Thyroid cyst with normal bloods?

[BP135]

Has anyone had a thyroid cyst and had thyroid function test come back as OK?

I had my ultrasound and FNA last week and the radiologist said the lump on my neck was mostly fluid. He drained it and took 3 biopsies.

When I've tried to google thyroid cysts it seems to say that they are due to a lack of iodine in the diet, which I can't imagine I have, although I haven't had a blood test for that yet.

I just wondered if all cysts on the thyroid caused hyper or hypo thyroid? I'm just filling the time whilst nervously awaiting my biopsy results! He said it should be just over a week, but not to chase up until it's been 2 weeks. I'm hoping I'll hear by the end of this week!

Hope everyone is as well as can be.

Becky xx

[PurpleNails Administrator]

Doctors evaluate thyroid function and nodules separately.

Cysts don’t always affect function if the remaining thyroid functions well. Were they very large cyst? they can refill if drained.

I had a FNA and all clear months before my thyroid function was rechecked and it was realised I was hyper.

Iodine deficiency (or iodine excess, from supplements) has long been associated with thyroid disfunction but it’s very unlikely. What is your diet like, are you vegan? Iodine test aren’t routinely offered. Do you live in part of the world where deficiency is prevalent?

What are your thyroid test results? Interpretation of thyroid function will be the best way to see if you could have a thyroid issue.

[BP135 in reply to PurpleNails]

He didn't tell me the measurement when he did the scan but from what I could physically see on my neck I'd say 4cm long and maybe 2cm wide.

The lump is still there, it just doesn't stick out as much now so isn't as obvious. I wondered if it would refill.

I am not vegan, and Iive in england so not likely to be a lack of iodine.

I didn't see my results, just got told over the phone that everything was normal. I think they did a general thyroid function test and checked b12 and iron levels because I told my nurse I was very tired. This was before I discovered the lump but was only in april.

Ive since looked back at photos and realised I've had the lump since august last year. It just suddenly got bigger in june when i found it.

I will request copies of my bloods after I find out what the lump is for definite. I came home today to a letter for a phone app with ENT on Thursday so not long to wait now thankfully!

Thanks for your reply xx

[PurpleNails Administrator in reply to BP135]

The “all ok” (normal & fine are other phases commonly used) might be the TSH just being in range with no other related tests at all.

Practices in England are contractually mandated to provide online access to your digital health record. Ask practice for full online access *including historical record* You may have to fill in application & supply ID. Often at first you granted a basic access but the practice should be able to add full record and are allowed up to a month to set up.

Getting a grasp on your own test history is a major step forward in tracking your own health. Also gives access to notes and letters, so extremely helpful.

I wouldn’t ask doctors (or nurse) for results though, as they get offended about it! Instead approach reception for a printout & don’t accept verbal or hand scribbled notes you need a printed copy, this will have sample date & ranges (ranges vary between labs so essential).

I wrote a little while ago on another post about some of the reasons why it so important to check you own results. Heres my list of the things that have happened to me or my daughter and why I now feel strongly about using the right we have to check out own results.

1 Doctor didn’t order right test. Sometimes they order a basic test first or just one part of a group and if admin view and see it’s not “red flagged” it might never get noticed the right wasn’t requested.

2 Part of the blood draw wasn’t processed as the blood Haemolysed. Admin look at other results, which were in range not noticing not all complete.

3 nurse drew blood in wrong bottle, but other results were ok, so probably not worth confessing & upsetting patient or re-arranging tests to be done.

4 Not all the relevant tests are included, even when it’s their idea and after reminding 3 different sets of tests a certain item had not been requested.

5 the lab excluded a requested test, or new protocol directs them to test a different test.

6 specialist instructs GP to conduct a certain test (iron panel). GP notes state “ice system won’t let me request this?” Will do ferritin again as system will allow this”

7 Abnormal results are not abnormal enough for them to bother about. So “patient advised, satisfactory” When neither patient was advised nor or results satisfactory.

8 Abnormal hospital results don’t get followed up or sent to GP and are lost in the system. (My hyper wasn’t diagnosed for another 4 years after this happened). I was not monitored or advised in entire time.

In other words there’s a multitude of issues & errors which crop up you need to know what’s been tested, was it processed properly at blood draw & by lab & has doctor / admin reviewed or checks results & filed it properly.