Doc still wants to stick needles in my neck!

I contacted my endocrinologist back about some of the lab results they'd sent me. My T3 was at the low end of normal and so was my cortisol. I asked that he prescribe me something with T3 in it (either Naturethroid or Cytomel) to bring my T3 level up (to still be within the "norm" range though) and for some adrenal support for my cortisol (again, still keeping the levels within "normal" but to raise it a little).

I got the response I expected...don't want to do that because it might have long-term consequences (why would it if I kept them within "normal" range?) and he wants me to schedule a biopsy (because the one in June wasn't bad enough). I'm so tired of this stuff. Like I want to have people in medical scrubs sticking needles in my neck again? Why do something so invasive AGAIN when there are other things that can be tried first (like Iodine) to shrink the nodules? Why choose to biopsy and remove the thyroid (which the endo is talking about doing) when there are other avenues less invasive that could be tried first? It might not work. I know that, but I want to try!

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Thyroid Biopsy is Done

My thyroid biopsy is done. I am trying to keep my mind off of it but blogging isn't doing the job. This biopsy was worse than the first one I had. My neck and shoulder feels sore. Since they biopsied the right side, and I am right-handed, well...it's a little sore to move. Laughing is sore. Swallowing is sore. My neck is swollen, my head hurts and I feel just "icky". I didn't feel this bad after my other biopsy.

The results will be back in 7-10 days.

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Thyroid Ultrasound Results

I finally connected with the nurse at my doctor's to talk about my thyroid ultrasound results. I've always had multiple nodules on my thyroid that were cystic since developing thyroid disease eight years ago. However, the ultrasound showed that I have several solid nodules now (three to be exact). When I asked her if I should be worried about them being solid, she said, "Well, it's not normal that they're solid."

Alrighty then. I looked it up online and the risk of cancer increases a bit for solid nodules vs. cystic nodules.

She is going to schedule a biopsy at the hospital for me. Something to look forward to eh? It's a little creepy thinking about it.

If you'd like to read up on thyroid nodules, here is some interesting reading.

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Does a solid nodule indicate cancer?

What does "solid nodule" mean for a person with thyroid disease?

For years, I've had multiple nodules on my thyroid but they were more cystic. After an ultrasound last week, I still have the multiple nodules but now there is a solid nodule as well. What does this mean? Is it indicative of cancer?

My doctor didn't bother to call me. I signed onto the patient portal at her office and saw the results of my ultrasound about the solid nodule and that she was referring me for a biopsy of it. Why would a doctor post something like THIS, which she should imagine would be scary for the patient, without explaining it? She posted this on May 6th. She should have called me on May 6th or May 7th or May 8th! This is just another item on my list on why I am not happy with this doctor. I am going to be searching for a new doctor.

I've been doing a lot of research and I want my TSH levels down to 2 at the maximum. From what I've read online, TSH levels between 1-2 is when most people feel better. Since my TSH levels are so high, it explains why we had such a hard time conceiving our last child. High TSH levels seem to affect fertility.

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Weight & Thyroid & Cancer

People have the misconception that people who are overweight can't or won't control their eating. They probably imagine overweight people pigging out with more than the "normal" amount of food (damn do I really hate that word "normal" right now). For some, that may be true. For others, like me, I don't eat a lot. It's medical and that makes it worse for me because I feel helpless in being able to do anything about it. Especially when my own doctor won't use up-to-date recommendations so my thyroid is being treated correctly. I hear that is a problem with a lot of thyroid patients. Why won't doctors, and the labs they use, start using the newest recommendations for TSH? People shouldn't have to go years feeling like hell. If I was pigging out and making myself fat, then it'd be my own darn fault. I just want to find a doctor who I can trust. I wish more naturopaths took insurance because I think I'd have better luck getting a doctor who cared.

I was finally referred to an Endocrinologist last week. Then my ultrasound results came back and those say that I have multiple nodules (which I knew) but now there is a solid nodule as well. That worries me. When they were cystic, I didn't worry that much. I don't know what "solid" means though. My doctor didn't call to explain any of it. I had to log onto their system and see the ultrasound results and that they were referring me to a Radiologist type specialist for biopsy (I thought that was what I was going to the Endocrinologist for). So, I have no idea what is what right now. My doctor should have called to explain the findings to me instead of leaving a scary message like that on the patient portal without explanation.

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What I Have

I have thyroid disease. I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and hypothyroidism with goiter/nodules. I have several nodules on my thyroid that I had biopsied for cancer years ago. Because you can only get a small percentage of cells out of millions during a biopsy, even a biopsy isn't 100% accurate, which still leaves me to wonder. Hashimoto's Thyroiditis is an autoimmune disorder.

Despite blood tests showing me within normal range, I still suffer from brain fog. My memory, which used to be very sharp, is now like swiss cheese. I lose my train of thought often. I forget things very easily. My skin is terrible - very dry and prone to contact dermatitis. My hair, which was never smooth to begin with, is more coarse. At least it's not falling out anymore though (which is a symptom by the way). I used to be a skinny chick - - now I'm overweight and having a difficult time with how I look and feel about myself. My metabolism is next to nothing anymore. Exercising leaves me winded within the first couple of minutes. I am more irritable with less patience (I didn't have that much to begin with so that's bad). Even a "normal range" blood test does not mean all the symptoms go away.

If you are looking for a source of information, check out About. I am currently reading Thyroid Solution: A Mind-Body Program for Beating Depression & Regaining Your Emotional & Physical Health and have found a few good points that I will post about in another post soon.

A really good book that I've read is:

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