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What determines the need for thyroid surgery? I have a ...
Sent to Health Experts March 16 11:43 PM

What determines the need for thyroid surgery? I have a nodule @1.7 com and my TSH is low. Why not have radiation?

 

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Female, Age: 33, Texas

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
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March 16 11:49 PM (5 minutes and 38 seconds later)
         
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Customer (name blocked for privacy),

thyroid nodules are evaluated typically by ultrasound first and then by a thyroid uptake scan. The scan allows us to look and see if the thyroid is overactive or underactive - (hot or cold nodules). Hyperactive nodules can be irradiated as you mentioned and then supplemented with thyroid hormone. Cold nodules, however, demand a biopsy as they are associated with thyroid cancer. There may also be something that the ultrasound or scan revealed that was suspicious. That is the reason for surgery. Before I scare you too much it is statistically in your favor not to be cancer, but demands evaluation.

Dr. Pfeiffer



Edited by Dr. Pfeiffer on March 16 2008 at 11:50 PM

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March 16 11:51 PM (1 minute and 49 seconds later)
         
Reply to Dr. Pfeiffer's Post: I know all that you are saying already. My nodule is hot and not cancerous. Is it typical to suggest surgery for this size nodule?
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
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March 17 12:02 AM (11 minutes and 13 seconds later)
         
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Customer (name blocked for privacy),

sorry. I misunderstood your question. >1 cm is the cut off that you are mentioning. <1cm can be watched for growth with ultrasound. >1cm = surgical biopsy.

http://www.thyroidmanager.org/Chapter18/18-noduletxt.htm

Dr. Pfeiffer



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