“Thyroid ultrasound or second opinion?”
Recently at a physical my doctor felt my neck and went “I can’t tell if that’s a bump or muscle I’m getting a thyroid ultrasound ordered”. Neither me, my husband, nor my friend who works as a nurse can see or feel this bump. Females on my dad’s side do have some thyroid issues when they get older but are typically in their 50s. Not anything cancerous though. My thyroid blood tests came back normal. Ultrasound is very expensive but I don’t want to ignore this if it’s serious. Should I get a second opinion from a specialist or just get the ultrasound?
Female | 27 years old
Complaint duration: One month
Medications: Birth control
Conditions: None
4 Answers
A thyroid ultrasound will answer everybody’s questions. A second opinion will most likely recommend the ultrasound even if he cannot duplicate the initial Physician’s findings, that doesn’t mean that there is no mass in or near your thyroid gland. CT Scan so/w contrast is another option, but will most likely cost more than the ultrasound. Normal blood tests do not mean that there is not a mass in your neck/thyroid. Also, when you get the ultrasound result all or most of your questions will be answered or easily answered by the appropriate Physician.
Certainly an ultrasound would be helpful, to see more in detail if this lump is solitary, movable, consistency, painless/painful, any skin changes?
A blood test for ESR/CRP?
Anyhow, epidermoid cyst are very common, and should be surgically removed, just for cosmetic point of view.
A blood test for ESR/CRP?
Anyhow, epidermoid cyst are very common, and should be surgically removed, just for cosmetic point of view.
No need for a second opinion. Ultrasound is not an invasive procedure.
It's unfortunate when medical decision making is so heavily intertwined with financial influence. This is very upsetting for you as a patient and me as a physician.
Options for you:
1. Get the ultrasound -> shop around and call for rates. Different centers do charge different amounts. Try to negotiate. See if paying upfront for the study is cheaper than what your deductible might be.
There aren't going to be cheaper imaging modalities - CT and MRI - are FAR more expensive.
2. Get a second opinion - if you do, see an ENT physician - particularly one who specializes in head and neck cancer. I'm not implying that's what you have, but this surgeon is the type who deal with the neck and neck mass (if there even is one) daily.
Best of luck!
Options for you:
1. Get the ultrasound -> shop around and call for rates. Different centers do charge different amounts. Try to negotiate. See if paying upfront for the study is cheaper than what your deductible might be.
There aren't going to be cheaper imaging modalities - CT and MRI - are FAR more expensive.
2. Get a second opinion - if you do, see an ENT physician - particularly one who specializes in head and neck cancer. I'm not implying that's what you have, but this surgeon is the type who deal with the neck and neck mass (if there even is one) daily.
Best of luck!
