thyroid gland 25% smaller than normal with approx 18 nodules

[JaneCooper67]

Hi, can anyone help me understand what the results of my thyroid ultrasound mean please. The nodules don’t appear to be sinister but there are lots of them. Does a shunk thyroid gland confirm hypothyroidism? My antibody results were normal.

[PurpleNails Administrator]

A small gland might be normal for you.

Hypothyroidism can cause thyroid to either shrink is some, but swell (goitre) in others. 

Autoimmune damage is visible on scan, the echo texture is different, but this has not been mentioned, the pattern is normal.

Nodules are very common & almost considered a normal part of ageing.   Most nodules do not function, so you might expect low hormone levels but high TSH as a result.  

Some nodules function as normal thyroid tissue and some nodules over function  but your results don’t show high thyroid levels.  

An ultrasound scan cant determine function through thyroid - only health  & size of thyroid, so function test results are looked at too.   

Sometimes if nodules are over 1cm doctors suggest fine needle aspiration to test cells - but as small with no concerning features it’s unlikely to be necessary.  

Your thyroid function results from a few months ago do not indicate thyroid antibodies.   Your FT4 & FT3 was in range but on low side of range.

Have you had some help with nutrients?   Optimal nutrients can alter & hopefully improve thyroid function results, or (possibly) raise TSH results revealing hypothyroidism.  

[SlowDragon Administrator]

previous post

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu....

Retest thyroid and vitamin levels in New Year

Meanwhile working on improving low vitamin levels, especially low iron/ferritin

[radd]

JaneCooper67,

When the gland tries to make more hormone due to ineffective production it results in a jelly substance called colloid which encourages cysts and nodules.  Multiple nodules are common, with or without goitre.

They are generally harmless and a sign of extra thyroidal activity usually due to Hashi antibodies. The shrinkage usually indicates a few TRAbs  (blocking antibodies). Again it is common to have a mixture of antibodies. Thankfully your nodules are benign.