I've been diagnosed as having a cyst and a nodule on my thyroid. They have been there for over ten years. Subsequent exams have shown that while they are both benign, they are growing. I have also been told I have a goiter. My neck feels swollen all the time and sometimes swallowing is difficult. My thyroid levels test within normal ranges, yet I have all the classic symptoms of hypothyroid syndrome.
The major concern at this point is that my mother died from thyroid cancer. I am seriously considering having my thyroid removed as a prophylactic measure. In the meantime I have ordered some herbs that have been reported as beneficial for shrinking cysts and dissolving nodules. I would appreciate input from others who may have had similar issues, such as what you may have tried and any success stories? I really don't want to have my thyroid removed, but in view of my family medical history I feel that I should.
For semi-mainstream info, go to
http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/ for info. They can tell you about which labs to get, and what meds to take. Basically you need a full thyroid panel, not just TSH, and then a natural hormone, not synthetic.
My mother also had ME/CFS and also had nodules and several surgeries for those. Then later, thyroid cancer, which was successfully treated with radioactive iodine (thyroidectomy). However, she developed several other cancers after that and eventually died of cancer.
I was diagnosed with autoimmune thyroiditis in 2001 (not too long after becoming sick with ME/CFS). My TSH was normal, while my thyroid antibodies were sky high. It took a good doctor to catch this. I was on Armour Thyroid for 13 years. I haven't had nodules.
However, after some time on methylation treatment, my thyroid is healed. I no longer need medication, and all my labs are normal.
What I have found out is there are several factors which will impact your thyroid.
1) mercury - I have had all my mercury fillings removed and detoxed the mercury via methylation treatment.
2) lack of iodine (this is why you have a goiter - the thyroid is enlarging looking for iodine) - you can do iodine supplementation. I never tolerated very much of it. At this point, I just use iodized salt for maintenance.
3) iodine-mimicking substances clogging the iodine receptors, so you can't absorb iodine - these are: bromide, chlorine and fluoride. Bromide is in bread (they used to put iodine in bread, but not any more). Bromide is banned in the UK. Chlorine and fluoride are in water. I don't eat bread and I filter my water.
4) lack of methylfolate - this can be due to genetics, and environmental factors such as diet, lead and mercury. Methylation treatment will take care of this.
5) adrenal "fatigue" - the thyroid and adrenals work together, so one will affect the other. I believe this is due to lack of glutathione, which causes a signalling problem for the adrenals, not actual fatigue of the organ. Methylation treatment should also help this.
Poor methylation will also cause the symptoms of ME/CFS and may also lead to cancer. Methylation treatment should be helpful for your thyroid, adrenals, ME/CFS and lower your risk of cancer.
If you're wondering what methylation is, check out the Methylation Made Easy videos linked in my signature below.
So my suggestion would be to do your homework before having your thyroid removed!