Can I / should I avoid a thyroid removal operation ? Is there a quick alternative ?

[Simonron]

Hi. I have had multiple tests, scan etc and 'by happy accident' my thyroid has been discovered to rank a '3' on the have I got Cancer range. A biopsy, a PET scan and the fact I have 'nodules' in my lungs all point to having my thyroid removed. This will happen in three weeks - I'm told this is an emergency. Is there any fast acting ( I have three weeks ) set of actions I can take to fix things before the op? Or, should I think myself extremely fortunate that it has been caught in time ? I have posted several times here, but this is the first post since I was told I should have the Op.

[Simonron]

Further - I thought I had an under active thyroid that did not show up in standard blood tests. I'm told that my extreme tiredness, foggy thinking, sore throat, breathlessness, aches and pains etc would NOT be cured by removing my thyroid (not a shock). Could it be that the tests were just the wrong type - as I mentioned in another post referencing my Mother''s condition (torty.org.uk/m-e-joy-anthon... and that the suspicion of 'Cancer' is a catch all thing that CAN be done rather than being the right thing to do ?

[bantam12]

If there is a suspicion of cancer then I wouldn't mess about, get rid ! You won't be able to treat it yourself.

I'm also having urgent surgery for possible cancer (not thyroid) in a few weeks, can't come quick enough for me as I don't want to risk leaving it any longer.

[Simonron in reply to bantam12]

That was exactly my thinking before I saw posts here from the moderator, so I though I'd better get further opinions. Thanks for your's!

[bantam12 in reply to Simonron]

Good luck, I hope all goes well.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Suggest you get full thyroid and vitamin testing before op

Retesting again 6-8 weeks after you are settled on full replacement dose of levothyroxine

Getting vitamins optimal before operation could help with your recovery too ...

[Simonron]

Will the NHS do that if I ask nicely ?

[Nanaedake]

You don't give enough information about your diagnosis to answer your question. If you have conclusively been diagnosed with thyroid cancer then you will want to follow your oncologists advise. If you don't understand the evidence then ask the consultant or surgeon to explain it. If you feel unsure about the course of action and your treatment plan then you could seek a second opinion.

[Simonron in reply to Nanaedake]

I'm told that a grade3 rating is a probability of cancer. They will only know for sure once they have taken it out. So, there is no other information available. I have asked - a lot. So I do not have an oncologist. I thought though that the biopsy was strong enough.I only had a thin needle one, not the fat. I was told that was because it was such a clear result. I have had no clear answer to this contradiction.

[Nanaedake in reply to Simonron]

If it were me I would want clarity before losing my whole thyroid. Or, at least an explanation why its necessary to excise the whole thyroid, not just part of it. Each case is different though.

I would want to feel involved with the decision and satisfied with the plan. You could ring the surgeons secretary and ask to speak to him/her. You could email your questions through to the secretary and then hopefully you'll get a response. Another option is to request a second opinion via your GP.

[Simonron in reply to Nanaedake]

half a thyroid... but yes. Frankly, it's waring me down today.

[bantam12]

With many suspected cancers they can't be 100% sure until the offending article is out and in Pathology lab, it's a brave person who decides to risk leaving it alone on the off chance its benign !! I would rather lose a bit of me and know for sure either way, if it's benign then great I needn't worry for the rest of my days, if it's not then let's get on and sort it.

[Simonron]

Many thanks. I've still got a little time left. The dust is settling. I've got a big gun about to tell me more I hope. Second and third opinions are good. I wonder how many people have what has been seen in me, and like me, have not symptoms. The symptoms I have are those of a low thyroid, but ... the arguments are not very good . I fear the Op is a thing, I have a thing, they are in about the same place so - give it a try. I'm not a gambler. This is a gamble either way.

[Simonron]

Oh yes, I'm a teacher - and I've just started as a voice actor.

[humanbean]

I'm told that a grade3 rating is a probability of cancer.

But is it a grade 3 of a possible 5 or a possible 8 or a 10? You need to know how long the scale is for the three to make any sense and mean something.

[Simonron in reply to humanbean]

1= nothing

2 = benign

3 = worrying

4= oops

5 = oh heck !

I think - sort of.

[Simonron]

I'm quite sure both chaps who did my thyroid ultrasound scan were one of the new batch brought in early to cover the Covid staff shortage. They were very unforthcoming, nervous and strict - not letting me take a photo of my scan. I spoke only to a surgeon who said he honestly didn't have answers to my specific thyroid questions. A Staff Nurse though gave very full answers - phoning me three times. I've hopes of taking to a chap who really knows - retired oncologist.

[Marou]

About 5 years ago I too was diagnosed with nodules, on my thyroid. A total thyroidectomy was recommended and I was horrified. Did lots of research and went to Italy for laser ablation and the nodule shrunk about 50%. But a couple of years later it increased in size and it was cancerous. I've now had a thyroidectomy and feel fine. I do have to have radioactive iodine therapy in a couple of weeks though. Then I hope I'll be fine.

[Simonron]

Two years later, due to really strange circumstances, I have still not had the hemithyroidectomy ! I still have terrible Long Covid.