What's an average thyroid gland size? How small is mine in comparison after RAI? Measurements are here.

[TaraJR]

I had RAI many years ago, and now take T3 with T4. I was interested to find out how much of my thyroid is left, and I wondered if it being smaller was the reason I now need the T3.

So I had a private thyroid ultrasound done. It gives me measurements, but doesn't say how it compares with a 'normal' or average thyroid gland. Does anyone know?!

My measurements:

Right lobe measures approx 8.4mm x 2.0cm x 6.6mm

Left lobe measures approx 9.3mm x 1.8cm x 2.7mm

No regional cervical lymphadenopathy. No thyroid nodules.

Conclusion: Small hypoechoic thyroid.

[humanbean]

According to wikipedia at this link :

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thyro...

The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ composed of two lobes, left and right, connected by a narrow tissue band, called an "isthmus".[5] It weighs 25 grams in adults, with each lobe being about 5 cm long, 3 cm wide, and 2 cm thick and the isthmus about 1.25 cm in height and width.[5] The gland is usually larger in women than in men, and increases in size during pregnancy.

[PurpleNails Administrator]

I found this reference

In healthy adults (without iodine deficiency) a normal thyroid gland is approximately 4 to 4.8 x 1 to 1.8 x 0.8 to 1.6 cm in size, with a mean sonographic volume of 7 to 10 mL and weight of 10 to 20 grams.

uptodate.com/contents/surgi...

The density has to account for thyroid function too. A “spongy” thyroid which has fluid or air (hyper-echoic) thyroid or a thyroid which is denser & more solid (hypo-echoic) is not going to have the same function compared with one that is healthy.

After RAI there is description of “shrinkage” as damage is being caused throughout the thyroid, which can cause fibrosis or scarring.

I’ve edited some of this reply as previously unclear.

[Graceforlife1 in reply to PurpleNails]

Please what is the meaning of Tiny-Bilateral Hypoechoic thyroid non vascularized masses(hyperthyroidism)

[PurpleNails Administrator in reply to Graceforlife1]

Please do your own post so members can reply directly to you. Otherwise the original poster gets notified about replies specific to you.

[TaraJR in reply to PurpleNails]

Thanks PurpleNails You wrote In healthy adults (without iodine deficiency) a normal thyroid gland is approximately 4 to 4.8 x 1 to 1.8 x 0.8 to 1.6 cm in size Does that mean the measurement of each lobe?

I think it must do if I read your info along with humanbean 's Wiki info saying each lobe being about 5 cm long, 3 cm wide, and 2 cm thick and the isthmus about 1.25 cm in height and width.

Jus trying to compare these 'normal' measurements with mine.

[PurpleNails Administrator in reply to TaraJR]

The source I found doesn’t specify if entire thyroid or lobes but I’m certain it’s the lobes.

Am I understanding this right? An average lobe length is 5 Cm (or just under) and yours is 9.3Mm which makes it under 1cm.

If it was 9.3 centimetre it would be larger. The measurements taken are very accurate to be measuring .3 or a millimetre.