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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Nodules in my thyroid

    Related Topic
    Thyroid Cancer
    I recently had an US and was told that I have several nodules in my thyroid and 2 which are quite large 2-3cm size now I haved to have another test where they inject me with radiation idone before we can discuss treatment I am concerned about this and not sure what to expect in regards to treatment and what questions to ask about this condition.
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  • 1

    Thanks

    A/Prof Daniel Novakovic

    Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) Surgeon

    Dr Daniel Novakovic is an Australian Otolaryngologist (ENT Surgeon) with postgraduate international dual subspecialty fellowship training in the fields of Laryngology and Head and Neck … View Profile

    Nodules are a very common finding on routine thyroid ultrasound. Without knowing your symptoms, age, race and sex it is difficult to judge the risk factors and the reasons you are having these investigations

    Normally Radio-nuclide scanning of the thyroid doesn't play a major role in thyroid investigations any more. With 2 large nodules I would anticipate that a fine needle biopsy of the nodules under ultrasound guidance would give you more information about whether these growths are benign or otherwise.

    You should hae a discussion with your doctor about whether the radionuclide scan will make any difference in management and whether the doctor thinks that you should have a biopsy anyway. You should also ask your doctor to asses the risk of the nodules being nasty

    I hope this helps

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  • Anonymous

    thank you for your answer I did get a call from my endrocologist as they found the 2 nodules to be 4cm in size on both sides of my thryoid and not producing enough thryoxine so now waiting to have a needle biopsy to rule out anything nasty I am in my 50s my symptoms are feeling of something in my neck feeling like something gets stuck in my throat when eating and difficulty in swollowing. and getting funny pains in my neck to my ear. I guess I wait for the biopsy to see what the next step is.  

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  • 1

    Thanks

    A/Prof Daniel Novakovic

    Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) Surgeon

    Dr Daniel Novakovic is an Australian Otolaryngologist (ENT Surgeon) with postgraduate international dual subspecialty fellowship training in the fields of Laryngology and Head and Neck … View Profile

    Hi Anonymous,

    It sounds like you are on the right track. Just a word of caution though, the throat symptoms may not be related to your thyroid (often a common misconception). Before you make any decisions regarding treatment may I suggest that you see an ENT surgeon who can take a look at your throat / voicebox and advise if there is anything else going on. Best of luck with your ongoing treatment

    Dr Daniel Novakovic
    ENT Surgeon
    Voice ans Swallowing subspecialist

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  • 2

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    anne j

    HealthShare Member

    Hi Dr D Novakovic

    I just got my TNA ultrasound results back apparently one of the nodules has come back inconclusive and the other one is ok.  My endocologist recommends I see a surgeon and have my thyroid removed im booked in to see the surgeon next month on 12th.  You mentioned that I should see a ENT surgeon could you advise why and if it is necessary now I have this prognosis.

     Thank you

    Anne

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  • 1

    Thanks

    A/Prof Daniel Novakovic

    Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) Surgeon

    Dr Daniel Novakovic is an Australian Otolaryngologist (ENT Surgeon) with postgraduate international dual subspecialty fellowship training in the fields of Laryngology and Head and Neck … View Profile

    An inconclusive needle biopsy generally indicates that removal of the part of the gland containing the nodule is warranted.

    Once again, this may not be responsible for your throat symptoms but just an incidental finding.

    There are 2 reasons for seeing an ENT surgeon at this point

    1) To check the function of your vocal cords prior to thyroid surgery (there is a chance that the nerve to the vocal cord can be damaged during surgery). Your thyroid surgeon may be able to do this themselve if they ghave the training.

    2) To check that there is not something else causing the throat irritation you have mentioned



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  • 3

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    anne j

    HealthShare Member

    thank you for your response I think the specilaist I am seeing in Sydney at st Vincents hospital is an EN&T specailist that deals with removing thyroids etc., my endocologist made the appointment for me and said it was best that I have the whole thyroid remove as I have few nodules on both side of my thyroid that are quite large,  so I am waiting for the paper work so I will know more then and also now know what some other question I need to ask. I have to see my gp next week also so I will also be talking to him about it as well .  Thank you once again. 

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