Thyroid Problems

[Stephanie]

Has anyone ever had or know of someone that has thyroid problems or had thyroid cancer?

My brother, Jeff, was at the doctor complaining of headaches. The doctor noticed that his thyroid was enlarged. The doctor wants to have the whole thyroid removed, which they usually do for cancer, from what I can see through WebMD. I don't believe that he's even doing a biopsy, though my brother had more blood work done.

Does anyone have any information that they could share with me?

[BreinLa]

Don't know much about it Steph but I do know some people have to have the tyhroid removed when they have a hyperactive tyroid if medication doesn't help. My niece just went through some pretty heafty treatment for it so they would not remove it

[Stephanie]

Thanks Bre! I appreciate it.

[DaylilyDawn]

Stephanie,
I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in late 1999. I had a lump in my throat area that would cut off my breath when I leaned over to pick up something or to tie my shoes. a needle biopsy showed nothing out of the normal but the Dr wanted to do a surgical biopsy. It showed that there was cancer in one lobe of the thyroid gland. While still on the operating table, the decision to remove the entire thyroid gland to make sure all the cancer was removed. It was found just in time before it had exited the thyroid gland as it it grew. My tumor was the size of a tennis ball.
After the surgery , I had to have one treatment of radioactive iodine to see if there was any stray cancer cells and a whole body scan showed that there was some residual thyroid tissue . So I had to take a larger dose of radioactive iodine that required an overnight stay in the hospital in an isolated room. It has been 6 years for me and I take my medicine every day and have a visit to the endocrineologist twice a year.

[Stephanie]

(((HUGS)))

Thank you Daylily!

My brother has two nodules, one 6 cm on one lobe and one 3 cm on another. The doctor has said that he would normally do a biopsy on anything 1.5 cm or larger. However, as you found out, they may take a biopsy from several different areas of the nodule but still not "hit" the right part. They are going to take the whole thing out and he's going to just take medication to replace the missing thyroid for the rest of his life. They say it's pretty rare for a man to get this but the survival chances are very good if it is cancerous since they grow so slow. Ironically, he hasn't had problems with swallowing or breathing. He just went to the doctor to complain about headaches and as he moved his head around, the doctor noticed the thyroid protruding.

My brother might have cancer. It makes me so sick, but I guess if it was going to be any kind, then perhaps this was one of the "better ones" to get...

[DaylilyDawn]

Stephanie,
If it is cancer, I will be praying that they have caught it in time. I was informed by the doctor that it could be very aggressive after it makes it out of the gland. Mine was sending out feelers prior to being removed. It had not yet penetrated the outer wall of the gland but another few weeks and it would have gotten into the blood system. The survior rate for thyroid cancer is very good, almost 95% .

[Stephanie]

Thank you again Daylily. I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed!

[Miss Mary]

Stephanie - I'll be praying for your brother and you as well. I know how scary that possible C word can be. Let's pray if he does have it, it was caught early as in DayLilly's case.

Hugs and prayers a coming.

Mary

[CajunMama]

I'll be saying prayers for your brother also.

[Lindaloo]

Prayers going out to your brother Steph. (((HUGS)))

[vbhoutex]

Prayers for a good diagnosis and outcome arriving from Houston!!!

[Rainband]

Prayers on the way to your Bro Stephanie (((HUGS))) Let me know if there is anything I can do.

[Stephanie]

Thanks everyone!