Hoping someone else has been in my situation.

[Selom]

Hello, just wondering if anyone has been in the same situation, I found a lump in my neck back in June this year, had bloods done all came back normal,so drs left it at that, I still felt uneasy and went for second opinion, finally got a scan a few months later, showed a lump measuring 17mm and two pin prick lumps, then got referred to consultant, had a chat told me he wanted to do a biopsy, so a few weeks later had a needle in my neck along with another scan, this was two weeks ago yesterday, I get a phone call at work saying to go see them today, biopsy inconclusive, I have two options leave it for three months then have a scan to see if it has grown and do another biopsy, or have an operation remove the right side of my thyroid, then get this analysed, I’ve gone with the latter as I feel I’d rather know what I’m dealing with, the consultant said it’s all going in my favour but they can’t give me a definitive answer on whether it’s just a fluid filled nodule or cancer. Anyone else been in this situation? I’m also have b12 deficiency , many thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator]

B12 deficiency is linked to thyroid issues, especially Hashimoto's

For full evaluation you ideally need TSH, FT4, FT3, TT4, TPO and TG antibodies, plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested

See if you can get full thyroid and vitamin testing from GP. Unlikely to get FT3

Private tests are available

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers.

All thyroid tests should be done as early as possible in morning and fasting and don't take Levo in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results

Link about antibodies

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/t...

Print this list of symptoms off, tick all that apply

thyroiduk.org/tuk/about_the...

[soppysokes]

Trouble being a FNA can never be completely conclusive and at best can only give 'likelihood' and is dependent solely on the cells harvested,so it's such a personal choice which to go with.

[Clutter]

Selom,

17mm is a tiny nodule to FNA. Nodules <1cm are rarely malignant.

Several members have had up to 3 inconclusive results before having a hemilobectomy. Results after analysing the tumour have been mixed with some being benign and some malignant.

My inconclusive FNA wasn't repeated because the large nodule was being removed to relieve pressure on my trachea. In pathology the tumour was found to be malignant and completion thyroidectomy took place 3 months later.

[Nanaedake]

17mm is a small nodule so you could ask whether a surgical biopsy would give you enough information to make a decision. If it turns out to be non-cancerous then you wouldn't need the whole half thyroid removed. If you have a hemithyroidectomy, ask what the chances are that you would need to take levothyroxine afterwards if you dont' already. Losing your thyroid or even half of it is a big decision to make and many nodules are benign or don't develop. Taking levothyroxine for life does have a quality of life impact for some people.

[Selom]

The consultant told me today it had grown from 17mm to 2cm, he Spoke about the vocal chords maybe being damaged and there being a 10% chance I may need to go onto thyroxine after they have removed the right side, depending on the results determines whether I have the left side removed or not.

Thank you for all your responses, I really appreciate it, it’s all happening a bit quick and to be quite honest I don’t know whether I’m coming or going.

[Nanaedake in reply to Selom]

If the nodule turns out to be cancerous I'm pretty sure you will take levothyroxine for life after both hemithyroidectomy and total thyroidectomy as that is the usual protocol for cancer. I don't know what data exists for needing levothyroxine after hemithyroidectomy in the case of benign nodules. For best results, choose a surgeon who does more than 40 thyroidectomies a year. Butterfly Thyroid Cancer have further information. butterfly.org.uk/

There is a small risk of damage to the vocal chords with thyroidectomy. You could ask your surgeon what percentage of patients he operates on have had damage to their vocal chords.

In all honesty, the most difficult thing wasn't going through the surgery but after surgery you get passed to your GP. Most GP's know diddly squat about thyroid conditions, let alone thyroid cancer. If you don't get on well with levothyroxine GP's haven't got a clue. Stay tuned into this forum for lots of help and support.

Before thyroid surgery, make sure your vitamin D level is good. It is best mid-range. Apparently it makes for a better recovery.

onclive.com/conference-cove...

[Selom in reply to Nanaedake]

Thank you, I appreciate the advice.

[Hidden]

Have you tried looking at endocrinesurgeon.co.uk- a surgeon Mr J.L. has a low incidence of

damage to vocal chords and other tissue as he is a micro surgeon. There are very few micro surgeons on the NHS. He is private - but think administrator who described nodule removal went

privately.