Hi, I am feeling a bit overwhelmed today. I was diagnosed with a Hyperactive Thyroid and Graves in August 2021. Saw an Endocrinologist in October 2021.
Just before Easter this year I became aware of a small lump to one side of my throat. As it was a Bank Holiday, I couldn’t see my GP but made an appointment as soon as I could afterwards. I saw them the following week and was referred on for an ultrasound which I had last week. I was told my thyroid gland is very swollen and has multiple lumps/nodules. Within 48 hours of the ultrasound my GP telephoned me to say I am being referred on to an ENT Specialist for further testing urgently. They asked had I been told at the ultrasound appointment what had been found and then if I have a history of cancer in my family. With regards to the latter my mother had cancer and died from secondaries a few years ago. The following morning the referrals department rang me first thing followed by the appointments team an hour later. I have an appointment in two days’ time and although it wasn’t said I am assuming a Fine Needle Biopsy will be done. I have to say I am impressed by how fast they are moving regarding this but also very worried. I can feel my thyroid gland and the lump and have had a slight sore throat for the last couple of weeks coupled with an ear infection one side which has developed within the last three days.
By contrast I had a six-monthly appointment with the Endocrinologist 10 days ago and am so thankful I didn’t wait to see him to discuss the lump. He was uninterested and discounted my fears saying it was nothing (although he said he could feel the lump) and sent me off for blood tests. I don’t know the results of those as he will never send them to me despite being asked to. The ones taken before were in February and the brief results I got from him were TSH 0.01, T3 4.7, T4 15. He said I was doing well but my thyroid was trying to become Hyperactive again. Results from the Endo department don’t show up on my NHS record online.
What should I expect at the ENT appointment? I have needle phobia so am hoping a local anaesthetic is given before the Fine Needle Biopsy. I intend asking if it is possible if it isn’t offered. I don’t drive so will be travelling home afterwards on public transport. Is this advisable or would I be better paying for a taxi home? I thought a fruit jelly for when I get home if my throat is sore. If nothing else a jelly is always comforting.
Sorry, this is a bit rambling, but my mind is racing in all directions today.
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"How do I prepare for a thyroid fine needle aspiration biopsy?
There is very little you need to do to prepare for a thyroid fine needle aspiration biopsy. Ask your healthcare provider whether you should stop taking any medicines before the procedure, like blood thinners. You should be able to eat and drink normally before the procedure. You will probably go to a medical clinic to have the procedure performed. You should be able to go home that same day."
Try not to worry .. easier said than done i know ....
if you're not sure about eating ,could you try phoning the ENT dept. in the morning ?
but am pretty sure you'll be fine eating normally before you go .. last thing you need is to be starving hungry and terrified at the same time.
I can reassure you a thyroid FNA it’s a straightforward quick process, by guided ultrasound. I was given a local anaesthetic & discomfort during procedure minimal. No ache after & no issue eating anything after. Sometimes very confident & quick doctors do complete without local. Ask beforehand what they plan to do.
I was told gently bite end of my tongue, this is to minimise swallowing & movement. Once numb the needle is passed a few times. I was able to work a busy 3 hour shift after procedure as was only expecting a scan. The worry about having it would probably have been far worse.
19 per of 20 samples do not require follow up.
Sample Collection failure can be quite high, more so with solid areas. So don’t be surprised if they take more than 1 sample.
Have something light to eat well in advance you don’t want to be hungry or feel nauseous with anxiety.
TSH 0.01, T3 4.7, T4 15. What are ranges on FT4 & FT3. TSH takes time to respond (mine hasn’t yet, still 0.01, & have been taking carbimazole over 3 years). Frees look in range by most ranges.
Do you have Graves? Confirmed by antibodies? Nodules are common with autoimmune but also occur without.
Hospital requested blood test won’t show up on GP held record. Letters from specialist might include results but the often leave off range. You can ask the department secretary for copy of results or there lots of formal methods to obtain hospital records.
It’s really frustrating when doctors dismiss anything not in their remit. Endo will only focus on thyroid blood test results ENT will focus on lump. It’s just how the specialists work.
Did your tingling sore hands occur along with original symptoms or is this a new issue?
Have you have folate,ferritin, B12 & vit D tested?
Hi, thank you for replying to me. I don't know the ranges for the blood test. The Endo had the results up on a computer screen so I asked to copy down the most recent information. He didn't seem that keen but allowed me to get the basics then flipped the screen to something else. He's very pleasant but I find my GP practice much more proactive and helpful. Just the TSH, T3 and T4 were tested. I had full testing done in August 2021 by the GP which confirmed that I have Graves.
The hands tingling is fairly new, around the last month or two and is getting worse.
I had a FNA biopsy a few weeks ago on my three cm nodule. I'm not good with needles and was very nervous. But as I'd posted on the forum for advice I did feel reassured and more prepared for the whole procedure.
I did ask if I could have a local anaesthetic but they said I'd have to have three or four injections and it would just have prolonged the procedure.
One thing that did make me feel more nervous and I didn't expect was how dim the lighting was in the room. This made me feel very uneasy not realising that it's necessary in order to do the guided ultrasound and get a good sample.
It was done really calmly and efficiently I barely felt anything. The person that took the sample was very reassuring and chatted to me afterwards whilst they checked that they had enough of a sample and placed a dressing on the very tiny puncture wound. There was no bleeding or bruising as he kept pressure on it for a good few minutes.
He told me then that he'd had a lot of experience and I thanked him for being so patient with me. To be honest I felt so relaxed and relieved I could have stayed in that department for the rest of the afternoon 😊
The rest of the day I did feel like I'd had pressure applied to my throat as it ached slightly but that feeling had gone by the next morning.
I have to go for another biopsy on the same nodule in a month's time so really hoping I get the same person doing the procedure.
I'm waiting to have 1 myself too & was told a local would be given although I've read the needle is very fine so not always needed. I've had breast cysts drained and it's been done by inserting a needle whilst doing ultrasound and not really hurt much.I wish my appointments had been arranged as quick! I went to the GP 11th March. Had ultrasound 7th April, ENT 10th May and had to chase several times and email GP to get him to expedite. My entire right lobe has been replaced by a 6.41 x 4cm nodule which is causing abnormal TSH levels sore throat, coughing and feeling of fatigue, sweating etc. As I go abroad 4th June, I'm hoping they do it before I go
Thank you for replying to me. That's not good all the waiting around you are going through. My GP surgery have been great since I was diagnosed with thyroid problems last year. Very kind, rang me a lot at first to check I was coping alright. Again with this lump issue they have been great, it makes such a difference.
That's a big nodule you've got, I do hope it can be sorted out for you soon.
It's a shame more GPS can't be like that. I first got abnormal TSH results in September and asked to see the Dr cos of also having thr swelling and other thyroid related symptoms but the receptionist kept saying no Dr wants to monitor your bloods. It took from September 2021 till March 2022 to get an appointment and that was only cos the nurse who did my epilepsy review agreed I was entitled to see the GP if I had concerns. I had to do so much chasing and emailing with the surgery saying 1 thing and hospital another which to me is something I shouldn't have to do. My concern is that it's cancerous as it's been graded U2/U3 but they also said it looked unusual.My symptoms are getting worse, especially fatigue which also concerns me. I've seen ENT but yet to get appointment with the endocrinologist
I had FNB 5 years ago without any numbing agent and was absolutely fine and was able to drive. You have a terrible Endo and he actually should be reported especially if your biopsy reveals thyroid cancer.
I was due to have a FNB today but had my appointment cancelled this morning. I am booked on for Thursday morning now. I am feeling anxious but reading this has helped.
Hi, thank you for replying. It's annoying when appointments are cancelled as we get so keyed up and prepared for them. I do hope it goes well for you on Thursday. Yes the replies have been very helpful and I feel a lot more calm, and resigned, to what happens during my appointment later today.
Went fine today. No FNB which was a relief but had a camera stuck up my nose as consolation. That was not very pleasant but bearable. I have to go back next week for more tests and then will find out the results in a few weeks time. Thanks for remembering and messaging
Hi, I hope your appointment went ahead as scheduled yesterday and was alright. How did the FNB go? I've now heard from the hospital with a date for mine in ten days time.
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