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What Does My Ultrasound Scan Test Reports Indicate?
Question: Hello Doctor
I had an ultrasound of my thyroid to check for calcium deficiency and the report which i seen is causing a lot of stress in my life. I am surprised to see that i have a nodule at this age. Although its not giving me any trouble and my TFT is also normal but still there is a reason to worry because this nodule may increase in size, if this happens then my entire thyroid gland will be removed. I am very afraid of this thought. I have few questions for you
1)First of all i want to know how did i develop a nodule because i wasn't exposed to any radiation (just a ct scan of my brain was done 6 months back ) and i dont know if i am iodine deficient. I dont think deficiency of iodine can lead to growth of nodules.
2)Secondly, On seeing the ultrasound report can we confirm that the nodules are benign and not malignant. Should i go for a biopsy?
3)Do nodules grow each time. If yes then in how much time do they grow?
5)Thirdly is there any method by which we can shrink the nodules on the left and the right thyroid lobe
4)Should we incorporate any diet into our meals so that there nodules can dissolve.
I have upload all the thyroid reports. I request you to please help me as i am very tensed with this Thyroid report. Its giving me nightmares.
I had an ultrasound of my thyroid to check for calcium deficiency and the report which i seen is causing a lot of stress in my life. I am surprised to see that i have a nodule at this age. Although its not giving me any trouble and my TFT is also normal but still there is a reason to worry because this nodule may increase in size, if this happens then my entire thyroid gland will be removed. I am very afraid of this thought. I have few questions for you
1)First of all i want to know how did i develop a nodule because i wasn't exposed to any radiation (just a ct scan of my brain was done 6 months back ) and i dont know if i am iodine deficient. I dont think deficiency of iodine can lead to growth of nodules.
2)Secondly, On seeing the ultrasound report can we confirm that the nodules are benign and not malignant. Should i go for a biopsy?
3)Do nodules grow each time. If yes then in how much time do they grow?
5)Thirdly is there any method by which we can shrink the nodules on the left and the right thyroid lobe
4)Should we incorporate any diet into our meals so that there nodules can dissolve.
I have upload all the thyroid reports. I request you to please help me as i am very tensed with this Thyroid report. Its giving me nightmares.
Brief Answer:
See detailed answers
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM. I have gone through your questions and understand your concerns.
Before answering your questions, your reports are not alarming. This is quiet common at your age with newer scan machines which can pick up even small nodules
1. The exact cause for orgin of thyroid nodules nobody knows- it could be genetic, environmental, radiation, chemicals,iodine etc. There are no tests to find out the cause.
2. Though we cannot CONFIRM the nodules are benign or cancer from the ultrasound there are some clues in scans which will tell you the nodules are PROBABLY benign. We usually do biopsy when the nodules are more than 10 mm or suspicious smaller nodules. So no need for biopsy with your report
3. We cannot predict the rate of growth of nodules. The best thing to do is do a follow up scan after 1 year to see the size. Based on the increase in size we can say whether it is slow or fast growing.
4. There are no approved methods to shrink the nodules in which thyroid is functioning normally. Radio iodine treatment, laser or alcohol ablation are tried. Not indicated on your case as the size of nodules are very small
5. It is better to have normal iodine intake. Avoiding excess uncooked cabbage, cauliflower, tapioca,etc may be beneficial if you are iodine deficient.
Again no need to worry with this reports.
Hope I have answered your questions. If you have any further questions, I will be pleased to help you.
Regards
Dr Ajish TP
See detailed answers
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM. I have gone through your questions and understand your concerns.
Before answering your questions, your reports are not alarming. This is quiet common at your age with newer scan machines which can pick up even small nodules
1. The exact cause for orgin of thyroid nodules nobody knows- it could be genetic, environmental, radiation, chemicals,iodine etc. There are no tests to find out the cause.
2. Though we cannot CONFIRM the nodules are benign or cancer from the ultrasound there are some clues in scans which will tell you the nodules are PROBABLY benign. We usually do biopsy when the nodules are more than 10 mm or suspicious smaller nodules. So no need for biopsy with your report
3. We cannot predict the rate of growth of nodules. The best thing to do is do a follow up scan after 1 year to see the size. Based on the increase in size we can say whether it is slow or fast growing.
4. There are no approved methods to shrink the nodules in which thyroid is functioning normally. Radio iodine treatment, laser or alcohol ablation are tried. Not indicated on your case as the size of nodules are very small
5. It is better to have normal iodine intake. Avoiding excess uncooked cabbage, cauliflower, tapioca,etc may be beneficial if you are iodine deficient.
Again no need to worry with this reports.
Hope I have answered your questions. If you have any further questions, I will be pleased to help you.
Regards
Dr Ajish TP
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello Doctor
Thanks for your reply. I would like to know
(1)(1)Am i iodine deficient which resulted in this Nodule? Is it NECESSARY for me to take iodine as a supplement. Wont it suffice if i get daily requirements from my diet?
(3)For a whole body checkup I had a ct scan of my brain in august 2015. Do ct scan of brains lead to growth on nodules in the thyroid?
(4)I have also heard that many a times nodules shrink on there own. Is this true. As your a thyroid specalist have you dealt with such cases?
(5)Do benign nodules always grow or they remain the same? If it grows after 10 years and start causing problems then what would i need to do in that situation?
Regards
Punit
Thanks for your reply. I would like to know
(1)(1)Am i iodine deficient which resulted in this Nodule? Is it NECESSARY for me to take iodine as a supplement. Wont it suffice if i get daily requirements from my diet?
(3)For a whole body checkup I had a ct scan of my brain in august 2015. Do ct scan of brains lead to growth on nodules in the thyroid?
(4)I have also heard that many a times nodules shrink on there own. Is this true. As your a thyroid specalist have you dealt with such cases?
(5)Do benign nodules always grow or they remain the same? If it grows after 10 years and start causing problems then what would i need to do in that situation?
Regards
Punit
Brief Answer:
See details
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
1. Iodine deficiency can cause thyroid nodule. Since we are using iodized salt (all commercial salt in XXXXXXX are iodized) in XXXXXXX iodine deficiency is very rare. 1 1/2 tea spoon (8 grams) of iodized salt a day will supply the full iodine requirement of a day. Iodine is also available in sea foods and milk. Unless you are a vegetarian and on a salt restricted diet, you will be iodine sufficient. Urine iodine estimation can be done to assess iodine deficiency (not a routinely done test)
2. As iodized salt is freely available separate iodine supplements is not needed.
3. Radiation is one of the proven causes for thyroid nodule. But again there are no tests which will say that your thyroid nodule is related to the CT scan radiation exposure.
4. Thyroid nodules (even those more than 1 cm) may shrink by its own. It is commonly seen in practice.
5. Benign nodule may stay without growing for long time and then turn into cancer after 10 or 20 years. The life time risk of cancer in nodule is less than 10%. Even if it turn to be cancer, don't worry, thyroid cancer is the mildest cancer you can get. The chance of serious complications or death due to thyroid cancer is extremely low.
So at your stage there is no need of any concern. No further investigations needed now. We can repeat the tests after an year. Stop browsing the internet on thyroid cancer. Just relax and enjoy your life.
Good health
Regards
Dr Ajish TP
See details
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
1. Iodine deficiency can cause thyroid nodule. Since we are using iodized salt (all commercial salt in XXXXXXX are iodized) in XXXXXXX iodine deficiency is very rare. 1 1/2 tea spoon (8 grams) of iodized salt a day will supply the full iodine requirement of a day. Iodine is also available in sea foods and milk. Unless you are a vegetarian and on a salt restricted diet, you will be iodine sufficient. Urine iodine estimation can be done to assess iodine deficiency (not a routinely done test)
2. As iodized salt is freely available separate iodine supplements is not needed.
3. Radiation is one of the proven causes for thyroid nodule. But again there are no tests which will say that your thyroid nodule is related to the CT scan radiation exposure.
4. Thyroid nodules (even those more than 1 cm) may shrink by its own. It is commonly seen in practice.
5. Benign nodule may stay without growing for long time and then turn into cancer after 10 or 20 years. The life time risk of cancer in nodule is less than 10%. Even if it turn to be cancer, don't worry, thyroid cancer is the mildest cancer you can get. The chance of serious complications or death due to thyroid cancer is extremely low.
So at your stage there is no need of any concern. No further investigations needed now. We can repeat the tests after an year. Stop browsing the internet on thyroid cancer. Just relax and enjoy your life.
Good health
Regards
Dr Ajish TP
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello Doctor
Thank you for clearing all my doubts. You made my day. I am honored to receive your assistance. Apart from thyroid, One more thing i wanted to know is since 2 days something is terribly wrong with me. I need to exert more force to perform any physical activity even walking. My body also mildly shakes while performing any physical work. My hands and legs muscles get tired very very easily..Is this because of asthenia? ....I have been evaluated on all tests (lipid profile, lft, kft, sugar, ecg, echo, hotler monitor, b12, folic acid, vitamin d3). All the tests were reported to be normal. Just my vitamin d3 was low and i have started taking capsules for it. Can you suggest some treatment to relieve this weakness. I am having a hard time dealing with my body. I want to recover from this illness. Therefore i request you to provide a remedy.
Regards
Punit
Thank you for clearing all my doubts. You made my day. I am honored to receive your assistance. Apart from thyroid, One more thing i wanted to know is since 2 days something is terribly wrong with me. I need to exert more force to perform any physical activity even walking. My body also mildly shakes while performing any physical work. My hands and legs muscles get tired very very easily..Is this because of asthenia? ....I have been evaluated on all tests (lipid profile, lft, kft, sugar, ecg, echo, hotler monitor, b12, folic acid, vitamin d3). All the tests were reported to be normal. Just my vitamin d3 was low and i have started taking capsules for it. Can you suggest some treatment to relieve this weakness. I am having a hard time dealing with my body. I want to recover from this illness. Therefore i request you to provide a remedy.
Regards
Punit
Brief Answer:
Replace vitamin D and see
Detailed Answer:
Hi welcome back,
If all other reports are normal it could be due to calcium and vitamin D deficiencies.
Start on calcium 500 mg daily and vitamin D 60,000 iu weekly x 2 months. You will be. better once vitamin D levels are normalized. But it will take a few months for full replacement.
Regards
Dr Ajish Tp
Replace vitamin D and see
Detailed Answer:
Hi welcome back,
If all other reports are normal it could be due to calcium and vitamin D deficiencies.
Start on calcium 500 mg daily and vitamin D 60,000 iu weekly x 2 months. You will be. better once vitamin D levels are normalized. But it will take a few months for full replacement.
Regards
Dr Ajish Tp
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello Doctor
Yes i had an ABG test 10 days back..My co2 was low due to which the blood calcium level became low. I suffered RESPIRATORY ALKOLISIS SO my doctor suggested me to breathe into paper bag to restore co2 levels. he also WARNED me not to take any form of calcium supplement because once co2 is balanced the blood calcium will also balance on its own..I was fine for a week while breathing into paper bag but i really dont know what went wrong 2 days ago.. Now i am feeling severe weakness especially on my legs.. what am i supposed to do in this situation?
Yes i had an ABG test 10 days back..My co2 was low due to which the blood calcium level became low. I suffered RESPIRATORY ALKOLISIS SO my doctor suggested me to breathe into paper bag to restore co2 levels. he also WARNED me not to take any form of calcium supplement because once co2 is balanced the blood calcium will also balance on its own..I was fine for a week while breathing into paper bag but i really dont know what went wrong 2 days ago.. Now i am feeling severe weakness especially on my legs.. what am i supposed to do in this situation?
Brief Answer:
Look for other causes
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Respiratory alkalosis leading to low co2 and calcium is seen with anxiety hyperventilation.
Recheck the calcium to see it is normalized. Do additional tests for your muscle weakness like CPK, serum electrolytes etc. This is really a non specific symptom
Regards
Dr Ajish TO
Look for other causes
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Respiratory alkalosis leading to low co2 and calcium is seen with anxiety hyperventilation.
Recheck the calcium to see it is normalized. Do additional tests for your muscle weakness like CPK, serum electrolytes etc. This is really a non specific symptom
Regards
Dr Ajish TO
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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