My husband had a thyroid nodule (and 2/3 of his thyroid) removed about 25 years ago. His nodule was acting very strangely at the time, and the drs had us totally prepared for a diagnosis of cancer (even though his biopsy was okay). Luckily, they were wrong. But it was still at the point where something needed to be done. He's been on synthroid ever since, to keep the remaining portion of his thyroid inactive. I just asked him about weight gain and he emphatically answered 'NO!'--and added that the right dosage is the key there. He does go for bloodwork to check his levels regularly (not frequently--maybe 1-2 times a year?).

Did you have radiation to your thyroid when you were younger? It's been cited as the cause of a lot of thyroid problems in later life. DH had the radiation treatments as a kid. He, of course, is fine. Unfortunately, his cousin also had radiation to her thyroid as a small child, and she just died this past November after battling thyroid cancer for 9 years.

Anyway, back to DH--he's had no ill effects and no further trouble with his thyroid after having the nodule removed. So I'd just keep up with what your dr. recommends. Good luck.

I am currently trying to find out what is wrong with my Throat. My symptoms are similiar to yours. But, my Thyroid count is good. I have had a radiation treatment when I was 28.

More tests next week.

Gayle

Gayle, make them check your thyroid antibodies! For over 10 years I went to doctor after doctor (specialists too!)and even though I had a long list of thyroid symptoms NONE of the doctors checked my antibodies. Last spring I went to a doctor who did and FINALLY I have a diagnosis of Hashimotos Hypothyroidism! All of my other thyroid tests were normal.

I "googled" Hashimotos Hypothyroidism and I do have those symptoms. Thank you for the information, I will ask my Doctor to do the Tests. But, there doesn't seem to be a cure. Are what have you been told?

Gayle

I have had a nodule (maybe two) for 15 years. It has grown a bit more lately and is now slightly displacing my windpipe. I have to now have it out and have an appt with a surgeon in Philadelphia in March. Oh joy! DH, who is a doctor, says it's not a big deal to have it out, but I am nervous.

Donna

My thyroid levels are fine. It seems such a shame to put my prefectly functioning thyroid "to sleep" because of the nodules, but that's what's needed to keep more nodules from growing or the biggest one to stop growing. I don't relish the idea of surgery for sure, but if it has to be done, it has to be done. Guess I'll know in April when I have to go back to see if it's shrunk or not. He said that the synthroid works 60% of the time.

Hi gayle,
My DD was diagnosed with Hashimotos when she was 10 years old. Doctors started her on Synthroid back in 1982 and all has been well since. She is now a mommy of 2 and a doctor! It hasn't slowed her down at all.
Kathy G in MI

Gayle, I'm on Synthroid and Cytomel now...most likely I'll be taking these the rest of my life. There isn't a cure, but you'd be surprised how many of your symptoms will go away on these medications!

I had my thyroid removed about a year ago due to multiple nodules. There was no malignancy, I'm grateful to say, and the surgery was the easiest thing I could imagine. I was in hospital just overnight....little or no pain and a clean very thin scar. The meds are a little tricky sometimes, at one time, I lost almost 30 pounds (yippee)but also my nails got really funky and my hair thinned. When the doctor adjusted the dosage, I found the 30 pounds and my nails and hair improved. He keeps a close check on my numbers and adjusts the meds accordingly. Don't fear the surgery, it's a piece of cake.

Here is a informational site. thyroid.about.com. For posting questions go to the news group alt.support.thyroid. DH found lots of information on these sites when he had thyroid problems.
Clare

My thyroid is enlarged, and they say it's multinodular goiter. I was supposed to go to the endocrinologist, but never did. I take iodine and selenium now and it seems to have helped.

I was diagnosed with a hyperactive thyroid in August. I took radioactive iodine as my treatment. After the treatment my thyroid funtion went from very high to non detectable. I am now on synthroid. I went from hot and tired to cold and tired. I went from thin to a weight gain of 15%. My thyroid is still not regulated.
junkyardgirl, you are playing with fire. You can have a heart attack from hyperthyroidism. It affects your heart as well as other major organs. You cannot leave it untreated.

Donna

I'm sorry I thought it read Thyroid Noodles. Bad

I had a nodule too (benign) that my doctor felt when I went for my checkup 3 years ago. They put me on Synthroid for 1 1/2 years. When I went for another checkup, the nodule was gone. My thyroid levels were normal all along, but the doctor put me on the lowest synthroid for 'cosmetic purposes' so that the nodule wouldn't get bigger. The nodule is still gone today, so I don't need the synthroid any longer. 2 different doctors have checked it and they can't feel anything now. So, there is a chance that yours could eventually go away too.

Good luck! :)