[glenntaj]

I also posted this on the thyroid thread, but figured I'd put it in a new thread as well so as to be easier to spot.

Interesting that I came here this morning and found a lot of action in this thyroid thread, as I have a rapidly evolving thyroid situation (and I'd love for the thyroid mavens to weigh in on it).

In the process of getting an annual physical from a new primary physician, I had ultrasound done to look at carotid arteries. They seem to be OK, but there was something suspicious with the thyroid. Dedicated ultrasound of that was down, and here is the basic report:

"The right lobe measures 5.8 x 1.5 x 1.6 cm and demonstrates a solid 5 mm nodule at the midpole. The left lobe measures 5.4 x 1.4 x 1.8 cm and demonstrates a 2.0 x 1.1 x 1.4 cm solid nodule at the lower pole. The isthmus is normal in appearance. Nodule in left lower pole should be considered for ultrasound guided FNA biopsy."

Well, I'm gonna make that appointment for FNA REAL fast.

My mother does have some spotty history of autoimmune thyroid and, especially, parathyroid disease--but, of course, I've been through this with my wife, who had antibody demonstrable Hashimoto's and then developed a papillary carcinoma in 2008 that resulted in total thyroidectomy. She is doing well--thyroglobulin and antibodies undectable, TSH down nice and low for suppressive purposes--but her ultrasound reports were always much more detailed, indicating hypo vs. hyperechoic properties, and noitng vascularity in the nodule that turned out to have the carcinoma--that factor was the reason we got her biopsied.

I'm really annoyed by the lack of specificity in the report. No mention of whether there were calcifications, lymph node enlargement, echoes . . .

I know I need an endo consult--only lab work that's relevant from the physical is a TSH of 2.58 (not especially high, and about where it's always been). Haven't had T3/T4 levels done in years (they were normal then).

My sense of the report is that is shows some degree of overall thyroid expansion, suggestive of a nodular goiter (as you may suspect, I've done a TON of research on this). But I am a 51-year old male, and the specter of thyroid cancer is worrisome--especially that "taller than wide" aspect of the left side nodule. Moreover, I am asymptomatic--my thyroid is not obviously visible below my larynx (which itself has always been fairly prominent)--not having trouble swallowing, speaking (which I do for a living). I'm not feeling fatigue, temperature sensitivity, etc. I did gain several pounds over the cold winter months, but I've already gotten rid of most of those (i tend to walk a lot more in the good weather). I do have my usual seasonal post-nasal back drip down to the top level of the larynx, and I occassionally have to bring up thick clear translucent mucus. I feel the drip more right than left--I can actually feel it around the right tonsil (yes, I still have those) quite often (this is a long-standing situation).

Any input is appreciated.