Re: Could this be a goiter?

[Guest guest]

Hi Pam,

Sorry to hear you are going through this fear/worry/wait period. I have a goiter and when I was told I freaked and was sent for all kinds of tests.

Your doctor will do a physical exam of your neck area by having you swallow bits of water while they grab or “pinch” your neck area, feeling for actual lumps.

If they do feel or see something, big ones are visible!, they will send you for a sonogram and then possibly an uptake scan — both of which are totally painless.

If they see goiter or mass they will want to do a fine needle biopsy to rule out cancer. I know this is all very scary — I nearly wrecked my well being worrying about it.

I remember when I got to the doctor after all the scans and tests I was shaking, a mess — and the doctor asked what I was most afraid of. And I told him, “Cancer of course, and dying.”

He assured me that thyroid cancer is the MOST treatable and curable form of cancer but that I did not have cancer — I had a goiter — a measurable mass and I was put on meds. I am currently having them adjusted.

As far as the goiter, they monitor that — sometimes the right meds can help shrink it but they will watch it and do follow up scans as necessary.

Try and take it one step at a time and going to have it checked out is the best you can do — not knowing is really the worst part many times.

Keep up posted, I will send some good thoughts your way!

Sue

I having been reading to prepare for my drs appt next week, and I'm

amazed that all of my weird symptoms are possibly tracing back to my

thyroid. Now I'm reading about one that I've tried to ignore, and now

I'm actually worried. For a month or longer I've had what feels like a

lump in my throat. The only way I can describe it is it feels like

something has choked me up and I'm about to cry...you know that

feeling? But the lump doesn't go away. If this is a goiter, who is it

diagnosed? Is there a self-exam? What are the probable treatments?

My mother had a goiter removed when she was in her 50s which left a

horrible scar on her neck. So obviously now I'm a little more than

nervous.

[Guest guest]

Thanks so much! Can you describe what yours felt like? I'm reasonably sure I have hypo because of my symptoms...I just didn't expect it to be as serious as a goiter. Sheesh!jytdtp wrote: Hi Pam,Sorry to hear you are going through this fear/worry/wait period. I have a goiter and when I was told I freaked and was sent for all kinds of tests.Your doctor will do a physical exam of your neck area by having you swallow bits of water while they grab or “pinch” your neck area, feeling for actual lumps.If they do feel or see something, big ones are visible!, they will send you for a sonogram and then possibly an uptake scan — both of which are totally painless.If they see goiter or mass they will want to do a

fine needle biopsy to rule out cancer. I know this is all very scary — I nearly wrecked my well being worrying about it.I remember when I got to the doctor after all the scans and tests I was shaking, a mess — and the doctor asked what I was most afraid of. And I told him, “Cancer of course, and dying.”He assured me that thyroid cancer is the MOST treatable and curable form of cancer but that I did not have cancer — I had a goiter — a measurable mass and I was put on meds. I am currently having them adjusted.As far as the goiter, they monitor that — sometimes the right meds can help shrink it but they will watch it and do follow up scans as necessary.Try and take it one step at a time and going to have it checked out is the best you can do — not knowing is really the worst part many times.Keep up posted, I will send some good thoughts your way!SueOn 2/23/06 10:59 AM, "pamr40"

wrote: I having been reading to prepare for my drs appt next week, and I'm amazed that all of my weird symptoms are possibly tracing back to my thyroid. Now I'm reading about one that I've tried to ignore, and now I'm actually worried. For a month or longer I've had what feels like a lump in my throat. The only way I can describe it is it feels like something has choked me up and I'm about to cry...you know that feeling? But the lump doesn't go away. If this is a goiter, who is it diagnosed? Is there a self-exam? What are the probable treatments? My mother had a goiter removed when she was in her 50s which left a horrible scar on her neck. So obviously now I'm a little more than nervous.

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[Guest guest]

All goiter means is you have an enlarged thyroid. It really doesn't

indicate the severity of your disease.

>

> I having been reading to prepare for my drs appt next week, and I'm

> amazed that all of my weird symptoms are possibly tracing back to my

> thyroid. Now I'm reading about one that I've tried to ignore, and now

> I'm actually worried. For a month or longer I've had what feels like a

> lump in my throat. The only way I can describe it is it feels like

> something has choked me up and I'm about to cry...you know that

> feeling? But the lump doesn't go away. If this is a goiter, who is it

> diagnosed? Is there a self-exam? What are the probable treatments?

> My mother had a goiter removed when she was in her 50s which left a

> horrible scar on her neck. So obviously now I'm a little more than

> nervous.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Pam,

My symptoms were difficulty swallowing and I had actual pain sometimes down the side of my affected neck — I have never been able to swallow pills bigger than a child’s aspirin.

I had/have pain/soreness at the base of my ear in front right at the jawline and I was gaining weight. So they ran lots of tests and did all the exams to RULE out any SERIOUS illness.

The worry comes from the unknown and the waiting and being told just enough to not know what the heck is going on with you --- they will check it out and explain to you what it all means. In the meantime you may want to look up goiter on the web — I am a RESEARCH JUNKIE/ADDICT and went into my doc office knowing more than I needed to but it helped explain what they needed me to know and why they ran certain tests, etc.

My goiter is just a lump — it’s there and it has not grown in two years though I have a check up next week and will know for sure but it’s been holding steady and got a little smaller. If you have nodules along with the goiter then they will check for cancer, etc. -- sorry I mixed those too up --- goiter is just enlarged thyroid and nodules are the little bumps and lumps — again, sorry I mixed that up!

Trouble swallowing is a common symptom, some of us have pain — I know I do and it flares cyclically with my monthly.

I didn’t mean to worry you — only to let you know I understand that alarm that can come from not knowing what’s going on.

Sue

All goiter means is you have an enlarged thyroid. It really doesn't

indicate the severity of your disease.

>

> I having been reading to prepare for my drs appt next week, and I'm

> amazed that all of my weird symptoms are possibly tracing back to my

> thyroid. Now I'm reading about one that I've tried to ignore, and now

> I'm actually worried. For a month or longer I've had what feels like a

> lump in my throat. The only way I can describe it is it feels like

> something has choked me up and I'm about to cry...you know that

> feeling? But the lump doesn't go away. If this is a goiter, who is it

> diagnosed? Is there a self-exam? What are the probable treatments?

> My mother had a goiter removed when she was in her 50s which left a

> horrible scar on her neck. So obviously now I'm a little more than

> nervous.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Sue I do appreciate the information. I'm reading everything I can find...and so far everything seems indicative of hypo and/or Hashi. To further complicate my life I was diagnosed 2 years ago with Iron Overload so I've been on a learning curve trying to learn to live with that. I guess if nothing else I'll be really smart once this mystery is solved....if only I could remember it! loljytdtp wrote: Hi Pam,My symptoms were difficulty swallowing and I had actual pain sometimes down the side of my affected neck — I have never been able to swallow pills bigger than a child’s aspirin. I had/have pain/soreness at the base of my ear in front right at the jawline and I was gaining weight. So they ran lots of tests and did all the

exams to RULE out any SERIOUS illness.The worry comes from the unknown and the waiting and being told just enough to not know what the heck is going on with you --- they will check it out and explain to you what it all means. In the meantime you may want to look up goiter on the web — I am a RESEARCH JUNKIE/ADDICT and went into my doc office knowing more than I needed to but it helped explain what they needed me to know and why they ran certain tests, etc.My goiter is just a lump — it’s there and it has not grown in two years though I have a check up next week and will know for sure but it’s been holding steady and got a little smaller. If you have nodules along with the goiter then they will check for cancer, etc. -- sorry I mixed those too up --- goiter is just enlarged thyroid and nodules are the little bumps and lumps — again, sorry I mixed that up!Trouble swallowing is a common symptom, some of us have pain — I know I do and it flares cyclically with my

monthly.I didn’t mean to worry you — only to let you know I understand that alarm that can come from not knowing what’s going on. Sue All goiter means is you have an enlarged thyroid. It really doesn'tindicate the severity of your disease.> > I having been reading to prepare for my drs appt next week, and I'm > amazed that all of my weird symptoms are possibly tracing back to my > thyroid. Now I'm reading about one that I've tried to ignore, and now > I'm actually worried. For a month or longer I've had what feels like a > lump in my throat. The only way I can describe it is it feels like > something has choked me up

and I'm about to cry...you know that > feeling? But the lump doesn't go away. If this is a goiter, who is it > diagnosed? Is there a self-exam? What are the probable treatments? > My mother had a goiter removed when she was in her 50s which left a > horrible scar on her neck. So obviously now I'm a little more than > nervous.> > > > > > >

[Guest guest]

Hi Pam,

There’s tons of info out there so it’s good to go in knowing as much as you can. Have you had any blood work recently to get your TSH, T3 and T4 levels or is that coming up? Who found your goiter and told you about it and what did they do for it, or did they just recommend a specialist?

I think we are all learning and struggling with our overlapped symptoms and those lucky enough to have found “relief” are an inspiration to us all – I am grateful to have found this group — I thought I was the only one with all these “weird” symptoms and certainly the only one the docs didn’t know what to do with! LOL! I know it’s not funny but humor is my best weapon against all stress, it’s my “coping” device!

Keep us posted please....

Sue

Sue I do appreciate the information. I'm reading everything I can find...and so far everything seems indicative of hypo and/or Hashi. To further complicate my life I was diagnosed 2 years ago with Iron Overload so I've been on a learning curve trying to learn to live with that. I guess if nothing else I'll be really smart once this mystery is solved....if only I could remember it! lol

jytdtp wrote:

Hi Pam,

My symptoms were difficulty swallowing and I had actual pain sometimes down the side of my affected neck — I have never been able to swallow pills bigger than a child’s aspirin.

I had/have pain/soreness at the base of my ear in front right at the jawline and I was gaining weight. So they ran lots of tests and did all the exams to RULE out any SERIOUS illness.

The worry comes from the unknown and the waiting and being told just enough to not know what the heck is going on with you --- they will check it out and explain to you what it all means. In the meantime you may want to look up goiter on the web — I am a RESEARCH JUNKIE/ADDICT and went into my doc office knowing more than I needed to but it helped explain what they needed me to know and why they ran certain tests, etc.

My goiter is just a lump — it’s there and it has not grown in two years though I have a check up next week and will know for sure but it’s been holding steady and got a little smaller. If you have nodules along with the goiter then they will check for cancer, etc. -- sorry I mixed those too up --- goiter is just enlarged thyroid and nodules are the little bumps and lumps — again, sorry I mixed that up!

Trouble swallowing is a common symptom, some of us have pain — I know I do and it flares cyclically with my monthly.

I didn’t mean to worry you — only to let you know I understand that alarm that can come from not knowing what’s going on.

Sue

[Guest guest]

I have an appt on Tuesday for a full check up. I saw an endo 2 yrs ago and he found a small goiter but told me my blood work was fine and there was no reason to do anything at that time. Since then I had a full hysterectomy and within the last 3-4 months I've been having major hypothyroid symptoms. So I made an appt with another doctor and started reading to get myself prepared. It didn't occur to me until I read something today that this constant feeling of a knot in my throat, shortness of breath at times and raspy voice after singing much at all could be the goiter. Before, when the dr said he found it, I didn't notice anything at all. Now I can definitely tell something is there. As for the sense of humor....I feel your pain. If I didn't laugh about my hair falling out, my memory loss and exhaustion I'd probably pull my hair out...wait, its coming out on its own! Arrrrrgh!jytdtp

wrote: Hi Pam,There’s tons of info out there so it’s good to go in knowing as much as you can. Have you had any blood work recently to get your TSH, T3 and T4 levels or is that coming up? Who found your goiter and told you about it and what did they do for it, or did they just recommend a specialist?I think we are all learning and struggling with our overlapped symptoms and those lucky enough to have found “relief” are an inspiration to us all – I am grateful to have found this group — I thought I was the only one with all these “weird” symptoms and certainly the only one the docs didn’t know what to do with! LOL! I know it’s not funny but humor is my best weapon against all stress, it’s my “coping” device!Keep us posted

please....Sue Sue I do appreciate the information. I'm reading everything I can find...and so far everything seems indicative of hypo and/or Hashi. To further complicate my life I was diagnosed 2 years ago with Iron Overload so I've been on a learning curve trying to learn to live with that. I guess if nothing else I'll be really smart once this mystery is solved....if only I could remember it! loljytdtp wrote: Hi Pam,My symptoms were difficulty swallowing and I had actual pain sometimes down the side of my affected neck — I have never been able to swallow pills bigger than a child’s aspirin. I had/have

pain/soreness at the base of my ear in front right at the jawline and I was gaining weight. So they ran lots of tests and did all the exams to RULE out any SERIOUS illness.The worry comes from the unknown and the waiting and being told just enough to not know what the heck is going on with you --- they will check it out and explain to you what it all means. In the meantime you may want to look up goiter on the web — I am a RESEARCH JUNKIE/ADDICT and went into my doc office knowing more than I needed to but it helped explain what they needed me to know and why they ran certain tests, etc.My goiter is just a lump — it’s there and it has not grown in two years though I have a check up next week and will know for sure but it’s been holding steady and got a little smaller. If you have nodules along with the goiter then they will check for cancer, etc. -- sorry I mixed those too up --- goiter is just enlarged thyroid and nodules are the little bumps and lumps — again,

sorry I mixed that up!Trouble swallowing is a common symptom, some of us have pain — I know I do and it flares cyclically with my monthly.I didn’t mean to worry you — only to let you know I understand that alarm that can come from not knowing what’s going on. Sue

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[Guest guest]

Pam — let us know how it goes. My appt with my endo is Friday, the 3rd of March. My symptoms of late are weight gain, hair loss, fullness in throat, neck pain on side of goiter, and raging PMS/premenopausal symptoms from mood swings to dizziness to no energy, etc. fun isn’t it?? !

I am hoping that when we add the cytomel T2 to my current levoxyl it will help boost my metabolism and help with the jaw/ear area pain though I supspect that is indeed TMJ as it also has a way of causing a “ringing” in the ear that is pronounced when I grit my teeth (I am a self employed book designer/typesetter so I do that a lot with tight deadlines LOL!!), so a visit to a speicalist for TMJ is on the list of “to do this year hopefully” schtuff!

Do you take HRT, I am guessing you have to..i don’t know much about that area yet...? How old are you? I am 48 on Saturday.

Sue

I have an appt on Tuesday for a full check up. I saw an endo 2 yrs ago and he found a small goiter but told me my blood work was fine and there was no reason to do anything at that time. Since then I had a full hysterectomy and within the last 3-4 months I've been having major hypothyroid symptoms. So I made an appt with another doctor and started reading to get myself prepared. It didn't occur to me until I read something today that this constant feeling of a knot in my throat, shortness of breath at times and raspy voice after singing much at all could be the goiter. Before, when the dr said he found it, I didn't notice anything at all. Now I can definitely tell something is there. As for the sense of humor....I feel your pain. If I didn't laugh about my hair falling out, my memory loss and exhaustion I'd probably pull my hair out...wait, its coming out on its own! Arrrrrgh!

jytdtp wrote:

Hi Pam,

There’s tons of info out there so it’s good to go in knowing as much as you can. Have you had any blood work recently to get your TSH, T3 and T4 levels or is that coming up? Who found your goiter and told you about it and what did they do for it, or did they just recommend a specialist?

I think we are all learning and struggling with our overlapped symptoms and those lucky enough to have found “relief” are an inspiration to us all – I am grateful to have found this group — I thought I was the only one with all these “weird” symptoms and certainly the only one the docs didn’t know what to do with! LOL! I know it’s not funny but humor is my best weapon against all stress, it’s my “coping” device!

Keep us posted please....

Sue

[Guest guest]

I take Estradiol and I'm 46. Although some days I feel twice that lately! loljytdtp wrote: Pam — let us know how it goes. My appt with my endo is Friday, the 3rd of March. My symptoms of late are weight gain, hair loss, fullness in throat, neck pain on side of goiter, and raging PMS/premenopausal symptoms from mood swings to dizziness to no energy, etc. fun isn’t it?? !I am hoping that when we add the cytomel T2 to my current levoxyl it will help boost my metabolism and help with the jaw/ear area pain though I supspect that is indeed TMJ as it also has a way of causing a “ringing” in the ear that is pronounced when I grit my teeth (I am a self employed book designer/typesetter so I do that a lot with tight deadlines LOL!!), so a

visit to a speicalist for TMJ is on the list of “to do this year hopefully” schtuff! Do you take HRT, I am guessing you have to..i don’t know much about that area yet...? How old are you? I am 48 on Saturday.Sue I have an appt on Tuesday for a full check up. I saw an endo 2 yrs ago and he found a small goiter but told me my blood work was fine and there was no reason to do anything at that time. Since then I had a full hysterectomy and within the last 3-4 months I've been having major hypothyroid symptoms. So I made an appt with another doctor and started reading to get myself prepared. It didn't occur to me until I read something today that this constant feeling of a knot in my throat, shortness of breath at times and raspy voice after singing much at all

could be the goiter. Before, when the dr said he found it, I didn't notice anything at all. Now I can definitely tell something is there. As for the sense of humor....I feel your pain. If I didn't laugh about my hair falling out, my memory loss and exhaustion I'd probably pull my hair out...wait, its coming out on its own! Arrrrrgh!jytdtp wrote: Hi Pam,There’s tons of info out there so it’s good to go in knowing as much as you can. Have you had any blood work recently to get your TSH, T3 and T4 levels or is that coming up? Who found your goiter and told you about it and what did they do for it, or did they just recommend a specialist?I think we are all learning and struggling with our overlapped symptoms and those lucky enough to have found “relief” are an

inspiration to us all – I am grateful to have found this group — I thought I was the only one with all these “weird” symptoms and certainly the only one the docs didn’t know what to do with! LOL! I know it’s not funny but humor is my best weapon against all stress, it’s my “coping” device!Keep us posted please....Sue

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[Guest guest]

Pam --

Does your doc monitor your hormone levels? I have a friend who also had a hysterectomy two years ago and is on estrogen and horrible hot flashes, mood swings, etc but her doc won’t do any bloodwork. I wonder how the heck they come up with a “formula” in that area!! Not looking forward to those days... I wish my mom were still alive so I could ask her when she hit menopause and how it was... They say it can be similar with mother/daughter.

Well, I gotta go “hit the books” - the clients are getting restless.

Will look to see your updates from the doc for sure... I am always interested in what is going on with others, especially those who have very similar symptoms as mine – gosh we are almost the same age too, this is beginning to look like a conspiracy for females our age group.... !! At least they went from burning at the stake, to Shock treatment to medicating us over the centuries...my goodness what it must have been like in earlier times, I can’t imagine!!

Sue

I take Estradiol and I'm 46. Although some days I feel twice that lately! lol

jytdtp wrote:

Pam — let us know how it goes. My appt with my endo is Friday, the 3rd of March. My symptoms of late are weight gain, hair loss, fullness in throat, neck pain on side of goiter, and raging PMS/premenopausal symptoms from mood swings to dizziness to no energy, etc. fun isn’t it?? !

I am hoping that when we add the cytomel T2 to my current levoxyl it will help boost my metabolism and help with the jaw/ear area pain though I supspect that is indeed TMJ as it also has a way of causing a “ringing” in the ear that is pronounced when I grit my teeth (I am a self employed book designer/typesetter so I do that a lot with tight deadlines LOL!!), so a visit to a speicalist for TMJ is on the list of “to do this year hopefully” schtuff!

Do you take HRT, I am guessing you have to..i don’t know much about that area yet...? How old are you? I am 48 on Saturday.

Sue

[Guest guest]

Pam,

I read the other post explaining the procedures done to diagnose goiter, etc. That is basically what I had done. My tumors (not sure if called goiter or not) were very painful, pressing in on my esophagus and vocal cords. I had pain while talking, eating, couldn't raise voice, etc. I had mine removed last December. I do have the horrible scar on my neck and am wearing high neck shirts and scarfs to cover it. But, those suckers are out of my neck and I am glad. The scar will fade eventually, I went through this when I busted my chin open a few years ago and you can't even see that scar.

But, I wish I had talked to these guys before the surgery. I may have tried to make the tumors go away by taking thyroid hormoes, if I had known I could. But, the surgeon felt it best to remove them based on the amount of pain I was in and I don't regret it.

Could this be a goiter?

I having been reading to prepare for my drs appt next week, and I'm amazed that all of my weird symptoms are possibly tracing back to my thyroid. Now I'm reading about one that I've tried to ignore, and now I'm actually worried. For a month or longer I've had what feels like a lump in my throat. The only way I can describe it is it feels like something has choked me up and I'm about to cry...you know that feeling? But the lump doesn't go away. If this is a goiter, who is it diagnosed? Is there a self-exam? What are the probable treatments? My mother had a goiter removed when she was in her 50s which left a horrible scar on her neck. So obviously now I'm a little more than nervous.

[Guest guest]

- Pain is a red flag with thyroid nodules. Pain says that they are either rather large and/or growing rapidly. Only very small nodules can be shrunk with a suppressive dose of thyroid hormone. Even then, you have only about a 50% chance of shrinking them. You probably did the right thing in having a thyroidectomy. jan Cauley wrote: Pam, I read the other post explaining the procedures done to diagnose goiter, etc. That is basically what I had done. My tumors (not sure if called goiter or not) were very painful, pressing in on my esophagus and vocal cords. I had pain while talking, eating, couldn't raise voice, etc. I had mine removed last December. I do have the horrible scar on my neck and am wearing high neck shirts and scarfs to cover it. But, those suckers are out of my neck and I am glad. The scar will fade eventually, I went through this when I busted my chin open a few years ago and you can't even see that scar. But, I wish I had talked to these guys before the surgery. I may have tried to make

the tumors go away by taking thyroid hormoes, if I had known I could. But, the surgeon felt it best to remove them based on the amount of pain I was in and I don't regret it.

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[Guest guest]

Thanks for the info Jan. I had been second guessing myself, but my hair is growing back in, I am not as cold, etc. So, I think my thyroid is getting regulated finally. If only I could get my energy level back to normal...working on it.

Re: Could this be a goiter?

-

Pain is a red flag with thyroid nodules. Pain says that they are either rather large and/or growing rapidly. Only very small nodules can be shrunk with a suppressive dose of thyroid hormone. Even then, you have only about a 50% chance of shrinking them.

You probably did the right thing in having a thyroidectomy.

jan

Cauley wrote:

Pam,

I read the other post explaining the procedures done to diagnose goiter, etc. That is basically what I had done. My tumors (not sure if called goiter or not) were very painful, pressing in on my esophagus and vocal cords. I had pain while talking, eating, couldn't raise voice, etc. I had mine removed last December. I do have the horrible scar on my neck and am wearing high neck shirts and scarfs to cover it. But, those suckers are out of my neck and I am glad. The scar will fade eventually, I went through this when I busted my chin open a few years ago and you can't even see that scar.

But, I wish I had talked to these guys before the surgery. I may have tried to make the tumors go away by taking thyroid hormoes, if I had known I could. But, the surgeon felt it best to remove them based on the amount of pain I was in and I don't regret it.

Yahoo! MailUse Photomail to share photos without annoying attachments.

[Guest guest]

Even after your are on your optimal doses of your optimal thyroid meds, it can take 6-18 months or even longer to recover. The longer you were untreated or undertreated, the longer it will take to be completely symptom free. Hypothyroidism causes tissue damage throughout your body. That takes time to heal. Cauley wrote: Thanks for the info Jan. I had been second guessing myself, but my hair is growing back in, I am not as cold, etc. So, I think my thyroid is getting regulated finally. If only I could get my energy level

back to normal...working on it. Re: Could this be a goiter? - Pain is a red flag with thyroid nodules. Pain says that they are either rather large and/or growing rapidly. Only very small nodules can be shrunk with a suppressive dose of thyroid hormone. Even then, you have only about a 50% chance of shrinking them. You probably did the right thing in having a thyroidectomy. jan Cauley

wrote: Pam, I read the other post explaining the procedures done to diagnose goiter, etc. That is basically what I had done. My tumors (not sure if called goiter or not) were very painful, pressing in on my esophagus and vocal cords. I had pain while talking, eating, couldn't raise voice, etc. I had mine removed last December. I do have the horrible scar on my neck and am wearing high neck shirts and scarfs to cover it. But, those suckers are out of my neck and I am glad. The scar

will fade eventually, I went through this when I busted my chin open a few years ago and you can't even see that scar. But, I wish I had talked to these guys before the surgery. I may have tried to make the tumors go away by taking thyroid hormoes, if I had known I could. But, the surgeon felt it best to remove them based on the amount of pain I was in and I don't regret it.

Relax. Yahoo! Mail virus scanning helps detect nasty viruses!

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the info. I was gathering docs to take to my drs appt tomorrow and found the report from the thyroid scan and lab work I had done in August 2003. It says TSH was -1.3, T4 was 9.7, T3 update - 31, TPO less than 10. Not sure what any of that means. Probable multinodular goiter due to enzyme defect since tft's nl and tpo ab neg. Again - no idea what that's saying. Then it says "thyroid scan reveals patchy uptake of radionuclide. Then my lab work done by my gyn back in July 2005 showed my total cholesterol at 256 (range 100-199), with trig at 79, HDL at 100 (range 40-59) and LDL 140 (range 0-99). The only thyroid level checked then was TSH which was 1.292 with a range of 0.350 - 5.500. I'm sure they will do all new labs tomorrow. As for the goiter....back in '03 I didn't have any of the throat issues I'm having today (raspy voice, tight feeling like there's

a lump in my throat that won't go away). So I don't know if the "probable goiter" back then has grown or what. I just want to find out what's going on and get it controlled somehow. Cauley wrote: Pam, I read the other post explaining the procedures done to diagnose goiter, etc. That is basically what I had done. My tumors (not sure if called goiter or not) were very painful, pressing in on my esophagus and vocal cords. I had pain while talking, eating, couldn't raise voice, etc. I had mine removed last December. I do have the horrible scar on my neck and am wearing high neck shirts

and scarfs to cover it. But, those suckers are out of my neck and I am glad. The scar will fade eventually, I went through this when I busted my chin open a few years ago and you can't even see that scar. But, I wish I had talked to these guys before the surgery. I may have tried to make the tumors go away by taking thyroid hormoes, if I had known I could. But, the surgeon felt it best to remove them based on the amount of pain I was in and I don't regret it. Could this be a goiter? I having been reading to prepare for my drs appt next week, and I'm amazed that all of my weird symptoms are possibly tracing back to my thyroid. Now I'm reading about one that I've tried to ignore, and now I'm actually worried. For a month or longer I've had what feels like a lump in my throat. The only way I can describe it is it feels like something has choked me up and I'm about to cry...you know that feeling? But the lump doesn't go away. If this is a goiter, who is

it diagnosed? Is there a self-exam? What are the probable treatments? My mother had a goiter removed when she was in her 50s which left a horrible scar on her neck. So obviously now I'm a little more than nervous.

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