Thyroid Nodules - Advice Please 🙏

[StaffyMam]

I'm new here and it's my first time posting. It was noticed I had a large nodule on my thyroid while having a CT scan for an unrelated issue 5 weeks ago. I can feel a large lump on the right hand side of my neck which is also visible and an ultrasound scan has since confirmed there are several nodules on both sides of my thyroid, one of them on the right hand side being quite large.

I have received a letter saying these nodules are benign and no further action is required however, this is from the stroke ward and the scan results have not been seen by a thyroid specialist. I am currently following this up and have a blood test booked with my GP as I feel considering the symptoms I am having (which I had thought were menopause) and the size and number of nodules, further investigations are justified. However, blood tests I had for my thyroid 12 months ago when starting HRT did come back normal at that time.

Do you have any advice on if I am doing right, by pushing for further investigations?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Definitely

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested

Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once to see if your hypothyroidism is autoimmune

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

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high TPO and/or high TG 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.

Significant minority of Hashimoto’s patients only have high TG antibodies (thyroglobulin)

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 that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test

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

Post all about what time of day to test

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Testing options and includes money off codes for private testing

thyroiduk.org/testing/

Medichecks Thyroid plus BOTH TPO and TG antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes BOTH TPO and TG antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/testing/thyro...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism

thyroiduk.org/signs-and-sym...

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test

support.medichecks.com/hc/e...

Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee

[StaffyMam in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you so much for this. I have a blood test at 8.50am tomorrow so can start the ball rolling 🤞

[FallingInReverse]

SD’s response is on point.

Out of curiosity, do you have your thyroid blood test results from 12 months ago that you can share?

[StaffyMam in reply to FallingInReverse]

I can get this when I have my blood test tomorrow and will share it then thank you 😊

[StaffyMam in reply to FallingInReverse]

Hi FallingIn Reverse

My results from last year are TSH 1.77. This is all they tested, I am assuming this may not give the full story?

My nurse also confirmed I have a nodule 3.7 x 3.7 x 3.6 mm on my right side and a nodule 11mm on the left side. I know I have quite a few smaller ones on both sides as I asked to see the scan at the time. What would usually be the recommended next steps for this please?

[Alternatively]

Hi Staffymam,

I’m in the UK. My experience of nodules ….

Discovered lump on right side of thyroid, went for nhs ultrasound, was told to keep an eye on it but nothing to worry about. They said I also had smaller nodules on the left side.

I thought how can I keep an eye on it , they don’t give you a print out of the images so that I can compare them with another ultrasound in 12 months time, but then I happened to be in London just afterwards and was passing by a private ultrasound clinic. I went in on the off chance and they were able to scan me AND gave me a print out of the nodules.

The Sonographer at the private clinic was very worried about the largest nodule and said it needed investigation.

So back to the nhs with this evidence who then did a biopsy. The results of this were inconclusive but as there was a chance the lump could be malignant they decided to operate to remove just this right side. Once removed, they biopsied it again and the result was that it was a “low grade” cancer, the type that wouldn’t have spread and so no further treatment was needed.

My pre op blood tests showed no signs of hypothyroidism. They told me my remaining thyroid would most probably compensate , but it didn’t in my case and so I was prescribed Levothyroxine.

Hope it helps to read about the experience of another forum member.

The private ultrasound company seemed to have a much better and clearer ultrasound machine than the one in my nhs hospital!

[StaffyMam in reply to Alternatively]

Thank you so much for this, it's very helpful. I hope you are doing okay now 🤞