isthmus growth : I have been found to have a 2 cm... - Thyroid UK

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isthmus growth

Christie22 profile image
5 Replies

I have been found to have a 2 cm by 1 cm growth in the top of the isthmus of my thyroid lots of unremarkable nodules throughout left and right of thyroid .

I had a FNA which came back benign thankfully but this is causing swallow choke issues and speech is croaky . I think they intend watching and waiting but with the mechanical problems that makes me feel surely it will only get worse . Would appreciate hearing from anyone that’s been here and could tell me there story .

I also have adrenal insufficiency going through tests presently but using HC and FC presently I have auto immune conditions but have been told I don’t have Hasimotos …

thoughts ?

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Christie22 profile image
Christie22
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SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Have you had FULL thyroid and vitamin testing done

U.K. medics never refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s

Hashimoto’s can be mistaken for lupus …

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested.

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies 

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis. 

Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis)

20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis 

In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options and money off codes

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If you can get GP to test vitamins then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via

vitamindtest.org.uk

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning. 

Watch out for postal strikes, probably want to pay for guaranteed 24 hours delivery 

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism 

thyroiduk.org/wp-content/up...

Poniesrfun profile image
Poniesrfun

You might want to find out about radio frequency ablation (RFA) for nodules. facebook.com/groups/saveyou... Check the files for "worldwide doctors". There appear to be a few listed in the UK.

The founder of the FB group gave presentations at this year's ThyCa conference. This is a video of the presentation youtu.be/VvR_UAHD0tg.

At least in the US, RFA is being done only on benign nodules.

Patti in AZ

radd profile image
radd

Christy22,

Welcome to our forum,

Most nodules are caused by over or under active thyroid and a very few by cancer cells which you say has been eliminated anyway. 

If you have thyroid nodules, A.I. and other autoimmune conditions, the chances are you have Hashimotos. Antibodies wax and wane and even run out if the immune system (WBC’s) become depleted after years of elevation. Conventional medicine also only tests for TPOAb’s where as TGAb’s can be equally responsible.  

I could hardly speak before diagnosis as my voice was so hoarse, accompanied by a dry raspy cough. These symptoms immediately improved and my multi nodular goitre shank after being medicated on Levothyroxine. 

If I were you I wouldn’t consider surgery until thyroid hormone FT3 & FT4 have been shown to be optimal. Also adequate iron and nutrients as its possible to have enough thyroid hormone that can't work effectively without its essential cofactors. 

SlowDragon has already provided you with some great resources above.

PurpleNails profile image
PurpleNailsAdministrator

I have a >5cm thyroid nodule,  its grown largely over isthmus but from the left lobe.  

Like you I had a benign FNA & was told function ok, but found out months later the thyroid function results hadn’t been tested.  The other blood test results were “in range” hence admin saying all ok - no further action, file away & close.  No one noticed the missing results. I returned and once tested was diagnosed with hyper levels.    Turns out had had abnormal reading years before but it was missed.  

What was your antibodies level & function results.  You may not have had a full test, & if it’s just in range is may indicate an issue the doctors dismiss it as it’s in range.  

Ear nose & throat - ENT doctors look at issues from a does this need surgery viewpoint & they won’t be looking at function. They will trust that GP will check levels and treat or refer you to endocrinology if there is a (separate) function issue.

Radio frequency ablation target the nodule & less invasive than surgery.  - Its offered at 2 hospitals in UK, London & Berkshire.  Most areas often deny it is a potential option and refuse referrals saying for example there is no funding stream for it.  Patients have had to battle for referral after provide the information themselves.

Batty1 profile image
Batty1

I was told by ENT that I had benign nodules for years as I suffered with swallowing and a constant sensation of having something stuck in my throat and random panic attacks (thyroid levels were always normal) … eventually after years these 3 issues became vicious that I started having a bizarre eye popping experience I was sent to Endo at this point and was diagnosed with thyroid cancer after FNB (not suggesting you have thyroid cancer) but a visit to Endocrinologist might be something you want to pursue instead of ENT …. The Endo told me I should have always been referred to his department not ENT and I definitely agree with this I suffered a very long time feeling like my issues were normal and they weren’t.

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