Looking for Info on what a thyroid biopsy is like

Hi Linda,
I had a 2.2 cm nodule on my right thyroid lobe. I waited 4 months to meet with a new endocrinologist and when I went to see him, he told me he was doing the FNA (fine needle aspiration) that very day. I was not expecting him to do it in my initial appointment, but I was kinda glad I didn't have one second to fret about it. I was fully awake and it was not painful. Using an ultrasound to guide him, he inserted 5 separate tiny needles into the right side of my thyroid. I felt pressure, but no real pain. His assistant was tapping my elbow to distract me, which helped. The whole thing took about 15 minutes. Just to tell you the end of my story, my nodule was found to be Category V (suspicious for Papillary Carcinoma). I had my right nodule removed and then learned that my nodule was benign. Feel free to ask me (or anyone else) more questions.
Nan

Hi Linda, I had biopsies 2x. They numb the area and use about 4-6 needles to withdraw fluid. It is uncomfortable but doesn't last that long. 95% of nodules are non-cancerous. Most likely, like me, it will have to come out. It is in short procedure and involves a small incision in your throat. Takes about 2 weeks to feel back to normal, but al-in-all, it was the easiest surgery I've had so far. Incision is almost gone after almost a year. After you will need to use scar cream and massage it for 3 months. So many more women are having this. You will do fine. Blessings!

Hi Linda,
Biopsies are not really painful…you feel a little pressure. They use a “Fine Needle,” which is smaller than what we see with injections so it does not really hurt.

I have had several FNA’s; my first ones had a numbing agent applied, however ones at MSK did not use numbing agents and they actually were not even noticeable. I did have one FNA that hurt a little, but was still just “discomfort”…not terrible pain.
As for growing nodules….in my opinion, you might want to ask your doctor about Radio frequency Ablation (RFA) as an option to shrink the nodule. RFA has been used to shrink nodules so you don’t have to have surgery! You would have to go to someone who specializes in it, however in my opinion, shrinking a nodule rather than removing part/all of your thyroid (where you may end up needing to take Synthroid) is always a good option!
While monitoring my thyroid nodule for many years, the RFA procedure came around. The surgeon who does RFA will assess you (again) to determine if you are a candidate. Recent articles seem to suggest that they are able to use RFA even if a person has the potential for certain thyroid cancers…..the doctor’s who do RFA will assess you.
There is also a test which can be done with your FNA, where they send the material out for analysis (Affirma Testing). This testing is supposed to have a very high high rate of accuracy for predicting thyroid cancer.
Good luck!

Thanks everyone for the input but I am still nervous. The bone marrow biopsy came as a surprise, I had no idea it was needed until the appointment, that was not near as bad as I thought so I guess I will get through this.

Hi Linda,

I had a similar experience as @hopeful23 for the biopsy. Fully awake, numbing agent applied, ultrasound-guided biopsy, no pain, just felt some mild pressure. I had a lobectomy for a 2cm cancerous nodule later (Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma) and am feeling fine almost 6 weeks later.

As @koh has suggested above, definitely consider RFA (radio frequency ablation) and ask your doctors about it. You can avoid surgery if you are a good candidate for RFA. Please feel free to ask me any questions. I had done a lot of research on RFA and had talked to multiple doctors in and outside the US about it.

Good luck!

I will defiantly check out the RFA if I need surgery I still have not been notified as to when I will have the biopsy. When I read the report I have several nodules but each one says low risk except one that says low to moderate. thank you for your reply.

Hi @linepa2002, did you have the thyroid biopsy? How are you doing?

You also mention a bone marrow biopsy. This is different from a thyroid biopsy. Did you also need a bone marrow biopsy?

Hi, no I did not have the biopsy yet, I am thinking I get a c scan in Oct so maybe they will wait for those results, the last one said no suspicions seen.

I had the Bone marrow due to L G L leukemia. My Oncologist informed me I have defiled all the odds, I am in remission, my blood work is good. Not cured and still need regular labs and visits but certainly good news.

Ah, I see. I just found your other post with your great news from the hematologist with respect the beating the odds with leukemia. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/good-news-at-my-hemooncologist/

I think a thyroid biopsy will seem easier than a bone marrow biopsy. 🙂