I have a very large nodule on my thyroid, does it mean I have cancer?

Posted by cindiwass @cindiwass, Nov 4, 2019

A couple of years ago it was found that I have a very large nodule on one side of my thyroid, and another smaller one on the other side. I did not have a FNA although the clinic wanted me to. (A hospital clinic.) I resisted. But now the time has come for me to go further. I am not feeling particularly sick, but with such a large nodule (almost 2 inches), I realize it could be cancer or something else and I am coming to terms with that. I guess they will want to do a FNA, but I know that is not always a correct indicator of cancer. The endocrinologist wants to do a radioscan of my nearby glands before the FNA. I guess she wants to see if I have nodules elsewhere nearby. I have a couple of questions, but let's say they don't find cancer cells if they give me a FNA. Why would a nodule grow so large if it is benign? I am 75.

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@cindiwass

@jenniferhunter - What is a functional medicine doctor? Sounds worthwhile looking into. Hope you're feeling ok.

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My FMPs are nurse practitioners that were tired and exasperated by insurance companies wanting them to give out pills for symptoms and not look for the cause of the symptom. My PCP practices medicine that way, he’s exhausting. The root cause of most of my issues were Lyme disease. They also don’t pay as much attention to “within normal limits” test results, every body is different and each body needs to be learned and treated the best way for that body. FMPs think out of the box and sometimes just throw the box out. Always worth a shot. My insurance doesn’t cover it, but the flexible spending account does help ease the costs.

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@lmm1369

My FMPs are nurse practitioners that were tired and exasperated by insurance companies wanting them to give out pills for symptoms and not look for the cause of the symptom. My PCP practices medicine that way, he’s exhausting. The root cause of most of my issues were Lyme disease. They also don’t pay as much attention to “within normal limits” test results, every body is different and each body needs to be learned and treated the best way for that body. FMPs think out of the box and sometimes just throw the box out. Always worth a shot. My insurance doesn’t cover it, but the flexible spending account does help ease the costs.

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Thanks, I'll keep that in mind.

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Just to say another comment if someone cares to answer, the last test for TSH did not show a horrible reading and my nurse practitioner told me it was within range no cause for alarm. Did not suggest I go for further tests, although I have in the past. The nodule swells and goes down from time to time. Today oddly enough I don't feel it but there are days I do feel the lump there.

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I had a tumor on my thyroid. They are rarely cancer. They did remove the left side of my thyroid. Healed quickly and never been a problem.

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