
You can have 99 problems in life until you have a health problem, then you only have one.
I just took an unplanned (and pretty freaking scary) deep-dive learning about thyroid health. I'm over-sharing a bit here, but I think what I learned might help you too.
In early December I had a routine scan as a part of an annual checkup (a lot of stories start like that, don’t they?). I have a family history that suggests I should check on a couple of things and all was well with that.
Except…
December 13th
During the scan the radiologist noted that I had thyroid nodules that appeared to have “calcifications” and recommended I have a thyroid ultrasound to look closer.
I am not someone who is triggered by medical google searches. I am an information gatherer; I want all of the facts. That said, googling “thyroid nodules with calcifications” is a little spooky. Add to that my recent blood test that showed my TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone, one measure of how the thyroid is functioning) was rising and was higher this year than ever before. This is unnerving even for someone who doesn't scare easily.
December 18th
My thyroid ultrasound results came back quickly and showed that my thyroid has multiple nodules ranging in size from 5-12mm. Most are rated as TR4 on the TI-RADS (Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System) scale, meaning they are seen as a “moderately suspicious for malignancy”. Two of the larger nodules were rated TR5, or “highly suspicious for malignancy”.
A fine needle biopsy was ordered to evaluate the TR5 (highly suspicious) nodules.
With the end of the year coming, medical practitioners were fairly busy with people trying to use their HSA/FSA money or get things done while they were in the lower cost part of the year having already met their insurance deductibles. I struggled a little to get a biopsy appointment. The hospital closest to me was booked until March (!) so I ended up scheduling at a hospital an hour from home.
I enjoyed the holidays with my family while repeating this mantra: “I trust my body” over and over and over in my mind. I kept going for walks and getting in my workouts. Eating healthy foods and trying to sleep.
January 3rd
On a very rainy Friday I had 13 needles stuck in my neck. I was told the results of the biopsy would take 3-5 days and I was sent home with an ice pack and instructions to rest for a couple of days. I was told to call my doctor if I didn’t have results by day 5. Thoroughly freaked out at this point, I cried all the way home.
Day 3 came. Then day 5. I called my doctor and was told they had results but I would have to drive in to their office to get a copy since the person on the phone was not authorized to go over them with me. It was another Friday and I could not stand the idea of waiting through another weekend so I dropped everything and drove 20 minutes to my doctor’s office only to pick up a print out that described the biopsy procedure but did not show the results. I would need to wait until an appointment with my doctor the following week to find out more. I drove home feeling angry, frustrated, and over the whole damn thing.
January 14
On the 14th (FOUR WEEKS after I learned that I had “highly suspicious” thyroid nodules) I had an appointment with my doctor when I FINALLY learned that my nodules were BENIGN. I cried with relief and talked with my doctor about the importance if iodine in the diet.
Thyroid lessons I want to share with you
Why am I over-sharing to tell you all of this? Because I’ve learned a lot about the thyroid over the past 4 weeks and I think this knowledge can help you too.
First, thyroid nodules are VERY common, especially in women. They are benign the vast majority of the time. Even when they are rated as “suspicious” they are still more likely than not to be benign.
Second, the solution for me (that is also prevention) is simple: make sure you’re getting enough iodine.
I don’t use iodized salt at home because I prefer the gentler flavor of kosher salt, which is not iodized. Also, I stopped taking a multivitamin in 2022 to simplify my supplement routine. I’ve been eating a brazil nut each day for selenium (also important for thyroid health) and assuming that I was getting enough iodine from dairy products and other things in my diet. I didn’t give it much thought.
What I’m doing now
I’m back to taking a multivitamin every day. Note: If you choose to take a multivitamin too, check the label. They vary in the amount of iodine (if any) they contain.
Cooking with iodized salt. They put that iodine in there for a reason, friends!
Sooooo, all of this to say: please make sure you’re getting enough iodine (and selenium)! 🩷
Food sources of iodine:
Iodized salt (!)
Seafood (cod, canned tuna, oysters, shrimp, sardines, seaweed)
Dairy (milk, cheese, yogurt)
Eggs
Meats (beef liver, chicken)
Fortified foods
Food sources of selenium:
Brazil nuts (just 1 nut provides more than 100% of the RDA)
Seafood (cod, salmon, yellowfin tuna, halibut, oysters, mussels, shrimp)
Meats and organ meats (pork, beef, turkey, chicken, liver)
Eggs
Dairy (cottage cheese, milk, yogurt)
Spinach
Asparagus
Whole grains and grain products, brown rice, oats
Beans, lentils
Tofu
Cashews, pistachios, sunflower seeds
Mushrooms
Bananas
This is not medical advice; only a cautionary tale. 😘
Appreciate you sharing this and giving us simple reminders!