Does anyone know anything about a goiter

Hi after 15month of feeling lousy and having most under active symptoms and complaining of my throat feeling swollen and feeling like I had a golf ball in it ,I've recently had a camera down to find I have a significant sized goiter , I'm back at the hospital for a scan and maybe a biopsy next week , I've had all my tsh bloods done and they've dropped from 3,56 to 2.56, I'm so worried they're gonna just leave me and do nothing with the goiter has anyone got any advice please

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  • Bevs, goitre is a swelling caused by an enlarged thyroid gland. It can be caused by TSH overstimulating the thyroid gland to produce more T4, by autoimmune attack (Hashimoto's) on the thyroid and also by overproduction of hormone in hyperthyroid patients.

    Sometimes there are nodules (lumps) within the goitre on the thyroid and larger nodules which look suspicious may be biopsied by fine needle aspiration to check they are benign. 95% of nodules are benign. Malignant nodules are usually removed via hemilobectomy which leaves the remaning thyroid lobe to produce hormone.

    Unless the goitre or nodules are impacting on other organs or causing difficulty in swallowing or breathing they are usually left in situ and monitored periodically.

    Levothyroxine replacement is usually prescribed when TSH is over range or FT4 &/or FT3 is below range.

    There are posts about goitres here healthunlocked.com/search/g...

  • Hello Bevs,

    Sorry to hear you are still unwell. It is a horrid time for you as the uncertainty can make you feel miserable.

    Depending on the scan and biopsy results or if the goitre is thought to be troublesome, they might operate.

    If results are all ok, I would suggest to your doctor that the goitre was caused by missing T4 and ask for a trial of Levothyroxine to substitute those missing hormones.

    I too had a multi modular goitre which could be seen as a big lump on my neck and caused my voice to go horse. After starting on Levothyroxine, my voice improved, the lump reduced and although I still wear a scarf even now, it isn't really noticeable.

    Unfortunately your TSH is still within range and your doctor probably won't prescribe on hypothyroid symptoms alone, do could you ask for a second opinion or an endo referral?

    You may need to be assertive and persistent which is hard when we ill but do not be fobbed off. You have a problem that will not just go away without replacing those missing hormones.

    Good luck Bevs.

  • Thanks I've been referred to ears nose and throat that's where I'm having the scan next week and the goiter is giving me problems I keep choking in bed at night And get a pain where I laugh , sneeze ,cough etc fingers crossed I get some answers next week thanks for your reply x

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