i have an enlarged thyroid, I am so scared, please help

[sapphire29]

about 9 years ago I was diagnosed with an enlarged thyroid, I was scanned and it was found to be benign. I was discharged and thought no more of it. i also had a blood test and was also told my thyroid function was normal

anyway it is still there and i think it has got slightly bigger over the years, it is not visible to see, doesn't hurt or cause me any problems, but can be felt to touch if you see what i mean.

i went to the doctors and have been referred for a scan, and have had bloods taken. but now i am absolutely sick with fear and terrified its going to be something awful, esp as i have had it for years, is it possible for these things to change and no longer be benign? i have googled and i know sometimes it can be cancer

if anyone can help i would be very grateful. the wait for the scan / results etc will be agony as i suffer from anxiety anyway. i should also add i recently had a baby, and have had 5 pregnancies in 8 years (2 miscarriages and 3 live births) i mention that as have heard pregnancy hormones can affect the thyroid. i am 33 if this helps as well.

[Clutter]

Sapphire,

The hormonal changes caused by puberty, pregnancy and menopause can trigger hypothyroidism and undiagnosed and untreated hypothyroidism can cause difficulty in conceiving &/or miscarriage. If you plan any more pregnancies you should inform your GP so your thyroid levels can be carefully monitored to ensure your good health and good foetal development.

The scan will determine the type of swelling (goiter), whether it is multi-nodular or a single nodule, the size and where it is in relation to windpipe, vocal chords and other organs. Multi-nodular nodules are common and are rarely cancerous. Single nodules are rarely cancerous but may be further investigated by fine needle aspiration (FNA) to check for cancer cells. incidence of thyroid cancer is still very rare.

I had thyroid cancer 2 years ago. Thyroid was removed, radioactive iodine ablatement was done to mop up any cancer cells due to risk factors such as tumour size, type and my age and I take replacement thyroid hormone, Levothyroxine and Liothyronine. My life expectancy is 97% of the normal population but will rise if I remain in remission after 5 years.

[sapphire29]

hi clutter. thank you for your response. I am so glad to hear that you are ok now and I hope you stay healthy. I am so frightened though as mine has been there so long. is it normal if you have a benign swelling that it just stays swollen or is it supposed to go away? I also think mine slightly fluctuates in size as well. And I cant remember what they said mine was when it was first diagnosed (ie whether it is a goitre / nodules / single nodule ) they just said it was benign. I am just in an absolute massive panic. It is making me feel ill. been crying on and off for 24 hours now