Hi everyone! So I have a history of a goiter on my left thyroid. Went through all the tests and it's fine. Well 4yrs later I decided to have a physical because my anxiety is all Over the place. Lithium level is fine so we talked about my thyroid and I had to have an ultrasound. Tech told me it's a lot bigger and now I have a nodule on my right thyroid. Fast forward I got some results. Multi nodular goiter and parathyroid. Dr is concerned about the entire thyroid Must see an endo for an fna.Got an appt for 1/24 2 months of waiting !😡 Blood work came back all in the normal range. My question is is there a possibility that I will need my thyroid removed? Meds? Thanks for all your help!
While lithium has proved to be a wonderful drug in the treatment of bi-polar disease it does have dangerous side-effects. One possible side effect is the calcification of the kidneys possibly caused directly or by hyperparathyroidism (HPT). The HPT usually manifests itself as asymptotic hyperplasia of the parathyroid glands. Each such case will need a parathyroidectomy. I have found papers on the web that suggests that anyone on lithium treatment for more than 10 years should be checked for hyperparathyroidism (Googling lithium associated hyperparathyroidism gets the best results). My wife took lithium for over 30 years. She had one parathyroid gland removed 4 years ago (after our GP doubled her lithium dose and after which she became very ill) and another two glands in March this year. She stopped taking lithium 3 years ago. Her kidney scan in July this year showed up white according to the radiologist and also contained two cysts. The kidney specialist we saw said she had diabetes insipidus and that because she is no longer on lithium we should have no further worries about her kidneys. Her GFR indicates that she has stage 3 kidney disease. I hope his helps. Alan. P.S. I am not a doctor and I would not advise you to stop taking lithium which could be very dangerous indeed - just be careful about increasing the dose at any time. Also should you be concerned about hyperparathyroidism Google Norman parathyroid centre Tampa Florida - you'll find a mine of information about HPT.
Hi! So far my lithium dose has stayed the same at 900mg for the 3!yrs I've been on it. I take it for anxiety and depression since antidepressants don't like me. I've only been dealing with all of it for 3yrs but the goiter for 4. All my blood work is normal. I have plenty of symptoms but my blood work is good. Very frustrating! So even though it's all good what do you think that means for my multi nodular goiter and parathyroid?
Hi Halle. I have no idea about the goitre - lets hope that someone on this website can help. As for HPT double check your bloods against the info on the Norman Parathyroid Centre website (serum adjusted calcium,Vitamin D and PTH). My wife was given lithium for depression and lithium levels were measured continually and no problems showed up. She didn't have any manic episodes so has been able to come off lithium and on to another drug.
I'm hoping my family dr sends me my blood work results. It's going to be a long 2 months till my fna
Here in the UK we can ask the GP's receptionists for a printed copy of blood test results. I'd be suprised if they witheld them anywhere else in the World.
Possibility and probability are two different things.
The results from your thyroid blood tests will contribute to a decision.
I have no thyroid, I take replacement hormone. I do very well.
Contact me any time.
So since by levels are in normal range you think I won't be needing surgery or meds?
People live with a large goiter and parathyroid?
I don't even understand what parathyroid is
Thanks for all you help!
The thyroid gland is the thermostat of the body...you can not run the body with a broken down thermostat.
The thyroid is rather butterfly shaped, we term each half a lobe.
Picture the two lobes with a circular patches, one in the upper area of each lobe and one in the lower area of each lobe...these circular patches are the parathyroid glands.
The parathyroid glands are important in the regulation of calcium and phosphate in your body.
An endocrinologist can answer all of your questions...you might write them down to take along with so that you get all of them answered. hugs
Halle, we can't help you on your parathyroids unless you tell us what your serum adjusted calcium,Vitamin D and PTH levels are. I don't know about the thyroid someone else will have to help you there but I'm sure they will need to know what your bloods are. Alan.
So I got my blood results in the mail finally
Free t4- .83
Free t3- 3.3
Tsh- 2.070
Calcium - 9.8