Thyroid U/S & Antibodies

So I got the news today that my thyroid u/s was abnormal. There were "multiple nodules" but they were all very small in size. None were larger than 5mm, and they do not worry unless they are greater than 1cm. So I will probably need to have repeat thyroid u/s's every 6-12 months to make sure the nodules do not get any larger. Also, my thyroid antibodies came back elevated. They were 719. And the normal level is anything less than 8.99. All of this leads me to believe I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. It is an autoimmune disorder that attacks the thyroid causing hypothyroidism. I still have to be on Synthroid though so not much changed despite more results. I will need blood levels monitored possibly forever to keep my TSH within a normal, healthy range. As depressing as it is to think that I'll have a medical condition that needs to be medicated for the rest of my life, I am happy that it is something quite manageable. They are going to test me for Rheumatoid Arthritis since my mother has this disease and it is also an autoimmune disease. The two could be interrelated. I will be devastated if I have RA. Just wanted for the lab order to come in the mail and then I'll go get my blood drawn to test for RA. I am praying hard that the test is negative.