You are wise to be cautious about thyroid surgery. Once it's done, it cannot
be "undone".

Was an Fine Needle Aspiration done?  In my opinion, it's reckless to remove
a thyroid just based on an ultrasound, scan, and "We don't think it's cancer
but we want to remove it."  I can't imagine an endocrinologist not
recommending a FNA.

In my situation (I had never had a history of thyroid disease), and the
doctor's office ordered a scan and ultrasound after finding nodules during
an office visit for a sinus infection.  When these tests results showed
multiple nodules that were "cold", I was sent to the surgeon.  He
recommended the surgery.  I was told that although the risk for cancer
wasn't extremely large due to having multiple nodules, it still could be
cancerous and having a needle biopsy would likely be "inconclusive" and I'd
have to have the surgery anyway.  I asked if they could shrink the nodules
and was told "no".  They removed half of my thyroid and the pathologist said
it wasn't cancer but Hashimoto's.

I have spent the years since surgery trying to get better.  It was
unbelieveable what I went through (besides having a scar around my neck that
wouldn't heal right, my health took a nose dive and I ended up with
exhaustion).  I've used the time to read about thyroid and realized the
doctors made mistakes and gave me wrong information.  If I had to do it all
over again, I would have insisted they sent me to an endocrinologist
experienced in this sort of thing, had a FNA, and requested thyroid
medication to suppress my gland to shrink the nodules.  If the FNA would
have come back inconclusive, then I would have had repeat ones until it
showed me something.

After a variety of thyroid meds, I finally was put on armour, got my T3 and
T4 levels up.  At this point, the sinus infections stopped, the migraines
decreased, the thyroid swelling stopped, and a nodule that had developed on
the remaining lobe went away!

Lilly, you are smart to be cautious of this.  I'd encourage you to read as
much as you can and make sure you are comfortable with the surgery before
you decide to have it.

Deb




-----Original Message-----
From: Thyroid Discussion Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of Lilly
Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2002 6:27 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Help


I am a 32 year old female. I noticed my neck was swollen almost 3
years ago. I went to a doctor and he misdiagnosed me. I weighed about 170
pounds at the time. Until I was 25 years old I weighed less than 140
pounds. I began to loose weight really fast and in 3 months I had lost down
to 130 pounds. I kept the weight off for about 6 months and then as quickly
as I lost the weight I gained it back. I went to a different doctor and he
diagnosed me as hypothyroid. I took Synthroid for 6 months and didn't
notice a difference. I weighed 175 pounds and I couldn't loose weight
despite the diets and exercise. I became severely depressed. I had a
thyroid ultrasound done and they said I had nodules. I ignored my thyroid
for over a year and gained another 50 pounds. I weigh 220 pounds now. I was
always in shape until I
turned 25 and I don't know what to do. I went to an
endocrinologist 3 months ago. He sent me for an ultrasound and a scan. They
proved a goiter with 8 nodules. He sent me to an ENT and they want to
remove the thyroid even though they feel certain it's not cancerous. I am
taking 12.5 mcg of Cytomel(T3). I am still depressed and tired all the
time. I am a housewife so there is no real reason for me to be tired all
the time. I have no energy and I just feel 'bad' most of the time. I work
out for an hour 6 days a week. I can't loose weight. Does anyone have any
suggestions or information? I don't want to have my thyroid removed. I am
scared that I will never be able to loose weight or I will feel even worse.
email: [log in to unmask]    Thank You!!



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_______________________________________________________________
  Thyroid Welcome Message (Instructions) Always Available
 Anyone can obtain a fresh, new copy of the Thyroid Welcome
 message at any time (24/7) by sending an e-mail message
 saying only "get Thyroid Welcome" (remove quotes) to our
 sleepless robot at <[log in to unmask]>. Its free.
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