Thyroid Goiter...Anyone else? Need advice.

j3nnal3igh13
j3nnal3igh13 Posts: 134
in Motivation and Support
So, January 1st 2011 (No kidding. It was seriuosly the FIRST frickin day of the year) I woke up to a baseball size lump on my throat. Looked in the mirror when I woke up, said "HOLY S**T!", thought I was still drunk, went back to bed. After a month and my "lump" decreasing in size (somewhat) I went to the doctor. This was too weird. Test after test, after test all results came back clean for all my TSH levels and hormones. My cancer scare was benign. My question Is.... It's now been a year since my last check up and I want this "thing" removed because "appearance" wise, it's starting to bother me. However... I looked at some research about removing the "goiter aka:Gross Growth" and what I read, I have to get my whole thyroid removed... meaning drugs for my rest of my life... not to mention the weight struggle I already have. :sad: :indifferent: :explode:
Has anyone else been through this??? What did you do??? Please help! I'm scared SH**LESS!!!!

How I Feel... (So you get the picture... LOL)
vj8km.jpg

Replies

  • ContraryMaryMary
    ContraryMaryMary Posts: 1,786 Member
    I hard a partial thyroidectomy when I was 21. Didn't need drugs until having a baby mixed things up again and I'm now hypothyroid. I say go for it - goitres aren't pretty and the little pills every day is no hassle (for me, anyway).
  • j3nnal3igh13
    j3nnal3igh13 Posts: 134
    Thanks for the feed back. I'm done having children, so hopefully this won't be a "major" problem. I'm just scared of the pills everyday. I know how important your thyroid is... Still scared.
  • ContraryMaryMary
    ContraryMaryMary Posts: 1,786 Member
    If you're scared, sit down and talk to an endocrinologist about your goitre. If your thyroid is currently normal then the growth may not be active thyroid tissue and removing it may not affect it's function at all. I know my surgeon said that a lot of my goitre was dead tissue and my thyroid was probably balancing itself out at the time of my surgery which is why I didn't need medication afterwards.

    Good luck.
  • DreamFeatherLC
    DreamFeatherLC Posts: 12 Member
    I'm hypothyroid. Was diagnosed back in 2005. Never had a goiter. Been on thyroid hormone replacement therapy since the diagnosis and have no complaints. I'm on armour (natural hormone) rather than synthroid/levothyroxine (artificial thyroid hormone) b/c it works better for me. I'd see an endo and also do some major personal research (b/c I'm a big advocate of knowing as much as you can about your own medical conditions)
    I can throw you some good starting point websites if you like....can also go over tsh levels (there have been changes and not every dr is up on the new lab normals) as well as good places to start your research into symptoms etc.
    Good Luck
  • j3nnal3igh13
    j3nnal3igh13 Posts: 134
    Starting point websites would be great. I've been trying, but with my results and problem, they all come up the same. I've looked at hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism and I'm a bit of both. My cancer scare is behind me. All research points me in the direction of getting my whole thyroid removed. But, with the last few comments, I have nothing to be scared of. However, since we're on a fitness site, how have these "drugs" helped or hindered your progress? Or was there no effect?
  • ContraryMaryMary
    ContraryMaryMary Posts: 1,786 Member
    It seems some people don't respond well to synthetic thyroid, however, I've not had a problem with it at all. It's one of those things where you won't know until you get there.
  • thebrowns2004
    thebrowns2004 Posts: 5 Member
    I had a partial thyroidectomy in July to remove a 4cm goiter. Dr. said it was the size of a tennis ball. I never knew it was there. Surgery wasn't bad. Overnight stay in the hospital then home. Recovery wasn't bad either. It's now October and my incision is still sensitive. I did start generic synthroid about a month later. My dr said sometimes the remaining half takes over and produces enough hormone to avoid meds. Mine did not. So, I started on 50mcg and they've upped me once to 75mcg. Tests last week show my levels are great, right in the middle of the range they're looking for. I can tell a difference with the meds in a positive way. If you have half removed, you just do. Try the meds. You can always advocate for a different brand or kind and levels will be checked regularly.
  • Territravel
    Territravel Posts: 165 Member
    My Mother had this problem around ten years ago. The goiter along wiht her thyroid was removed. She has been on daily medication and hasn't had any major problems at all. They have adjusted her meds a few times, but all in all, is well!
  • melonsss
    melonsss Posts: 144 Member
    I currently have a goitre with multi nodles. Await results of biopsy which was taken a few days ago. A thyroid medic told me I would have goitre removed if cancerous. But if non cancerous NHS would be reluctant to remove due to risks involved. However I await an appointment with an endocrinologist to ascertain any treatment plan. Thank you for posting this thread as one feels any form of thyroid treatment is complex.

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