Repeat thyroid biopsy

[Suecoo66]

I had my biopsy on 31st May & 3wks later get a call asking to repeat as the sample only contained blood. Is this common?

[PurpleNails Administrator]

Yes, sample failure is quite high with thyroid FNA.

I think it was mentioned to me at the time & more than 1 sample was taken during my appointment.

Will another appointment be arranged for you?

[Suecoo66 in reply to PurpleNails]

Yes I've got to have it done Monday night. They did do it twice when I was there

[Hedgeree]

Hi Suecoo66,

I'm not sure if it's common or not but I've had two biopses so far on my thyroid nodule and having them every 6 - 8 weeks currently. On both occasions they quickly checked the sample under a microscope before I'd left the room in order to confirm that they had enough of a sample to process.

On the second biopsy I bled quite a bit and after checking the sample they repeated the biopsy before I left as there wasnt enough useable sample.

I remember at the time thinking that this was a good idea and saves the hassle of having to go back if the sample isn't right for whatever reason. So different technicians and hospitals may do it differently and so in your case they are asking you to repeat the biopsy as they don't seem to have got enough of the sample.

Some other more experienced forum members will be able to tell you if this is common or not.

Best wishes.

[serenfach]

Yes, happened to me twice. The third time I asked for someone else to do it.

"nip back" they said. A one hundred mile round trip...

[Suecoo66 in reply to serenfach]

Oh god I thought my 50 mile round trip was bad!