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Mary's daughter
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| Posted: June 20 2009 at 8:27pm | IP Logged
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I have a history of hyperthyroid since pregnancy #5 (2003). I developed a goiter with pregnancy #7 (2007) and had it biopsied which was negative. I've noticed the goiter getting bigger and had an ultrasound that confirmed this with several nodules. My options, per the MD, are watchful waiting with biopsies everytime it gets bigger or have it removed. Has anyone here had a goiter and had it get smaller or resolve with nutritional changes? Has anyone heard of goiters resolving, period? Has anyone had their thyroid removed and what was their experience with this? I don't want to have repeated biopsies but I'm scared to have it removed.
Stephanie
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Mary's daughter
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| Posted: June 20 2009 at 9:00pm | IP Logged
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I forgot to mention...at this point my thyroid levels are within normal limits and I'm having some difficulty swallowing, tightness in my throat, and hoarseness. I feel like it's growing as I write! I'm scared because DH is being treated for leukemia right now and I've become extra cautious about my health. I want to be well for DH and DC.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Stephanie
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10 Bright Stars
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| Posted: June 22 2009 at 5:57am | IP Logged
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Stephanie,
I have a goiter, but it isn't growing currently. A friend of mine had her thyroid completely removed last week since it had grown rapidly over the past year and was inflamed. They are doing a biopsy on it now for cancer. The good news is, IF it is cancerous, thyroid cancer is a "good" cancer to have since it doesn't mastasticize (sp??) etc. So, I would have it checked out, and she is perfectly fine after the surgery. (Oh, and my husband had his thyroid removed several years ago but his was "calcified" which means it was as hard as a rock, but this is considered thyroid cancer too. He is not on any hormone replacement therapy and his levels are fine. The other lady will have to have her levels checked to see if she needs hormone replacement and or course, you have to hold off on conception until those levels are worked out etc. )
Hope this helps!! I am sorry to hear your husband is having trouble.
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Kim married to Bob (22y)
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crusermom
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| Posted: June 22 2009 at 6:46am | IP Logged
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Stephanie, I was diagnosed 10 years ago. Actually, my husband noticed it sitting across the table from me as I was eating. Mine was fairly stable - no growth - but this past two months I have had some difficulty swallowing, etc. I had an ultrasound on friday and should get the results today. I would be interested in any sort of diet -- but I am hoping they can medically manage it. Maybe thyroid hormone would suppress it? I don't like the idea of surgery - but not swallowing is not pleasant either. Take care. Sorry I was not of much help.
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mary
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| Posted: June 22 2009 at 7:33am | IP Logged
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my goiter was discovered 7 years ago. i had trouble swallowing. the 1st biopsy removed the fluid and i was able to swallow much better. the goiter has grown and i've had it biopsied this year. (the second was very painful.) my hormone levels have been normal, but i have had symptoms of hypothyriodism. my last biopsy came back suspicious and i had a second opinion which came back normal, but US every 4 months. i'm doing my best to improve the health of my thyroid. here is what i'm doing:
make sure you get enough vit D - either via sunlight or cod liver oil
sleep. i hadn't slept well in a decade.
avoid all processed foods - esp sugar and flour
use iodized salt (i had been using salt replacements)
be peaceful
my next US is within a few days. i'm hoping that i've been successful in slowing the growth or even shrinking the nodules. i have noticed that many of my symptoms have disappeared (tremor, hair loss, etc.)
best of luck to you!
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Mackfam
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| Posted: June 22 2009 at 8:48am | IP Logged
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I have a large goiter (since delivering Katie 16 months ago). My thyroid levels were very hyper for several months postpartum, but were returning to normal range as of my last check 6 months ago. My goiter isn't pressing on my windpipe yet, but there are some troubling nodules present...so I have an ultrasound to check them again as well as my thyroid levels next week.
In researching some of the options ahead of time, you do have to be very selective to choose a very competent surgeon if surgery becomes necessary. The thyroid gland is extremely close to the parathyroid gland which controls calcium levels in the body - accidental removal of this gland results in a whole other group of major issues and medication. It's also, as you know, very close to the laryngeal nerve (your voicebox).
I've never heard of a goiter going down (my mom has had normal thyroid function with a goiter for over 30 years now!), but I do understand that there are nutritional/natural ways to treat HYPO-thyroid (a natural animal-based version of synthroid, iodine in the diet, sea kelp) but I don't know if they will reduce the size of the goiter. It makes sense that if the treatment were effective it would, yet I never hear of that happening. If your thyroid function is HYPER...there is no nutritional remedy that I've been able to find. It is prudent to watch and carefully diagnose with a competent doctor - second opinions count here!
I'm praying for you, Stephanie!
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CrunchyMom
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| Posted: June 22 2009 at 9:17am | IP Logged
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Mackfam wrote:
| My thyroid levels were very hyper for several months postpartum, |
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I see. Now we know your secret for getting so much done!  
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Lindsay
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Mary's daughter
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| Posted: June 23 2009 at 9:44am | IP Logged
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Thanks for the advice and prayers. You've confirmed what I've researched, and that's there really isn't a way to shrink the goiter through diet/nutrition. I will keep all of you in my prayers.
Crusermom, what does Vit D have to do with thyroid function? I'm curious because I'm deficient.
God Bless,
Stephanie
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mary
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| Posted: June 24 2009 at 1:42pm | IP Logged
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Mary's daughter wrote:
Crusermom, what does Vit D have to do with thyroid function? I'm curious because I'm deficient.
God Bless,
Stephanie |
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i think you meant this to me. studies have shown the pple who have hypothyroidism are often deficient in vit d. currently, there are clinical studies where breast or thyroid cancer patients are given vit d as part of their therapy.
it's summer - it should be pretty easy to load up on vit d!
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Topic: Goiters anyone?
