Thyroid Nodules

@kfxston When I read your post, I tried to,remember how long I have had thyroid nodules. At least 25 - 30 years? When first identified, I was really worried because the first reaction was "cancer?" They were largemenough to touch and see on my neck. The first endocrinologist put me through h$&& trying to get a good specimen to biopsy - 3 guided needle aspirations and a "core" biopsy - painful, bruising, bloody and scarring. To say nothing of being frightened for the 2 months I was going through this while raising teens, caring for aging parents and having a demanding career. In the end it was nothing, and they have been watching them via ultrasound ever since. They get a little bigger, a little smaller, but as of May this year "slight growth, no real change" from 2020. In the meantime I have had and been cured of Graves Disease and I'm still here.
My latest endocrinologist gave me great perspective when she explained that in her career, over 90% of thyroid nodules are benign.
Should you be nervous? Why not, it's normal to worry about the unknown. But should you be panicky? Or planning for your demise? Probably not. Thyroid issues are very common and very treatable. My friend had hers irradiated almost 40 years ago, and she's still going strong!
Sue

I had a thyroid nodule about 35 years ago. They did a nuclear scan, ultrasound and determined it was harmless. It eventually went away on its own. Hope yours will do the same!

Thyroid nodules are common! For about 20% of population. I think. One of mine blew up with blood and had to be aspirated. I have them scanned every couple of years and while some grow a little there is nothing alarming. Even if there's a biopsy you still may be just fine. Thyroid stuff is some of the most treatable so make sure you've got a good doctor and then go from there. Glad you're tending to it. Good luck and try not to worry too much. 💜

My thyroid biopsy was easy and pain free and benign. I was a bit anxious but it was not at all bad. Slight soreness after for a couple of hours and very slight bruise. I hope yours goes as well as mine did. Best wishes.

We’re you given any numbing cream prior to the biopsy to make it”pain free”?

lilyann, hi everyone, so glad that all of you were so blessed. my case started back in sept. when the dr. wanted me to go for a ultrasound in october, then november was the biopsy on the rt. side of my neck near a 3.7 nodule. which was done so quickly with 4 needles, bam, bam bam bam. i thought the lady done very good on sticking those needles in there, well, when the anesthestic wore off, it felt like someone was strangulating me. then the report of suspicious papillary cancer. one other thing i noticed, i was hoarse by the time i went to the endocrinologist. then the endocrinologist want me to see the ENT dr. as soon as possible, which was dec. 2022, she said my rt. vocal chord was paralyzed. then onto the surgeon jan. 3, 2023, he said he believed the cancer has already reached my vocal chords. so he refered me to another surgeon in emory university in atlanta, who had done 2 separate surgeries. the rt. side being the worst. 11 out of 19 had cancer and he could not save my rt. vocal chord. i can't talk and swallowing is hard to do and my ENT is sending me for a barium swallow aug.2, 2023. my cancer is called aggressive papillary carcinoma. so wish me luck and may the good lord have mercy on all of us. lilyann

I was numbed with spray and a tiny bit of injected lidocaine (due to the position of one nodule)
It was sore later, I used a little topical pain cream on it for a day.
Sue

Yes they did a tiny injection of lidocaine so all I felt was pressure no pain. Much better than I anticipated.

My biopsy was so insignificant, I dont remember it being at all painful. My benign nodules are controlled by taking Synthroid. Periodic ultrasounds show they barely exist.