Well Steph, it doesn't look like many people hang out in this group.
I'm curious as to what you decided to do, if anything.

I have a multi-nodular goiter that is growing, but normal bloodwork (even though I feel hypothyroid, my doc insists I'm not). Anyway, I'm considering a thyroidectomy just because this is becoming increasingly uncomfortable. I would probably have less hesitiation if I were hyperthyroid too...the uncomfortable fullness, vocal changes and occaisional swallowing problems are enough for me!

Granted, you never want to take any surgery lightly, but the risks here seem minimal by comparison to the goiter. You could have your thyroid killed off with radiation, but that would do nothing for the goiter itself. Removal seems the better option (to me, anyway).

I seen a new endo yesterday and all he did was push RAI which i do not want. He told me a thyroidectomy is not an option because my goiter has gotten so large he thinks it would be too risky too remove. Now I don't know where to turn.

Well that doesn't seem right, unless he's just afraid to do it. From what I've read, some people have to "interview" a lot of docs before they find one who agrees on a treatment that's acceptable. You need more opinions, as much of a hassle as it is to go from doc to doc. You should never feel "pushed" into anything!

Hey Ingrid - I read your story (beautifully written, by the way), and I just want to thank you for bringing it to my attention.

Maybe Steph's doc is concerned she's at high risk of VFP because of the size of her goiter. I don't know how big mine is, because I don't have my records, though have had 2 ultrasounds and a FNA biopsy. I know one nodule is bigger, and growing faster than the other. I have to go back in February to check it again, but I can tell it's bigger. I can hear it in my voice, and I'm feeling a little more breathless - yawning & sighing frequently, conscious of my swallowing (even if I'm not eating anything).

So I'll investigate all options. I was hoping thyroid meds would work to shrink it, and that my doc was a numbskull for not thinking of it, but after further reading and your story, I see it's controversial and not widly accepted treatment. What else is there besides RAI? I'm going to read up on your site a lot more, and maybe you've answered this there: What treatment would you choose if you could do it all over again?

-Laura

Thank you ingrid I really enjoyed your story.

I have an appt with an Otolaryngologist dec 14th. My endo did warn me that damaging my vocal cords were his concern but I just don't know where to turn now. I just want this thing out of me.

I'm with you Steph. Please do me a favor and post what your otolaryngologist advises....

Thanks,
Laura

What would be some good questions to ask the Otolaryngologist?

I've been reading about new treatments - ask him about something called Percutaneus Ethanol Injections to shrink the nodules, also ask about High Intensity Ultrasound beam treatments. I've read about both in a endocrinologist trade article online. We may have choices after all....I don't know how new these treatments are though. My next doc visit isn't until February, so anything you find out in the meantime would be great.

it has been years since there has been a post on this thread, but what the heck, I'm curious to see how your stories turned out.
Me, I'm new here and looking for support and advice. I have a multinodular benign goiter..... endocrinologist recommends surgery, but before doing that I wanted to exhaust all other options. I have been researching on the internet but with not much success. I do know a holistic healer (doctor of oriental medicine, acupuncture) that tells me she can shrink the nodules with "cleansing" -- that the blood and liver need to be cleansed, through chinese herbs (specifically the Q.B.H. formula from East Tao Herb Pharmacy), juicing (raw fresh veggies mainly) and liver cleanses (not sure what they involve) It all makes sense to me, but I haven't embarked on it yet. Have you heard of the Sisel products? the Fucoydan (limu moui) is their recemmended product for this condition, but I haven't tried it either. I will keep posting about what I find out and what I am trying..... and if anyone has any comments or advice I'd love to hear them!

when i had my goieter they blaated it with radiation n my goiter isnt there anymore hope this helps get all the info on this u can it was twenty years ago i had this done make sure to keep up on the info n take time n if they give u meds take then i have problems now because i had no support or info n didnt know anything n still know very little ihave my good days n my bad ones hope u get better

I have a question.....I was diagnosed with a goiter two months ago. they put me on methimazole and my symptoms are now minimal except the sleeping issues. I believe my goiter is causing me to wake up several times a night. are you having this issue?

I have a goiter and nodules on my thyroid they call my condition Hashimoto's disease and lived one year in pain because I was seeing a bad Dr that said thyroid is off we will check it again in a month but never did and it just got so bad. The meds helped me but they were going to remove the thyroid if meds did not work because the new dr did not know how long I was walking around with thyroid so bad. I hope all goes well for you.