Please advise thyroid biopsy

[Eternity6]

Hi everyone I’m new to this site first post. I had a thyroid biopsy 6 days ago it was horrendous. Was told we’d get results in 14 days. And was contacted within 3 days told no cells were obtained and I have to have another one. Anyone else had this happen. I have underactive thyroid on levo

[Greekchick]

Hi Ruby,

This is not unusual. It happened to me some time ago. Many biopsies are inconclusive.

Was your biopsy guided with an ultrasound? It is definitely uncomfortable but should not be horrendous. Did the doctor use numbing prior to the biopsy? How many samples were taken? They usually do more than one in different spots to make sure they get a proper sample.

Hope you are better soon.

[ling in reply to Greekchick]

Hi dear. Is this the same as fine needle aspiration?

Thank you

[Eternity6 in reply to ling]

I think it is called that yes. I will add I don’t suffer from any anxiety issues. I’m very calm when I go in for tests but that was just awful.

[Greekchick in reply to ling]

Yes - FNA - guided by ultrasound. You’re welcome!

[Eternity6 in reply to Greekchick]

Thanks for your reply so quick yes guided by ultrasound jelly on first. I could feel pinching pressure twisting like a dull pain.awful. Yes did take from different sides,. Afterwards I had buzzing in ears heaviness in ears lasted few hours n felt quite lightheaded for couple of days no bruising though. Minute swelling to be seen. I don’t know whether it was worse for me as I have compromised immune system on steroids etc. Was told 3 days later will have to repeat as no cells obtained. Not looking forward to repeat

[Greekchick in reply to Eternity6]

Hi Ruby,

Some suggestions for next time : if it doesn’t interfere with your other meds, take some Tylenol 1 hour before procedure. Something they don’t tell you - anytime you have a fine needle biopsy (known as FNA - aspiration) you can’t do anything strenuous for the rest of the day. No driving, exercise, anything exerting - you will feel sick if you do. I always rested for a couple of hours afterwards - and made sure I had a quiet day - didn’t go to work . Also, if you are nervous, it wouldn’t hurt to take something like Ativan 1/2 am hour before to keep yourself calm as well again if it doesn’t interfere with other meds (please note I am not a doctor , just a patient who had many of these FNAs - and I had them before they used ultrasound and numbing!)

It’s no wonder you felt sick - your body is depleted of minute quantities of thyroid - but enough to make you feel bad. In your case with other issues, you may very well feel worse for a day or two.

Hope this is helpful and that you a better second experience. All the best.

[Eternity6 in reply to Greekchick]

Thank you love. I’m a very calm person retired due to ill health. I don’t actually take any meds to help anything really as in painkillers. I go into all tests with calm mind even my liver biopsy few years ago. So when I had all these things going on I thought whoa. Came home gave myself rheki rested and the buzzing etc subsided after a while. When I go back I will ask what he actually used for the injection. It’s great to speak to someone who has had many FNAs and I hope you are doing ok x

[Greekchick in reply to Eternity6]

Thanks for your good wishes. I am 4 months post TT for Graves and toxic multinodular goiter and finally on the upswing now that I am getting close to finding the sweet spot with my medication. I’m sorry to hear you had to retire for ill health - that’s tough.

You may have had a reaction to the local anaesthetic injection they gave you.I have found it never helped to do much of anything - and always asked them not to bother. My thyroid surgeon, the kindest man, was worried about hurting me and looked at me like I was crazy when I asked him not to give me any before he did my FNA. But I would check that out - some people are very sensitive to anaesthetics and you may be one of them, particularly with all your other health problems.

Wishing you all the best - hoping you feel better soon. XO

[Eternity6 in reply to Greekchick]

Aww bless you. I want to wish you all the best for the future. I was told in phone call that if the second fna doesn’t work then I would most probably have to go for surgery hmm. Well let’s see how this one goes first. I’m very sensitive to lots of meds greekchic I have a autoimmune liver disease too so that doesn’t help.but very positive person.

[Greekchick]

They will probably biopsy different areas to see if they can get a better sample. Don’t let them rush you to surgery - everything thyroid moves very slowly - including cancers - you are wise to watch and wait for now. XO

[Eternity6 in reply to Greekchick]

Exactly that’s what I thought. No I don’t allow anyone to rush me. I think you know your own body don’t you. Fingers crossed he gets enough cells to make a diagnosis

[Starlet97 in reply to Eternity6]

Yes, RubyWoo6 you do know your own body, hence my FNA last Thursday too. Knew there was something wrong and gp sent me for an ultrasound (I had asked more than once to go to specialist but had to have blood tests, try upping medication etc) and first working day after got a call to say cysts had been found. I didn't feel FNA was too bad, but I did feel tugging etc. Had two I think from two cysts. Felt muscles and thyroid area tender for four or five days (I also have Sjogrens syndrome so it didn't help that) and to be honest I felt better for a few days afterwards!! As I said to a friend think it woke it up lol. Await results. Had spray anaesthetic on skin and I felt a wobbly just after. Not something I would particularly want again but certainly not the worst I have had done to me lol. Hope you get on OK from here and please let us know.

[Eternity6 in reply to Starlet97]

Oh I’ve never had the spray anaesthetic, I think if you have autoimmune disorders I’ve two it can affect your body can’t it. I’m convinced when we have something done regarding tests it starts something else up or at least wakens it lol the same as these meds good for one thing. Affects something else. I’d say my liver biopsy or my lumber puncture were my worst tests I’ve had to endure thank you n I will let you know how I get on.

[Starlet97 in reply to Eternity6]

Yes, you are right about that. I have ua thyroid, hashimotos, sjogrens syndrome, fibromyalgia, arthritis, asthma, to name a few lol. In constant pain. Blumin nuisance. Have you had your B12 checked? That can make you feel horrid so my endocrinologist says and mine is low - have gone back to my gp for that as hospital blood tests do not go to your gp, so wasting money having it done again by GP! Have been feeling awful for months, having steroid injection next week so that will buck me up. Good luck

[Eternity6 in reply to Starlet97]

Never had b12 checked. I wouldn’t say I suffer much from fatigue to be honest.oh I really dislike steroids been on them forever

[Starlet97 in reply to Eternity6]

Am not a fan of oral steroids either as I put on a lot of weight but steroid injections don't do that with me. They give me some relief for a time.

[Eternity6 in reply to Starlet97]

That’s right. I hate taking steroids and azathrioprine but have to I’m afraid. But they do serve there purpose. Hair loss nausea n weight gain not good but have to put up with it

[Starlet97 in reply to Eternity6]

How do you get on with aziathropine? I decided not to take it after reading the patient leaflet. How are the side effects for you? Am fed up with having no life and when I am feeling better I have to do chores and jobs and never get energy etc for doing anything pleasurablexx

[Eternity6 in reply to Starlet97]

I hate it. I’ve been on it for years. Hate the side effects.i drink a lot of water as I take it in the morning.still not sure which is the worst pred or that I have nausea a lot with both these drugs.i wear sea legs wrist bands to try n stop nausea some days are worse than others. I’m forever sipping water. I don’t really have a problem regarding fatigue. I do get dizzy sometimes. Because I’m at home and had to give up work through Bad health. I tend to pace myself. I know exactly what you mean about not having energy to do anything pleasurable. But mines more of the fact of the nausea when it strikes, I can’t then concentrate. I’m not sick but it’s the feeling hair falling out going frazzled. Oh the joys. Both these meds are harsh drugs. I have got very used to saying to ppl over the years I’m sorry I won’t be out today x

[Starlet97 in reply to Eternity6]

Yes, I have to cancel plans at short notice, something some do not understand. Haven't been out for such a long time socially. I feel for you with the side effects of the drugs, do they actually help things in anyway? I have been retired on health grounds from my full time and then part time job but am now retired. Jobs pile up around me and I have to sit and look at them because I am not able to do them. Every year I feel worse and suffer from anxiety as well as chronic agitative depression and get very stressed if I have to go somewhere wondering if I am going to be OK. Good luck.x

[Eternity6 in reply to Starlet97]

Yes. The meds do actually help the illness though I know if I didn’t take them I’d be in a worse state. Is their a private message icon on here you could speak to me on that if you like. X

[Starlet97 in reply to Eternity6]

OK thank you. Don't have anything to hide, but people probably fed up with my moans by now lolx

[Starlet97 in reply to Eternity6]

Can't find the button RubyWoo6 being thick I think lolx

[Eternity6 in reply to Starlet97]

Don’t worry that’s fine, we can still speak on here 😘

[Batty1]

Yes, I had thyroid biopsy done 5 yrs ago by ENT that was a nightmare and they too were unable to get a proper sample wanted a redo,I declined it was horrible experience. My issues persisted and 2 yrs later I went to Endocrinologist and that was a much better experience and a much different outcome.

[Greekchick in reply to Batty1]

The key is an experienced physician who does a lot of them and is very skilled - not all of them can do it.

[Eternity6 in reply to Greekchick]

You are right yes.

[Eternity6 in reply to Batty1]

Oh really. I’ve told my ent consultant that since I’ve got to have another biopsy I would go back to the original person and repeat. But I must admit I’m hoping it’s someone else lol

[Greekchick in reply to Eternity6]

Hi Ruby,

Fingers crossed!

[Eternity6 in reply to Greekchick]

Thank you very much

[LAHs]

An FNA should not be horrendous, I think the person who did it must have been a rookie. Like any blood test it's usually OK but just occasionally you get a student or a real klutz. I also think that they did not even hit the thyroid nodule that they were aiming for since they did not collect any thyroid cells. My advice is to insist on another doctor or technician for the next FNA - truly, take it from me a total scary cat, they should not be horrendous.

[Eternity6 in reply to LAHs]

Yes I know what you mean I have 6 weekly blood tests for an autoimmune illness have done for many years which has to continue for rest of my life, so v v used to blood tests n never ever complain. But this FNA was truly awful, I also thought that he couldn’t have hit the correct place as surely would have obtained cells. It seemed to be going on for ages. Hopefully the next one will hit the target

[Starlet97 in reply to LAHs]

My biopsy was ultrasound guided and done by a consultant radiologist. He was very gentle and said I would have a bruise but didn't. Only problem I had was itching round plaster lol. I always do the opposite to what they expect happens with medication too. I remember he had to ask the nurse if he had any cells in the syringe as his eyes were firmly fixed on the screen. I would say he was very good although I did hear the person in front of me shouting a bit and had the same as me. Have had so many needles, ops and procedures in my life - was surprised I was OK the next day. xx Spray was OK although the nurse did query it as I am asthmatic but again I was OK lol.xx

[LAHs in reply to Starlet97]

You know, mine was not done with an ultra sound, the doc just put her finger on the nodule then stuck the needle in it. I wasn't even aware that they had ultra sound guidance. I think that might be the reason why one of the dimensions, probably depth, was missing so it caused a problem.

[RockyPath]

I have a friend who had a TT because her biopsy was inconclusive and her physician, who hadn't tried living without a thyroid, neglected to consider simply ordering another biopsy. Perhaps he did it himself. After the gland was removed and lying in a tray, samples were analyzed and the gland was declared free of cancer.

I learned two things from this: (1) you cannot expect people who have no stake in the outcome to be diligent in their work. (2) medical practitioners love to practice new skills, but when they don't do them often they do them poorly.

When I was given an order for an ultrasound-guided FNAB, I went to a facility where they had a person who did nothing but perform these procedures. I told him, "I don't care if I feel like a colander when you're done; I do NOT want to hear that the results are inconclusive." He took 12 samples. The procedure was remarkably painless, though I did feel bruised afterwards. The resulting report was extremely detailed and provided assurance that all was well.

[Greekchick in reply to RockyPath]

Awful story about your friend - I was the same way though with my surgeon , who did the biopsies himself. He is such a lovely guy and was worried about hurting me - I said do what you have to but get what you need - and don’t worry about hurting me. And all 5 were conclusive.