Thyroid issues...

Anonymous
So at my 13w appt, my doc felt my neck and says I think your thyroid is enlarged...sends me for bloodwork and an ultrasound.

Today I had my ultrasound and I have an enlarged thyroid on the left side (aka a goiter). I'm not sure what this means, or what they'll do with it.

Anyone else heard of this or had experience with it? From what I read on the Internet, either drugs or surgery are the treatment. Are thyroid drugs safe during pregnancy??

I'm a bit shocked/blown away...

Thanks!!
Anonymous
I haven't had the same problem, but I do have a slow thyroid. I'm on synthroid and was told it was safe when I was pregnant because it doesn't cross the placenta. DD is fine, btw. Ace Lipson is a great thyroid doc it you need one or a second opinion.
Anonymous
Not to worry. I know it sounds scary, but lots of people (mostly women) have thyroid issues and they are exacerbated with pregnancy hormones. Synthroid (which they'll most likely give you) is perfectly safe during pregnancy. Most likely, it's something you'll have to deal with from now on, but truly not a big deal....
sunanda10
Member Offline
I have had an enlarged thyroid and it is a condition called Hashimoto thyroid. I have been on a syntheroid for several years and it just keeps the hormone levels in the body at a normal rate. People who are diagnosed with Hashimoto thyroid, have an enlarged thyroid because the body gives a signal to the thyroid gland that it is not producing enough hormones, and these people are most susceptible to Hypothroid malfunction (is evident with weight gain, low moods, energy levels and metabolism). As such the syntheroid offsets this lack of hormone in the body that helps your metabolism and even mood.

I am in my 19th week, and have been on a syntheroid during my pregnancy. It is a very safe medication and usually will not cause any problems unless of course overdosed on. In fact the hormone is actually necessary for tbe body to function normally. It helps keep your weight in order, metabolism in order and even keeps away those mood swings! Not everyone is that lucky...

Hope this helps!

Good luck.
Anonymous
OP: Your doctor should refer you to an endocronologist to assess your condition. It is fairly common, more so for women, to develop thyroid nodules. The endo will probably do a fine needle biopsy to examine the cells in the nodule. The endo will also examine your thyroid hormone levels (blood work) to help get to a diagnosis. If you have a choice in what endo you go to, try to get someone who has a special interest in thyroid disease; many endos seem to work predominently with diabetes patients.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:OP: Your doctor should refer you to an endocronologist to assess your condition. It is fairly common, more so for women, to develop thyroid nodules. The endo will probably do a fine needle biopsy to examine the cells in the nodule. The endo will also examine your thyroid hormone levels (blood work) to help get to a diagnosis. If you have a choice in what endo you go to, try to get someone who has a special interest in thyroid disease; many endos seem to work predominently with diabetes patients.


I agree. I have thyroid nodules, which were also found on my 13 week u/s by my ob. They're pretty common I guess, though mine are quite large. I was sent for a sonogram and then to a specialist. I do a fine needle aspiration every year to make sure the nodules are not cancerous.

What else? I get the blood work done regularly, but it's always normal. However, my nodules are larger than most, and if they keep growing, I'll have to get a full or partial removal of my thyroid (never can spell the procedure's name). That's my worst case scenario.

Anyhow, good luck. I am sure it's not as bad as you are thinking right now. As pp said, your doctor should refer you to an endo (and for a sonogram) I think!





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