Drew, last fall DW (Patsy) had her Thyroid removed. It had grown so huge, it was blocking her throat, causing difficuty in swallowing, and was close to blocking her windpipes. So, out it came. Doc said in his entire career, it was the largest he'd ever removed, the size of TWO softballs. We've got the pictures.......EEWWWW! It had even grown down below her collarbone. Checked for cancer, it was clean, fortunately. He also said that had it been cancerous, it was very easy to treat. So, keep the faith, and do whatever the doc says. DW is doing fine on the synthetic thyroid meds now, as well.