Different doc now thinking my lump isn't thyroid. - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

140,948 members166,084 posts

Different doc now thinking my lump isn't thyroid.

MrsButler profile image
10 Replies

I'm not currently diagnosed with anything, I have a lump in my throat that will be being scanned in a few weeks. Previous posts has my medichecks results. Doc had suggestedthyroid / goitre

I was at the doc's for another matter today (broken out in hives over the weekend and my lips swelled up) and she had a look at my lump too.

She thinks it is too high up my neck to be the thyroid. It is in the top part of my neck, slightly to the side and above my voice box.

So I guess I'll just have to be patient and wait for my scan. Not finding that easy.

Can an enlarged thyroid be present higher the neck to anyone's knowledge?

Thanks

Written by
MrsButler profile image
MrsButler
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
10 Replies
helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator

The thyroid gland is usually, as you will know, towards the lower front of the neck. But there are many examples of either the whole thyroid gland, or at least some thyroid tissue, being in the wrong place.

One example is a lingual thyroid. During development, the thyroid gland starts off higher and descends to its usual location. But in some people it remains, wholly or partially, in the back of the tongue.

Thyroids can also grow nodules which can extend in any direction from the orignal gland. These can be mistaken for other glands or lumps.

I'd far rather write something reassuring and helpful but, truth is, anything other than a scan is a guess.

Just found a drawing of possible locations of what is called ectopic thyroid: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK5...

You might find several people suggest that hives are NOT unrelated.

Just today someone else ( greygoose ) mentioned allergy/intolerance when hypothyroid, but not now.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply tohelvella

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

MrsButler profile image
MrsButler in reply tohelvella

Thank you. It wouldn't surprise me at all if my thyroid is in the wrong place. My appendix was, and it had me mis-diagnosed for years until it burst.

Think that's why I'm so anxious about this lump - my past experience of getting a proper diagnosis is terrible.

Gingersnap202 profile image
Gingersnap202 in reply tohelvella

Well, that is my new thing learned for the day! ... Never knew that the thyroid could put out "satellite" tissue!

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Hives is often linked to Hashimoto's (autoimmune thyroid disease)

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

verywellhealth.com/thyroid-...

Can see you have had negative antibodies results

20% of Hashimoto's patients never have raised antibodies so scan should be helpful

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

MrsButler profile image
MrsButler in reply toSlowDragon

Thank you

Julesboz profile image
Julesboz

Hi there, as other people have said, a scan is the only way to tell. I went to the doctors with a lump in my neck convinced it was my thyroid and my GP told me categorically that it wasn’t connected to my thyroid, poo poo- d my suggestion it was thyroid related, and sent me for an urgent scan telling me she had no idea what it was. It turns out it was a large benign nodule on my thyroid (surprise surprise) which I’ve since had removed.

Gingersnap202 profile image
Gingersnap202 in reply toJulesboz

Sometimes, they will resolve on their own, if you get properly treated for low thyroid. I had a nodule the size of my thumb on my thyroid. With proper treatment for hypothyroid, it resolved. ........... I just now decided to see if I can still feel it. With a lot of palpation, I can detect it. It is the size of a pea. I was told 20 years ago that I should have it removed. I didn't want to do that, so got a second opinion and decided to leave it alone.

Julesboz profile image
Julesboz in reply toGingersnap202

Unfortunately my doctors wouldn’t accept I have a thyroid problem (my results are always ‘in range’) so I’ve never been treated and my nodule was 4cm * 3.5cm and was causing an obstruction so I had no choice but to have it removed. I still think I’ve got mild hypothyroidism as my T3 is always low in the range and my TSH is always around 2 or 3. I had the op 4 weeks ago and am waiting to see if my thyroid function has improved.

HashiFedUp profile image
HashiFedUp

I have a goitre and my thyroid takes up the entirety of my throat when it’s at it most swollen - well that’s what it feels like anyway! Try not to worry chances are it’s just a goitre - I e if you have under active thyroid. I’ve learned with Hashimoto’s/health to Take each day as it comes. Try not to worry about anything until it happens. You’ll be fine I’m sure.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Feeling of lump in throat causing constriction - scan shows *very* small thyroid nodules which doc says can't cause this. Any ideas?

Hi guys! I'm undiagnosed as far as thyroid problems go (trying to get a referral to an endo from my...
CarolineC57 profile image

Trouble swallowing and lump in throat - 5 weeks now

Can anyone help? Has anyone had this and what helped? I really don't think it's anxiety. The gp...
BeckieC profile image

Thyroiditis, Doc suspects Hashimoto's - what should I expect? Was your thyroid lump painful?

Hey everyone, I'm pretty new here. I had posted a couple months ago because my hair had been...
lyssahblue profile image

Possible thyroid issues - Doc has referred me to the ENT dept.

Just saw my dr this morning re possible thyroid issues (mild lump feeling in throat/voice becomming...

Sudden high thyroid hormones - no symptoms other than a lump and very itchy rash

Posting for a friend. She has had Rheumatoid Arthritis for a number of years and was doing very...
MiniMum97 profile image

Moderation team

See all
PurpleNails profile image
PurpleNailsAdministrator
SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator
RedApple profile image
RedAppleAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.