Seeking Clarity on Upcoming Biopsy Results
I’m a 27-year-old female, and I recently received the results from an ultrasound of my neck. I’ll be undergoing biopsies on some growths within the week. I find myself feeling quite anxious and could use some assistance in understanding what the findings might indicate. In particular, I’m hoping to learn about the possibility of thyroid cancer and if so, what type it might be. Just having some context would really help ease my nerves, especially since my GERD is exacerbating my discomfort with breathing and swallowing. **Findings Summary** - **Right Thyroid Lobe:** 4.3 cm x 1.9 cm x 1.7 cm (CC x Width x AP) - **Left Thyroid Lobe:** 4.1 cm x 1.8 cm x 1.7 cm (CC x Width x AP) - **Isthmus:** 0.3 cm (AP) Both lobes of the thyroid are of normal size, and there is no thickening present in the isthmus. The results indicate multiple nodules within both lobes—at least one in the right and several in the left. The three nodules that raise the most concern are located solely in the left lobe and are described as follows, along with their TIRADS scores: **Left Lobe Nodules:** 1. A solid, hypoechoic nodule, wider than it is tall, with smooth margins located in the lower part, measuring approximately 0.8 cm x 0.5 cm x 0.4 cm (CC x Width x AP). **[TIRADS 4]** 2. Two other solid, hypoechoic nodules, both wider than taller with suspected extrathyroidal extension, situated in the middle and lower regions, to the left of the isthmus, the largest measuring about 0.9 cm x 0.6 cm x 0.5 cm (CC x Width x AP). **[TIRADS 4-5]** The submandibular and left parotid glands appear unremarkable. Additionally, there are multiple non-enlarged lymph nodes in both jugular chains, the right parotid gland, and the back of the neck, with the largest being in the right parotid gland, measuring approximately 0.4 cm at its widest. **Impression:** - Bilateral thyroid nodules as described. Recommendations from TI-RADS available below. - Presence of cervical lymphadenopathies. - Unremarkable ultrasound findings for the left parotid and submandibular glands. **Lab Results:** - TSH: 1.666 - FT3: 4.822 - FT4: 17.354
Answers (1)
7/29/2025, 3:20:57 PM
OpenHealth AI
Main Points: Your anxiety about the upcoming biopsy is understandable, especially with multiple nodules present on your thyroid. The results show areas that warrant further investigation due to their characteristics. It's essential to prepare for potential outcomes while focusing on what you can do to manage your current discomfort.
Explanation: The ultrasound results indicate several nodules in your thyroid, specifically in the left lobe, which have scored TIRADS 4 and TIRADS 4-5. TIRADS (Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System) scores help assess the likelihood of thyroid nodules being cancerous. A score of 4 indicates a moderate suspicion of malignancy, while a score of 5 suggests a higher risk. Nonetheless, many thyroid nodules, even those with higher TIRADS scores, can be benign.
The biopsies will help determine the nature of these nodules. Thyroid cancer can vary in types, with papillary thyroid cancer being the most common in younger women, but many nodules are not cancerous. The presence of lymph nodes can be a part of the body's response to thyroid nodules, and not all lymph nodes being enlarged means cancer is present.
Next Steps:
-
Manage Anxiety: It helps to talk about your feelings. Consider journaling or discussing your concerns with someone you trust. Engaging in relaxation techniques like deep breathing or mindfulness exercises can also help reduce anxiety.
-
Prepare for Biopsy: Since you’ll be undergoing biopsies soon, ensure you discuss any specific concerns with your healthcare provider ahead of your appointment. Clarifying what you can expect during the biopsy can ease your nerves.
-
Symptom Management: For your GERD and throat discomfort, focus on dietary adjustments such as avoiding spicy, acidic, or fatty foods and eating smaller, more frequent meals. Elevating the head of your bed can also help with symptoms at night.
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of any changes in your breathing or swallowing. If you notice significant changes or worsening symptoms, make sure to inform your healthcare provider.
-
Follow Up Post-Biopsy: After receiving your biopsy results, follow up with your doctor to understand the findings and next steps.
Remember, it's perfectly normal to feel anxious about these findings and upcoming procedures. Focus on managing your current discomfort and prepare yourself for the next steps, keeping an open line of communication with your healthcare team.
Related Questions
Injury Update: Glass Cut on Hand
On Friday at around 1 PM, I sustained a cut on my hand from a shard of glass while handling it. I’ve chosen not to seek emergency medical attention due to financial constraints, as I do not have insurance. I am a 37-year-old male, standing 6 feet 3 inches tall, weighing 300 pounds, and I’m currently not on any medication, nor do I smoke. My medical history is clean with no prior conditions. The incident occurred four days and seven hours ago, and although the cut initially seemed deep—it punctured my skin about 0.75 centimeters—it has mostly healed on the surface since then. However, I’m experiencing some discomfort. Since the injury, my middle and right fingers have developed a cramping sensation in the lower middle part of each finger. It feels as though I need to stretch or pull them, but I find no relief from the sensation. There is only mild pain when I touch the area of the wound, which still feels slightly tender. My concern grows, as I’m apprehensive about the possibility of long-term pain due to this injury. I regret not seeking help from a hospital, but again, affordability is a significant issue for me. I’m left uncertain about what my next steps should be to address this health concern without incurring excessive medical costs.
Understanding Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease in Adults
Hello everyone! I'm a 21-year-old female working in a childcare setting, where an outbreak of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) has recently been reported. Last Friday, after enjoying a night out with my boyfriend, I developed a high fever of 103°F. Soon after, I noticed some spots in my throat, which started to appear and spread up until Sunday. Fortunately, these spots are flat and not oozing. Since Saturday morning, I’ve been without a fever, even without the use of medication. I’m curious about how long I should wait before I can safely spend time with my boyfriend again, especially since I still have a mouth ulcer. Just to clarify, the noticeable bump in my first image is actually a bug bite, not related to HFMD.
Long-Term Consequences of Benadryl Usage
To sum it up, my nearly 3-year-old child suffers from severe eczema affecting his entire body. Despite our various treatment efforts, his hands and feet tend to be the most problematic areas. Even on days when his skin looks better elsewhere, his hands and feet are often in a full-blown flare-up. As a result, we administer 5mL of Benadryl to him most nights since he weighs 38 pounds; it alleviates his itching and promotes better sleep. On the nights when he doesn't receive the medication, he tends to wake up frequently due to scratching. However, it deeply troubles me to give it to him so consistently, which is why I aim for every other night, except during more severe flare-ups. He has had eczema since he was roughly 5 weeks old, and we have been giving him Benadryl regularly once he was old enough for it, so this routine has been going on for quite some time. Could long-term use of Benadryl pose any risks to his health?
Understanding ITP in a Young Patient
A 10-year-old girl, weighing around 114 pounds and standing close to 5 feet tall, received a diagnosis of mild Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) from a hematology specialist in February. Following a postoperative incident involving a tonsillectomy, her platelet count returned to normal. During the following months, she experienced both a Covid infection and fifth disease, which hematology experts suspect may have contributed to the subsequent decrease in her platelet levels. Her platelet counts have fluctuated between 66,000 and 105,000. As she approaches the six-month mark since diagnosis, her most recent platelet count was noted at 68,000, representing a slight improvement from the previous month's count of 66,000. Is there a possibility that she could achieve recovery independently without the need for medical intervention?
Persistent Throat Pain: Seeking Advice
I am a 37-year-old female, standing at 5 feet 7 inches and weighing between 260 and 275 pounds. I do not smoke. My discomfort began on the evening of July 19 with a sore throat that escalated to an unbearable level by July 22. I experienced no nasal congestion, cough, or fever. As a result, I called in sick to work and sought immediate care at an urgent care facility. There, I was tested for RSV, COVID, Influenza, and Strep throat, all of which returned negative results. The doctor examined my throat and asserted that it appeared normal. I received a steroid injection and was prescribed a regimen of 20mg prednisone to take twice daily, along with lidocaine to gargle for relief. I was advised to return in three days if my condition did not improve. Additionally, I was recommended to create a homemade mouthwash to soothe my throat. However, there were delays in obtaining the prednisone, which I only received by Thursday afternoon, and the lidocaine came the following Friday, after much back and forth with the pharmacy and the urgent care clinic. Throughout Thursday and Friday, I managed to take the two 20mg prednisone doses each afternoon, which provided some relief, but only temporarily. By Saturday, I began adjusting my dosing schedule to one pill every 12 hours. This tactic has helped a bit, but the relief tends to wear off every eight hours and the lidocaine has not been very effective. Concurrently, I started developing a severe productive cough with brown and gold phlegm, adding to my discomfort. By Sunday, the pain became intolerable, prompting another visit to urgent care. After re-evaluation and further testing, the results remained negative, and my throat was still deemed normal. At that visit, I was prescribed a Z-Pack antibiotic, which I began on Sunday with an initial dose of two tablets. As of today, Tuesday, I am on my third day of treatment. I ran out of my prednisone supply this morning and the level of pain has increased again. I'm feeling quite uncertain regarding the cause of my symptoms. The steroid is the only treatment that has seemingly provided any benefit. Interestingly, I had a persistent sore throat last November that lasted a grueling five weeks, and it was extremely difficult to endure. I would greatly appreciate any insights or suggestions regarding my situation, especially as I am a single parent and cannot afford to be unable to speak. I have already consulted two different doctors regarding my health. Additionally, I want to note that there has been no sexual activity in over four months, and my last STD screening in May was clear.