U3 nodules

Heya, 

I'm afraid the wait time to see a specialist is almost always a long one. However it varies from hospital to hospital, consultant to consultant.

Your referral isn't an urgent one, as if it was then you'd have to be seen within two weeks. It looks to be the next step down where you need to be seen within 2 - 3 months.

Once you've seen the ENT, who will probably look at your scan, have a feel of your neck, and maybe look in your throat with a camera, then they'll probably ask for an FNA to be done. Now, there are more machines and people to do these than there are consultants, so your wait shouldn't be too long. However it does depend on how urgent the consultant thinks it needs done as well. So make sure to tell them all symptoms and issues you're having so they get the full picture. 

However, the one thing we've all learnt here - when it comes to thyroid, nothing moves quickly!

Good luck! 

Lass

Xx

Hi Lass,

Thanks for all the info. :) I wasn't sure how it worked with the timescales, reception at my doctors said it was either a 2 week path or at the back of the queue...really helpful lol. I'd already had problems with my ultrasound referral going missing so I've not been sure how much to chase things. 

I've had a chest xray as well that the radiologist showed me and it's pretty big in the chest, I'll make sure I give the consultant a full picture of symptoms and make some notes! 

Yeah it sounds like that with thyroid! Very slow process. 

Thanks 

Caz x x

Heya, 

Yes, some goitres do like to head south. It doesn't necessarily mean they are anything to worry about, and sometimes they are just left to their own devices. It all depends on if they are causing problems with swallowing or breathing etc.

You said there were compression issues of some sort? Means they might actually skip the FNA if there are problems because of the size of it, and go straight to surgery to get it out.

I don't think there's anything to chase at the moment though, as you have your ENT appointment through. So I'm afraid it's a sit and wait until you see him/her and see what they say and how they want to proceed.

But do let us know how it goes, and if you have any questions about FNA's or surgery, then do shout up. Most of us here have had both, so we can try and answer whatever you want to know.

Lass

Xx

Yeah I've had a cough since Christmas and some swallowing problems so gp said it was best to refer as urgent. 

I've not had a letter yet, they just said they've given me a slot when I rang but it might change once it is graded. Will just wait and see! 

Thank you that would be great, once I have a better idea I'll post an update 

Caz x x 

Just a little update  I've now seen a consultant, and since then had a fna and barium swallow test. Just waiting on results of those. The consultant checked my throat with a camera through nose and said goitre wasnt pressing on trachea. She said, like you said lass that you can leave retrosternal goitres if they arent causing problems. Didnt really seem concerned by it at all.

The fna was fine, although he did struggle to get a good sample because he said the nodule is pretty steep, and he told me its vascular. 

Barium swallow was fine too, the radiologist said that the goitre is pushing on my esophagus when I swallow so I'm not sure now if the consultant will advise removal. 

Wait and see!! 

Caz x x

Hey Caz, 

Seems like at least some good news there then. 

I'd guess that they'll suggest removing it as it's causing you issues swallowing, or give you the option to leave or remove it. So start having a think now about what you'd prefer so you're ready for the question if it comes. It just means you can give them an answer then and there rather than having to go back again to discuss your decision and set things in motion for whichever choice you make.

Good luck with it all, always here if you need us. 

Lass

Xx

Lass

Xx

Hey Lass! 

Yeah definitely, luckily didnt need to wait long for each of the tests

Thanks, I will do, I still feel as though the consultant will say to leave, unless of course the biopsy shows something sinister but yes I'm leaning more towards removing it but it might be that they just monitor it for growth 

Thanks for all your advice, I'll pop an update when I get my results 

Caz x x 

Hello again! 

Well I got my fna and barium swallow test results over the phone, and I got a Thy1 so I'm having the fna again...joy lol 

The ENT secretary also told me the results of the barium swallow test, my esophagus has deviated to the right where the goiter is....not sure what will happen with that at the min as I won't be seeing consultant until I have the fna again and results are in

Hopefully they'll get enough of a sample this time and I won't need to have it done again...I'm just hoping I don't have to have fna done then find out they think it should be removed anyway because of the swallow test results

Caz x x 

Hello, 

I had a large thyroid lump which was pressing on my windpipe. I remember that the surgeon told me it really didn't matter if the lump was cancer or not because if it kept on growing I wouldn't be able to breathe so it had to come out. He also told me he wasn't going to see me go through life with a lump the size of a tangerine sticking out of my neck.

So quite possibly it won't matter too much about the FNA if the size is causing problems. I hope they get you sorted soon - this is such a drag when you're thinking all along that sooner or later it's going to have to come out so why not just get on and do ti?

Hi Barbara, 

That's good to hear that your surgeon wanted to get on with it! Stupid to let it drag on isnt it. 

Yes it's all abit confusing with my consultant, she told me they can grow behind breast bone and be left alone as long as they arent causing problems, checked my throat with a camera and said it wasnt causing any problems but then sent me for swallow test as I can feel it when I swallow. I'm just wondering if she is still going to say to leave it which I dont really feel comfortable with if it is going to continue to grow, regardless of if there is any cancer. I mean if it has moved my esophagus surely I should just have it out!

I'll be frustrated if I have to have another fna and then she says it needs to be removed anyway! 

Caz