Query re nodules

[Feedbackwelcome]

Hi all,New to this so any input appreciated, so currently have 6 nodules varying in size and 2 solid, rest iso - hypoechoic, largest 17×9×9 mm, bloods.with in normal. Been referred to general surgery so on waiting list . Swallow and sore throat on and off for a while now also voice changes.

Why have I no symptoms for.wks and then suddenly they all back, do the nodules move change in size, im absolutely lost why is this on off?

, also why are my bloods normal?

What should i execpt when i am called for general surgery consult.

TIA

[PurpleNails Administrator]

Welcome to forum.

Surgeons won’t be looking at thyroid levels they will purely be looking at the physical thyroid from a does this require surgery viewpoint.

If your swallowing & voice is affected and you are having pain surgery may be necessary.

Are your blood test normal? Many are told they are.

Recommend you get a copy of results with lab range (printed or online access) and let’s check that.

The results may be in range - which is what drs look for - but have you had a full thyroid blood test & are they optimally in range or is it that your levels are somewhere in range? There’s a big difference.

I have a large solitary nodule & after scan, blood test & Fine needle aspiration, I was told “ all fine, no further action” I said really are you sure? Were the levels really ok? I Was assured yes. Many months later it was discovered that the thyroid blood tests weren’t processed & it turned out they abnormal & looking back further they’d been abnormal many years but was never followed up.

It might also be a basic test has been run but not a complete set. For full thyroid its important to test

TSH, FT4, FT3, TPO & TG antibodies.

Also important to test folate ferritin B12 & vitamin D.

Changing size sounds like levels could be fluctuating which occurs with autoimmune so testing thyroid antibodies will check for this.

[Feedbackwelcome in reply to PurpleNails]

Thanks for replying, are cervical lymph nodes part of this condition also

[Feedbackwelcome in reply to PurpleNails]

My bloods were checked for tyroid levels so all normal, but I'll ask for a copy just in case

[Beads]

I have multiple nodules, some hypo echoic (so they don’t reflect the ultrasound back, appear dark), some hyper echoic (they do reflect the ultrasound back and appear light). Depending on the size and echogenicity they’ll be categorised between nothing-to-worry-about and oh-shit!

I got a 2 week referral to the ENT dept at the hospital. Because I said I could feel a lump in my throat and things like paracetamol got stuck going down I had an appointment for a barium swallow and a further more thorough ultrasound before my 2 week appointment came through. The more thorough ultrasound downgraded one of the oh-shit nodules to nothing-to-be-worried-about and a further ultrasound with a fine needle aspiration to look at cells to see if they’re truly nasty.

It depends on how nasty they deem the nodules to be as to how fast you get the appointment, nasty looking ones that don’t impact your life will be more urgent than having an issue swallowing, will be more urgent than my neck looks funny but I can swallow etc.

But the general gist is you’ll be slotted in where they think you ought to be based on your ultrasound results, then you’ll get a series of physical tests, the only blood test they did for me was clotting factors before the FNA, they’re not bothered by hormone levels. If you’re unlucky enough to be seen at Croydon, there will be a massive amount of pacing the waiting room as the clinics seem to run hours behind schedule.

[Feedbackwelcome in reply to Beads]

That's good to know , and hopefully I'll get seen soon which will probably shed more light on it

[Feedbackwelcome]

That's the area I was referred to surgery so have nt had a consultation yet so no idea p.o.a