Fine Needle Aspiration – Thyroid Biopsy

My doctor asked me to take an ultrasound guided biopsy due to the discovery of a nodule in my right lobe.  Because I didn’t know much about this procedure at that time, I had no idea that this test could not be done in a lab, but instead it had to be done at a hospital as out patient surgery!   WOW, it’s just a test, right?  Well, after going through this test, it really is more than just a test.  An ultrasound guided biopsy is a technique that is performed with a fine needle and guided by ultrasound–is is called guided FNA (Fine Needle Aspiration).  When this test is performed, the goal is to analyze any nodules and to withdraw cells to determine whether they are cancerous or not.

How does the FNA biopsy work?

Under conscious sedation or basic numbing medicine, a fine needle is inserted in your throat, directly into the nodule, which is located in the thyroid.  An ultrasound device is used to determine the location of the nodule so that the doctor will find the exact location of the nodule. Then cells are extracted and placed on a slide for evaluations.

(NOTE: Because I did not have anyone to drive me home in the middle of the day, and the fact that I spoke with a nurse a few days prior about what to except, I decided to not have conscious sedation done. Instead I decided to treat this process as if I was at the dentist office having a root canal done! There is very little to no pain!)

How to prepare for the FNA biopsy?

1. Work with your doctor to find a hospital (or clinic) that does this sort of biopsy and then schedule the appointment.
2. Find out from the hospital scheduler/nurse all of the required documentations/tests that are needed prior to the biopsy.  Ask the following questions:
   Is additional blood work required?
   Do I need to bring a copy of the ultrasound film?
   Do I need to fast prior to the biopsy? 
   How long will the procedure take?
   What numbing procedure is used for this biospy–basic numbing medicine or conscious sedation?
   Will I be immediately released after the procedure or will I be monitored for an hour or so?
   When will I be able to eat?
   Will there be any soreness?
3. Follow out patient instructions after the biopsy.

Are you getting enough Vitamin D?

In addition to eating a healthy, balanced nutritious diet, taking the proper amount of vitamins and minerals are also equally important.  In fact, vitamins and minerals work with nutrients to help the body function properly such as converting carbohydrates, fats and proteins produce energy.[1] There are many vitamins and minerals with different purposes and it is important to at least take a multivitamin to meet the recommended daily amount.  Vitamin D is important for both men and women because it helps deposit calcium in ones bones and protects against bone disease.  As people age, after age fifty, the need for Vitamin D doubles!

Vitamin D is also important for people who struggle with thyroid disease.  After speaking with my doctor about my thyroid issues (not functioning properly), she ordered an exam to determine my Vitamin D and magnesium levels.  She indicated that there had been studies performed that indicated that Vitamin D is necessary for many thyroid patients, especially those diagnosed with hypothyroid disease…like myself! Moreover, according to Mary Shomon, author of Living Well with Hypothyroidism”, Vitamin D appears to be necessary in order for the pituitary gland to produce thyroid hormone, as well as in supporting  the enzyme to convert T4 (inactive thyroid hormone) into T3 (the active type).[2]

After reviewing the test results with my doctor, I learned that I was in fact deficient in Vitamin D!  I had forgotten that in 2005 I stopped drinking milk and consuming many of the foods that had Vitamin D. Thank goodness for good doctors! Immediately, she gave me Vitamin D liquid drops, as well as tweaked my compounded thyroid medication.  Within a month, my hormones started bouncing back into place!!  I was in shock; I was beginning to feel normal again!

How much Vitamin D do you need?

Birth to Age 50: 200 IUs

Ages 51 – 69: 400 IUs

Age 70 and up: 600 IUs

Where can you get Vitamin D?  Salmon, tuna, fortified foods such as milk, juice, whole grain breakfast cereals, supplements, etc. Also, Vitamin D is made by the body after sunlight hits the skin, but one should limit this exposure time to about 10 to 15 minutes twice weekly. (NOTE: If you’re vegan like myself, I recommend that you purchase the Vitamin D liquid drops and speak with your healthy practitioner regarding the appropriate dosage amount for you.)

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[1] Duyff, Roberta Larson. Complete Food and Nutrition Guide. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.: New Jersey. 2006.

[2] Shomon, Mary J.  Living Well With Hypothyroidism. HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.: New York. 2000.

Where to Buy “So, What Can I Eat Now?!” Cookbook

The list of places/locations where you can find the latest hottest cookbook on the market is growing!  If you do not have this cookbook on your bookshelf, and in your kitchen, then you MUST get it NOW!  This book is great for anyone with joint problems due to arthritis, thyroid disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, food allergies, etc.!

Here’s where you can purchase your copy today!

1. Rhonda’s Cooking Website (www.rhondascooking.com)
2. Changing Hands Bookstore:    6428 S. McClintok Dr., Tempe, AZ 85283 (McClintok/Guadalupe)
3. Healthy Habit Health Foods:   6029 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014 (Bethany Home Road/7th St.)
4. Urban Tea Loft:  11 W. Boston St., Suite #2, Historic Downtown Chanderl, Chandler, AZ 85225
5. Gluten Free Country Store:   3345 S. Val Vista Rd., Ste. 101, Gilbert, AZ 85297