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Anyone thy3f and thy3a and decided to watch and wait?

Mer109
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Hello

I am new here and was wondering if anyone could offer advice as things seem to be moving too quick. I am female and 52. On being referring to ENT in April 2019 for a lump under chin, which turned out to be enlarged lymph, not of importance, it was discovered during ultrasound that I had “suspicious” looking nodules on thyroid and decided to re-scan in 6 months. At the 6 month re-scan in Nov 2019 it was decided that a FNA was required. 7 weeks later I was told the test was inadequate and this was to be repeated. Within two weeks of the second FNA my results are thy3f and thy3a, one nodule either side. I have been pencilled in for thyroid removal in 3 weeks if I want the procedure which the surgeon has recommended I have. I have been given no report in writing as yet, no information on thyroid functions, effects afterwards on thyroid replacement drugs which I am really concerned about as having a total abdominal hysterectomy with ovary removal three years ago I am still dealing with the aftermath of surgical menopause. Everyone who offers advice is saying get it taken out why are you hestitating but my heart is saying watch and wait. When I asked the surgeon if I could watch and wait he replied that he had to follow guidelines and recommend removal and if I was scanned in 6 months time what was I hoping for as the result would be the same? I would appreciate any advice thank you 

  • Hello Mer109

    I'm sorry to hear that you find yourself in this situation. It sounds as if you're in a difficult situation at the moment. 

    Obviously no one can force you to go through with the surgery but given that you've had problems with managing the symptoms of your surgical menopause it's understandable that you may be concerned about the impact of this surgery. 

    You could ask for a second opinion from another surgeon if you felt that might help with your decision. You can find more information about how you can do that here. You might also find it helpful to talk things through with one of our team of nurses. They may be able to offer some information and support. You can call them on 0808 800 4040, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. 

    I hope that whatever decision you make that things go smoothly for you. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator

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    Hello Mer109,

    I have had an FNA in Italy at the end of January and they reported it as a Tir 3a, which is different than a Tir 3b as in the first case the patient can keep it monitored and do another biopsy in 6 months. Tir 3b instead are taken off.

    Since then I have felt the nodule growing and I got worried so this week I have seen an endo-surgeon who talked about Thyr3f (which I have not heard of before) and said that usually when it is 3 they just take it off as it has a 20% of chances.

    I am still a bit skeptical though as I have learnt that it is a matter of approach of the doctor who visits you. In Italy it seems they follow the Tir 3a / b categorisation which saves people from having their thyroid removed when the chance of the nodule being a cancer is "only" a 6-10%. That means you could be in the 80% who has their thyroid removed for kind of nothing, to some extent, which potential during and post operations risks. 
    Now, if the nodule is a cancer is good to remove it as soon as possible but if it is likely not, I wonder (cos I am not sure of what to do myself..) if it's not better to wait and keep it monitored?

    Anyone here who has heard of Tir 3 a and b?

    I feel lost in a foreign country with a big health question mark :(

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    I don't have any advice, but have had my thyroid removed over a year ago and can give you an indication of how that went. Obviously, it may not be the same for you, but I'll tell you my experience for what it's worth.

    I had lymph nodes removed as well as my thyroid, which meant I had to spend nearly a week in hospital. I felt pretty much fine after about three days though and would have been home at that point if it had just been my thyroid they were removing. I was worried about the effect of the drugs as I am a teacher and have a long commute each day, so was thinking I really didn't need to be dealing with things like fatigue. None of them happened. Other than a slightly stiff neck, I felt really no different after the operation than I did before. I actually probably have slightly more energy than before, but whether that is related to the operation or thyroid medication or not, I don't know. I think it's likely just a coincidence or confirmation bias.

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