Hey I have had swollen lymph nodes behind my ears for almost 2 years. They will not go away and the doctor told me that they're probably harmless, but I've noticed some new things as well. There seems to be lymph nodes on the front of my neck, and I have been having headaches most days. Does anyone have any ideas of what this could be? Thanks
Lymph Nodes: Hey I have had swollen lymph nodes... - Thyroid UK
Lymph Nodes
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personwhoeatsfood
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No, but I'd definitely get back to the doctor / ask for a second opinion and some blood tests to check markers for infection.
One possibility??? - painless, deep ear infections can often go undetected in hypo patients. Going deaf (if at all possible) should be avoided .. a referral to an ENT doctor may be required.
Thanks! I originally went to an ENT but they said I was fine :/ I recently had a blood test but I think they were testing for something different. Not really sure how it works. What is hypo, by the way, and is it common in someone my age? (under 18) Thanks for your help! 
Lymph nodes are very small clusters of immune cells that function as part of the body’s immune system. Are you fighting off any infection? Do you have Hashimotos?
I wouldn't mess around, don't be fobbed off go to a different Dr for a second opinion or demand to see a specialist.
Good luck.
No diseases that I know of. Everyone seems to think I'm fine. It's just strange how many swollen lymph nodes I have. I might have a cold, and that could be why my throat has the lymph nodes, but still no explanation for behind my ears.
Thank you!
By your last reply I'm guessing you dont know if you have thyroid issues. Ask the Dr to check your thyroid function and your thyroid antibodies (very important)
B12, Folate, Ferritin, vitamin D too if they will.
How are you feeling in yourself, do you feel pretty normal or tired, brainfog etc?
Is your gut normal or do you bloat have bowel problems?
Sorry for all the questions but trying to fathom out if you have thyroid issues.
I don't know if I have thyroid issues, and I will be sure to ask the doctor next time I go. I've been feeling tired, but I think it's because I'm a teenager. Could be something else. I had stomach pain the other day but I think it was something I ate, so pretty normal. I have had bowel problems and I'm not too sure about that. Thanks. It really could be anything. Best if I just check with my doc, huh?
Oh yes check gut/bowels and general health with doctor. I had multiple tiredness and gut issue in teenage years such that regularly tested for all sorts of things. Never really got to the bottom of it. Now severe gut issues, CFS/ME and hypo. Doctors could never really sort it all out but I believe my issues began a long time ago.
So why should teenagers be tired? Are you taking care of yourself and prioritising sleep and regular good quality food? Make sure you have all the relatively simple measures in place and if you are studying hard and doing exams then you have my best wishes.
Well, I could get off my butt more. I do ballet 2x a week but other than that I'm home all day. I'll try being more active and eating healthier. That should help. I will ask the doctor. 
Thank you so much!
Remember that headaches can be dehydration. It may not be the whole answer but is a least easy to try. And I am a firm believer in fresh air every single day, possibly easier to get at this time of the year. I was an athlete in training as a teenager so was very frustrated that doctor kept telling me I wasn't functioning well but never found anything. Do all the simple things that are in your control as getting a doctor to hear you and even look for something can take an age. But do keep telling them. Can you refer yourself for physio to check your neck? And of course that brings me to posture... A headache a day is not normal.
I will try drinking more. I don't have them daily, but water usually helps. I don't think I've been outside all day! Thank you so much. Maybe there isn't an underlying condition and I'm just kind of lazy, lol. But I will still go to a doctor to be sure!
No you are not lazy just having to fine tune your day to accommodate these symptoms. Normally the body needs us to pay attention and do something but we are very good at overriding the messages. So pay attention and get outside for a bit 🙂. No sunglasses required here today.
I will try that! Thank you !!
fresh air never hurt anyone lol
Yes I would ask for a full thyroid panel including thyroid antibodies. Then if nothing else it will rule things out.
I've a sneaky suspicion you could possibly have Hashimotos Thyroditis, very common loads of us have it. Mine was missed for twenty years so definitely look in to it now! X
I get this and in me its from tick borne illness ( Lyme and Babesia and Bartonella ). Definitely get tested .also try Vodder lymph drainage massage.
Will do. Many thanks
If you have multiple enlarged glands then at the very least they should take a biopsy.
You don't seem to have many hypothyroid symptoms at present. I would pursue the lymph glands for now, I can't imagine why no one has offered to do a biopsy
It's a minor thing, a little needle takes a few cells, then they look at them under the microscope.
The only certain way to know what's going on IMHO
personwhoeatsfood in reply to
I actually asked them to do a biopsy, but they thought that it would add to the problem. I will ask again and be more insistent. Hopefully they listen! :/
That is a very strange answer from a medic. The only reason not to stick a needle in a mass is that, if it is cancerous, you will be puncturing the enclosing membrane which could cause the cancerous cells to leak out and go elsewhere. If the doc is indeed suspecting cancer, s/he should be doing other tests (starting with a biopsy - or fine needle analysis).
Thank you, that put my mind at ease a little. Hopefully this next doctor know a little more.
I know a lot of other patients with chronic infections and swollen lymph nodes... Not one has had a biopsy.
Its been effective to blood test and find the root cause infection(s) and treat them with antivirals, antibiotics, and immunomodulators.
You might also have your inmunoglobulins and NK cells measured to see how your immune system is working.
Are your parents on the case or are you dealing with this yourself?
I'd show them these replies and get them to insist with the Dr, may help.
Yes they are, just wanted to get some unbiased advice. I will also show them the replies
I'd go along with all the advice above ... it could be something like Lyme or Epstein Barr; both can knock you out for ages. They've very likely already eliminated the worst case scenario with the initial blood tests, don't worry - GPs check those, but that doesn't mean they should give up looking into other causes as you won't get a lot of sympathy for your lack of energy from school / classes / employers unless you've been given a firm diagnosis.
Have your doctor look for herpes family viruses... Epstein Barr, cytomegalovirus, HHV6, HHV7, zoster, etc. Also enteroviruses, Lyme and coinfections. And chlamydia and mycoplasma pneumoniae. And have your immunoglobulins checked..
Hiya, Probably better to reply to the op. x
ok
I will make sure to do that. thank you!!
I will be sure to do that. Thank you !
Check your environment to rule out carbon monoxide build up.
Ok, I will. Thanks
Test also for mononucleosis, very common in teenagers.
Mononucleosis is typically caused by Epstein Barr or cytomegalovitus, both of which can be chronic, recurrent infections that most doctors would miss.
Oh man that sounds bad. I'll make them do a thorough check for anything irregular.
Ok, I will. Thanks
I just looked these up on line and copy pasted, but I have almost all of these symptoms. I'm pretty sure this is what I have. What do you think?
Hyperthyroidism
Also called: overactive thyroid
ABOUT
SYMPTOMS
TREATMENTS
Requires a medical diagnosis
Symptoms include unexpected weight loss, rapid or irregular heartbeat, sweating, and irritability, although the elderly often experience no symptoms.
People may experience:
Whole body: excess sweating, excessive hunger, fatigue, heat intolerance, or restlessness
Heart: abnormal heart rhythm, fast heart rate, or palpitations
Sleep: difficulty falling asleep or insomnia
Menstrual: irregular menstruation or short and light menstruation
Behavioral: hyperactivity or irritability
Mood: mood swings or panic attack
Eyes: abnormal protrusion of eyes or puffy eyes
Also common: weight loss, diarrhea, hair loss, muscle weakness, nervousness, tremor, or warm skin
It could be. Sounds like thyroid is in addition to your immune system issues.
oK. I'm going to the doctor tomorrow so hopefully she can figure it out.
How are you? I also have swollen lymph nodes behind my ear for 7 months.
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