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Thyroid issues
For the past 12 months, I have been experiencing thyroid-related issues. Initially, I consulted an ENT doctor, who advised me to undergo several tests, including FNAC, TSH, T3, and T4. The reports did not show any major problems, although the ultrasound report mentioned a goiter. The doctor prescribed levothyroxine tablets, which I have been taking for the past nine months. My thyroid levels became normal, but the swelling on one side of my neck did not decrease.
I then consulted an endocrinologist. He repeated the blood tests, FNAC, T3, T4, and other hormone tests. After reviewing the results, he said that all the test results were normal. However, the swelling still did not decrease. Finally, he recommended surgery.
I would like to know what I should do next. Should I proceed with the surgery, or should I get a second opinion?
Thyroxine shrinks a nodule only rarely, so the swelling not reducing is expected and not a treatment failure. Surgery is justified only if the FNAC is suspicious (Bethesda III and above), the nodule is large and pressing (difficulty swallowing, breathing, voice change), it keeps growing, or the cosmetic bulge genuinely bothers you. With benign FNAC, normal hormones and no pressure symptoms, I would not operate - I would repeat ultrasound in 6 months and watch, because a half thyroid removal can put you on lifelong tablets. Before deciding, get the actual FNAC report, ultrasound with TIRADS score and nodule size in hand. Book a Practo consult and share those three documents - I will tell you clearly whether the knife is needed or not.
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Swelling despite normal thyroid tests deserves careful reassessment, so a second opinion from an endocrinologist or a thyroid surgeon with review of the ultrasound and FNAC before deciding on surgery would be reasonable.
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