Well, I skimmed the entire 6 pages and only found one post (and no answers) with this issue, so here goes...
Over the last week or two I have been diagnosed with thyroid cysts/nodules. There is a 2 cm. cyst on the left of my thyroid and a smaller one on the right side. I have had an MRI (that's how they found it - the MRI was for something unrelated to thyroid). Because of the MRI findings, I had an ultrasound of the thyroid and that confirmed the cysts or nodules. I am having an "uptake and scan" on Wednesday, the 8th, which involves taking a low-dose radioactive capsule and then having a scan after 6 hrs. and another after 24 hours. I find out the results Monday the 13th. Anyone with any experience with this? I know that the tests are to rule out malignancy. I haven't had any symptoms that I know of...I'm just trying to find out as much as I can.
TIA 
I know this is an old post, but I am wondering if any of you have had this problem and if you know if it is related to hypo or hyperthyroidism?
After I had the flu this Thanksgiving, I developed a swollen thyroid and was unable to swallow. I went to the ER and they sent me for an MRI. The MRI showed two nodules on the left side. They sent me to my doctor the next day and she sent me to a specialist the day after that. They were pretty concerned and told me they would have to do a biopsy. The specialist was very unconcerned and basically insinuated that because I was overweight and young, I couldn't have any problems and sent me home. I don't even think he looked at my MRI, because he sent it home with me and told me to bring it back later. He didn't do a biopsy; he barely even looked at me. My doctor scheduled an ultrasound because the ER doctor had suggested it. The ultrasound tech said there were two nodules on the left and one on the right. He said that they would need to do a biopsy. My doctor sent me a note saying I needed to f/u with the specialist and then they would do another ultrasound in 6 months. I told her I would not go back to that specialist and that I had been having some weird symptoms (internal shakiness, lost 20 lbs in 2 weeks, ear pain, etc) so she ordered another thyroid blood test. My TSH had been fine (so they said before) but now it is abnormal (don't know yet how much). She has scheduled me for a nuclear medicine scan soon and I am switching doctors so she will send the results up to him.
My question is whether anyone has had this happen to them and if they later developed hypothyroidism from it? My understanding is that the thyroid is damaged by these nodules and that if it is damaged, it can stop the thyroid from working. Also, has anyone had this test done and found cancerous nodules? It's all been so confusing to me since the doctors can't decide whether to be concerned or not. I just want to figure it out and get on with my life. Thanks for any information anyone has.
When I was pregnant with my 3rd baby, a little over 5 years ago, my doctor noticed that my thyroid was enlarged. I was sent for a ultrasound, and they found a couple nodules in my thyroid. After my daughter was born, they did a biopsy to see if it was cancerous. It wasn't. Since then, no doctor has been able to tell me if I should be concerned, or if there is anything I can do to shrink my thyroid or get rid of the nodules. I get my thyroid levels tested once or twice a year, and I've had another ultrasound to monitor the growth of the nodules. It showed no significant growth. My thyroid levels are in the normal range, though I do seem to have the signs of hypothyroidism (dry skin and hair, weight gain, brittle nails, tiredness, thinning hair, etc.)
A couple years ago, I read a book by Sam Brownstein (think that's the name), called Iodine: Why You Need It and Why You Can't Live Without It. It's a pretty interesting book. I've been wanting to do the iodine fulfillment therapy that he talks about, I think it would really help my thyroid. But I've never been able to get an answer on whether or not it would be good to do while pregnant or nursing, and my doctor seems to think that it wouldn't be. I do take one tablet of Iodoral a day (though I've been out for a couple months), but I haven't noticed it making me feel any better. Now I'm just waiting to be done nursing and hoping I won't get pregnant again yet (well, kind of, lol), so that I can do the iodine therapy.
So, I know I didn't answer your questions, sorry.
It's been frustrating, nobody seems to be able to give me any answers. But I do recommend you read that book, it's pretty interesting. He also wrote a book that's just about the thyroid, but it had a lot of the same stuff in it.
~Andrea
