Thyroid scan can this reveal nodules or thicke... - Thyroid UK

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Thyroid scan can this reveal nodules or thickening pressing on your trachea?

Rmichelle profile image
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Hi all again, i had my ultrasound on my thyroid early november and it did reveal nodules off 5mm ans some more well defined other ones and a thickening of the isthmus of 4mm but thyroid not enlarged. Im just trying to find out from other peoples experiences of having nodules that did have symptons of any pressure on the trachea, clearing of the throat and a cough.

If anything is pressing on the trachea however big or small would this be seen on a thyroid scan and if would it be noted on the report. Endo is going to do another scan at the end of this month to see if anything has grown, i have also requested a copy disc of my scan just so i can get someone to view it as a 2nd opinion maybe.

Once again thanks all in advance.🌟

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Rmichelle
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Clutter profile image
Clutter

Rmichelle,

A nodule of 5mm is tiny and very unlikely to cause any pressure on the trachea and symptoms of clearing throat or cough. If it was pushing on the trachea it would show on the scan.

I had a nodule 2.5cm which was compressing the trachea and causing problems swallowing and breathing. When it couldn't push the trachea further it presented as a lump in my neck overnight.

Rmichelle profile image
Rmichelle in reply toClutter

Thankyou clutter i was very unsure that anything would show on a US and also would it be even mentioned on a report however small. So if you dont mind me asking how long did you have to wait from confirmation of that to them removing it?

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply toRmichelle

Rmichelle,

It's already been mentioned on a report otherwise you wouldn't know that you had a nodule or that it was 5mm. Nodules <1cm are rarely malignant.

Lump appeared mid June. I had ultrasound scan within 3-4 weeks and fine needle aspiration biopsy end of July. FNA was inconclusive for cancer but because the nodule was troublesome partial thyroidectomy was scheduled. I had the hemilobectomy early Dec so almost 6 months after the lump appeared. Turned out to be malignant so I had completion thyroidectomy 3 months later.

Rmichelle profile image
Rmichelle in reply toClutter

Thankyou clutter i had known previously that you had been through a very rough time from your bio, you still had to wait quite along time though for anything to be done when they found the lump-you must have been very relieved in the end when everything was sorted. Thankyou for advice 😊

Read post recently about someone who had nodules which grew within a few weeks - he was advised by his doctor to have them out. They should be biopsied and removed as sometimes they can be nasty. I was looking to find some information on microsurgery for nodules and the person liked the idea. There is a specialist in London who has operated on over 10,000 patients and removed nodes. You might find a specialist privately - Birmingham might be your best bet on nhs but microsurgery is not usual. It cuts down recovery time as lesions are small after operating. Will try and find the post . If you go privately for an ultrasound they could do the test for you and remove them. It depends on what sort of

nodules they are and they can't tell unless they are biopsied. Happy new year!

Rmichelle profile image
Rmichelle in reply to

Lol, just trying to sort myself out and also not have the wool pulled over my eyes.nothing was said at endo appointment about biopsying them as they have to be 6mm i was told, just waiting for disc to arrive on 1st scan.x

bantam12 profile image
bantam12 in reply toRmichelle

They won't do a biopsy unless they look suspicious on the ultrasound.

Rmichelle profile image
Rmichelle in reply tobantam12

Well thats good. Just want to be certain that nothing is pressing on my windpipe so i can rule that out.x

Think the post referred to 5mm as they grow rapidly . Discuss with gp - but they are not going to disappear- if they are causing pressure they should go - your health might improve rapidly if they go. The private specialist may remove them with biopsy - they are not sonographers but special thyroid ultra sound specialists with a higher training.

Still waiting for disc? My daughter has not had her scan results back from November yet!

Rmichelle profile image
Rmichelle in reply to

I have got my 2nd thyroid scan on 30th january and it is being done a consultant on the thyroid not a ordinary sonographer, he only attens one a week for appointments. I wonder if that is similar?

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