Could anyone settle this argument for me? - Thyroid UK

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Could anyone settle this argument for me?

SLV94 profile image
19 Replies

Hi guys. I’m 24 and have a multi nodular goitre. I’ve had an mri and all modules are small and had a biopsy of a cyst above my thyroid that showed nothing. My thyroid aches from time to time, and I always have a sore throat. I’ve seen ent and all my thyroid function levels are normal and they said that loads of people have cysts on their thyroid. My goitre doesn’t affect my breathing or anything like that.

So they say it’s best to leave it alone? Is this true?

I don’t see them until September now.

Just for a review.

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SLV94 profile image
SLV94
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19 Replies

Do nothing is best on this one. If all that's bothering you is a bit of a sore thought, then just be very thankful. It's when you develop more serious symptoms that you need to worry. This could be significant breathing properties - ie you need 2 breaths to say a short sentence. Could be progressively worsening symptoms - eg each week you can only walk a shorter distance than the previous week without suddenly feeling extreme fatigue and coming to a halt. It may take you 2-3 DAYS to recover from a short walk to the local shops.

Enjoy yourself as much as you can and simply get on with our life as if the above happens it could mean a serious downturn in your quality of life if a thyroidectomy becomes necessary.

Take notice of what the docs say and be aware that nothing is quick regarding thyroid problems. It could be another 20-30 years before any corrective procedures become necessary, if at all.

rosyG profile image
rosyG

I think it is- I have been looking things up in RSM library as I have a retrosternal nodule- very large- which may A be difficult to biopsy and b may have to come out as may cause breathing/ other problems but it did seem from my reading as if small nodules that are benign are usually ignored - I'm not a doctor so do keep enquiring!

Greekchick profile image
Greekchick

Hi SLV,

Do you have blood work results to post with ranges? Are you on any thyroid medication? Have you been diagnosed with Graves or Hashimotos? By the way, hold onto your thyroid as long as you can. I agree with Panda - thyroid moves very slowly and you don’t need to rush anything.

SLV94 profile image
SLV94

Greekchik. Not got graves or hashimotos. Just cysts in the gland.

I don’t have the results at hand but have seen them and the t3, t4 and loads of other things were completely normal.

Greekchick profile image
Greekchick in reply to SLV94

Ok - if that’s the case I recommend watch and wait. You should have your blood work taken twice a year and make sure it’s a complete thyroid panel including T4, T3, and TSH. I would also ask for markers for Graves and Hashimotos at least once a year or should you show any change in your condition, new cysts, or develop new symptoms other than the cysts. Since it’s retrosternal, pay close attention to any changes in your breathing, or if you begin to snore heavily. My doctor used to do a FNA biopsy every 2 years or so to make sure there were no changes and an ultrasound every 2 years unless he or I felt a new lump or change in an existing one. Do check your neck regularly so you can tell if lumps are growing or becoming tender to the touch.

There is no rush for any reason - you are young and I would recommend taking good care of your general health.

Wishing you good luck and all the best. Hopefully you will never need to worry about it. Many people live with lumps and bumps on the thyroid and do quite OK. I was well controlled for 25 years and I am now significantly older than you before anything needed to be done.

Marz profile image
Marz in reply to SLV94

Normal is an opinion rather than a result. Docs say normal/fine/OK when they mean in range - it is where they are in the ramge that is key ... 😊

in reply to SLV94

The official "Normal" may not be normal for you. If for example your TSH is above 3 and/or your t3 and T4 not in the upper third or so of the range you could be hypothyroid in spite of what they say. Or possibly hyper

Have you had any thyroid antibodies checked?

Do you have any other symptoms besides your throat?

in reply to

Marz got in before me! X

Gingersnap202 profile image
Gingersnap202 in reply to SLV94

"Normal" for one person may not be normal for another. ... The nodules are telling you that something isn't quite right with your thyroid. When my hypothyroidism as properly treated, my thyroid nodule shrank away.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Do you have the actual blood test results and ranges to add?

As Marz says, it's always best to include the actual results

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common

One in five Hashimoto's patients never have raised antibodies

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Maramonro profile image
Maramonro

Yes, everyone has nodules and cysts, it’s what thyroid does. Don’t do anything

Gingersnap202 profile image
Gingersnap202 in reply to Maramonro

NOT SO! (I hope you are being facetious?!)

Maramonro profile image
Maramonro in reply to Gingersnap202

Every research shows that probably between 75-90% people have either cysts or nodules on their thyroid. Also from the personal experience I know that everyone who had thyroid ultrasound had discovered some nodules, every single one.

Gingersnap202 profile image
Gingersnap202 in reply to Maramonro

I would think, that was because they were having "thyroid problems" to begin with and were trying to find the reason? ... It is probably good to mention, that I am in the US and maybe shouldn't comment on what is considered usual in other countries. ... I just know, that when my hypothyroidism was properly diagnosed and treated, my quite large thyroid nodule resolved.

Maramonro profile image
Maramonro in reply to Gingersnap202

Yes, unfortunately in the. States they only test things if there is a problem, while in Europe they do a lot of things routinely, and I think that’s because of insurance costs. I am glad you are doing well now. My problem was that I was advised to remove my thyroid because of large nodules that turned out to be benign, just because of suspicious biopsy... and I want to make sure that people understand that this important organ needs to be treated only if certain that there is a problem, so they don’t suffer the way I do now for no reason.

Greekchick profile image
Greekchick in reply to Gingersnap202

Hi Gingersnap,

There is some research to suggest that thyroid nodules are present in about 50% of the population after the age of 60, and they are most common either before the age of 30 or after 60. So I would not agree that everyone has them!

In addition, I would think it prudent for a person who has thyroid nodules to be followed up with regular examinations, ultrasounds and biopsies (every 2 years unless a change in condition), and blood tests twice a year to be sure they do not develop into something else such as thyroid autoimmune disease or cancer.

HLAB35 profile image
HLAB35

I'd definitely get a thyroid + antibody check + vitamin d done privately for peace of mind. Then come back here and post results. Antibodies and nodules can sometimes be reduced through an anti inflammatory diet and supplements like Selenium, Vitamin d + co-factors Magnesium and K2 (see Isabella Wentz link)

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

Your sore throat is definitely your body trying to tell you something's off ...try taking something like a liquid antihistamine like Piriton (which is good for food allergy reactions) - you may find the sore throat goes away, which one may argue suggests a food intolerance or allergy is causing you to flare up. It could be dairy, or gluten, or high histamine foods. My daughter has an anti inflammatory diet, but when she was young she was always getting sore throats - especially in the summer which was down to her body not being able to break histamine down.

naturalendocrinesolutions.c...

SLV94 profile image
SLV94

Hi everyone. My vitamin d was low.

I’ve got supplements. B12 and folic acid and all that was checked by a heamotologist and all normal.

They explained that a lot of people have nodules and it’s when there’s one big hard nodule that they worry.

I’ve had it ultrasounded twice and an mri on it.

They haven’t biopsied it.

They said there no need to.

My throat just aches about 3-4 times a week.

Don’t know whether it’s my tmj though. And teeth clenching.

What should I do?

HLAB35 profile image
HLAB35

A lot of your symptoms (I've checked your previous posts) suggest estrogen dominance which leads to (link 1) fibrocystic breasts (link 2), anxiety and period problems. I highly recommend taking Magnesium - possibly the best one to start with would be something like Better You Magnesium Sprays and Gels onto problem areas and Magnesium Citrate soluble powder; because estrogen eats up Magnesium (see link 3) and Magnesium deficiency is bad for all of your endocrine system, your heart and your mental health. Also low Magnesium will prevent your Vitamin D (link 4) from increasing despite supplementing. Reading The Magnesium Miracle by Dr Carolyn Dean will help you find the missing link.. Unfortunately most people (including the majority of authors of these links) are only scratching the surface of the significance of Magnesium... it took Dr Dean to put all this evidence together into one book.

link 1 drnorthrup.com/estrogen-dom...

link 2 heatherbrucehealing.com/mag...

link 3 healthfully.com/445601-magn...

link 4 easy-immune-health.com/magn...

Even tmj is linked to high estrogen see this link..

link 5 chriskresser.com/jaw-pain-3...

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