules don't normally cause symptoms. Has he been having symptoms? You don't really give us much information on all this.

[Chanthoi in reply to greygoose]

the nodule has jst started to develop and is not too big. In the past few days his temparature went above 100°C for about twice and he also had headache, consyipation and loss of appetite

[greygoose in reply to Chanthoi]

That sounds more like a bug than thyroid problems. Temperature would not go over 100°C if he were hypos. Headache and loss of appetite could be absolutely anything. Constipation is a hypo symptom, but it doesn't come on suddenly.

If his nodule is small, I don't see why your doctor should be worrying you with tales of thyroid carcinoma, that's most unfair. Is his thyroid swollen? Most people have some nodules, even those with no thyroid problems. I don't see why your GP leapt to the conclusion of thyroid problems, with just those symptoms.

[Chanthoi in reply to greygoose]

fine needle aspiration cytology was done and they confirmed to be thyroid nodule

[Chanthoi in reply to Chanthoi]

i will attach the cytology test report..please look over it

[greygoose in reply to Chanthoi]

You cannot attach a second photo on this thread, you will have to start a new one, I'm afraid.

[greygoose in reply to Chanthoi]

Well, yes, it would be a thyroid nodule. That's not really a diagnosis, is it. And, if it's still small, I'm amazed they agreed to do it. Just having a nodule is not a problem in itself. His labs are euthyroid, so it's not a hot nodule - one that produces hormone. Was it positive or negative for cancer?

[Chanthoi in reply to greygoose]

i have attached the report. They confirmed it to be papillary thyroid carcinoma

[greygoose in reply to Chanthoi]

Why didn't you say that straight away? Did he only just get that report?

I would imagine that he would need to have his thyroid out, then, yes. Then he would be hypo, and need thyroid hormone replacement for the rest of his life, and his TSH kept suppressed, so that the thyroid didn't grow back again.

I'm very sorry that his diagnosis is cancer, but he stand an excellent chance of beating it, and living a long and healthy life. Take care.

[Chanthoi in reply to greygoose]

Thnk u so much for ur kind suggestions

[greygoose in reply to Chanthoi]

You're welcome.

[humanbean in reply to Chanthoi]

Make sure to hide any personal, identifiable details.

[Chanthoi in reply to humanbean]

done

[Chanthoi]

ok

[Clutter]

Chanthoi,

If your father has a suspicious thyroid nodule he should have an ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration biopsy to check for malignancy. 95% of thyroid nodules are benign.

Thyroglobulin antibodies are negative for autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto's). Were thyroid peroxidase antibodies ever tested because some people have positive antibodies confirming Hashimoto's.

Thyroid antibodies do not cause thyroid cancer, and thyroid cancer doesn't usually cause abnormal thyroid levels and symptoms.

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) 2.64 indicates thyroid is beginning to struggle. Free T3 is under half way through range and total T4 is mid-range.

[Chanthoi in reply to Clutter]

Thyroid peroxidase was not tested. Will the removal of thyroid be of any help?

[Clutter in reply to Chanthoi]

Chanthoi,

Has thyroid cancer been confirmed? If not, there is no need for thyroidectomy.

[Chanthoi in reply to Clutter]

i am attaching the cytology test report please look over it

[Clutter in reply to Chanthoi]

Chanthoi,

The left thyroid lobe on which the papillary cancer is present should certainly be removed (hemilobectomy). There isn't enough information to determine whether total thyroidectomy is required. Size of malignant tumour and your father's age are determinants in whether there is a high risk of the cancer spreading to the right thyroid lobe and isthmus. Your father's doctors should be able to advise whether hemilobectomy or thyroidectomy is recommended.