General Medicine

» Elaine Moore - Mixed up Help!!!!!

In response to Mixed up Help!!!!! posted by cowlover614:
Hi,
Most nodules are benign, and when there are multiple nodules, they're almost always benign.
If the nodules are producing excess thyroid hormone, then ATDs can be used to lower thyroid hormone levels. This, and also a low iodine diet, can shrink the nodules in size as well. The College of American Pathologists recommends a low iodine diet as a first approach for shrinking nodules and reducing thyroid hormone levels.

If one or more nodules are unusually large or growing unusually fast, your doctor would want to biopsy these nodules to see what kind of tissue they're made from.

If you were to have RAI to destroy your thyroid, you'd still have a risk of developing nodules in the remaining tissue. Those of us who have had RAI are supposed to have annual checks to make sure there are no new growths. And if you have RAI, you can't have tissue studies done on any suspicious tissue.

I'm all for the least aggressive approach in trying to fix the problem, like ATDs and/or diet. However, radioiodine is the least expensive approach over time so it'll probably be recommended. Be sure to ask for all your treatment options as well as the pros and cons of each treatment. Best, Elaine