Surgery Rescheduled, but thyroid nodule found. Scared now...

My surgery (TAH-BSO for multiple, very large, rapidly growing fibroids) was supposed to be last Wednesday but the day before my doc cancelled it because blood work showed I was hypothyroid. I have started medication for that now, along with BP medicine, and surgery has been rescheduled for Oct 8.

I had an ultrasound of my thyroid and my doc said it now showed a "solid nodule." He wants me to see an endocrinologist but the earliest I can get an appointment for THAT is Dec 23!

I am starting to get really scared about what is happening here. Is this long wait for the thyroid exam going to hurt me or my surgery? Is this cancer or what? I have had absolutely NO symptoms of any of this, thyroid or fibroids. It just all showed up in the blood work and ultrasounds. Does anyone out there have any experience with this sort of thing? I've got 3 doctors now that I have to deal with (PCP, GYN and ENDO) and I don't know what to tell any of them. Help!

Finding a nodule can be vey scary. How do I know?! lol Well in 1996 I had one the size of an egg. It ended up being benign, but I did lose half of my thyroid. I am surprised that your doc didn't order a nuclear scan on the nodule to look for hot/cold spots. Even in this case, it never hurts to get a second opinion. Dec. 23rd seems far off, but I would feel better with that date if they had done a nuclear scan. I go for one yearly now.

Did your levels check for antibodies?

You will be in my prayers!!

Lisa

I too have experienced nodules. My enlarged thyroid was found during a routine doctors appt. All of my thyroid levels were very high. I had a thyroid biopsy with good results. My endocrinologist decided the best treatment for me was radioactive. I had that 2 weeks ago and the only side effect I had was a little nausea. I go back to the doc on Sept 25th for a follow up ultrasound. At that point, my blood tests will start back up and then I'll be given medication to take for the rest of my life.

It took me about 2 months to get in with my doctor but he is one of the best in the field so it was worth the wait.

I wish you the best of luck and keep me posted with your outcome and I will do the same with mine!!

I had a thyroidectomry about 4 1/2 years ago for thyroid cancer. It was small, but I has several nodules. They are usually benign, but worst case, if cancerous, there are, I believe, four types of thyroid cancer, and all but one are very slow growing. You probably don't have anything to worry about, but my surgeon, who was head of endocrine surgery and a professor at a major university hospital, told me that if you have to have cancer, thyroid cancer is the one to have, it's the most curable. That being said, I went for years just getting levels checked until I finally changed endos and this one ordered tests, a thyroid uptake scan, etc. It's really a good thing that your doctor is sending you to an endo instead of trying to handle it himself. One thing your doc can order is a thyroglobulin serum test. It's kind of the thyroid cancer marker. December is a terribly long time to wait, especially if you're feeling anxious. You might try to find another endo, but just try to be assured even worst case, it's likely not going to make much difference in waiting. As for surgery, your doctor is right, your levels need to be regulated first, but I couldn't see why the nodule would interfere.

Thanks everyone. I do feel a lot better now after your comments and some research on the web etc. It seems that the vast majority of these nodules are benign and common?? My sister-in-law told me she also has a nodule on her thyroid (benign) and she gave me the name of her ENT and ENDO docs at Hopkins so I will try to get in with them sooner if I can. Thanks for all your well wishes. I will keep all informed as I am able.

Hi, I too had an egg sized nodule and had half my thyroid removed a few years ago, it turned out to be a benign colloid cyst and gave no thyroid dysfunction problems at all and just having half the gland left hasn't altered levels since.I would think that once your levels are corrected they will deal then with the hyst.in view of the fact that your fibroids are fast growing.I wish you all the very best and hope that you are able to get an earlier appt.to ease your concerns.We are all here for you.