Thyroid nodules

Hello. I was told that I have several thyroid nodules. One is about 1.5cm, has a TI-RADS risk category of TR 4 - moderately suspicious. The other is about 1cm and has a risk category of TR 5 - highly suspicious. An FNB was not done because the doctor said the nodule was too close to a major artery or something (the carotid, I think). My bloodwork is ok, but I've noticed that my lymph nodes are a little tender when touched, for example, if I'm lying on my side at night. I am very nervous about this especially since I'm not getting any information from my doctor and haven't been back due to the COVID-19 restrictions. Has anyone else dealt with something like this that can provide some advice?

[BeachStroller99]

Hi Chgoangel,

I would definitely chase up more information from your doctor, and ask about their proposed treatment plan. Are you lymph nodes swollen as well as tender? Have you mentioned the sore lymph nodes to the doctor?

I definitely don't want to be alarmist but if your lymph nodes are swollen, and you have suspicious nodules it may need further investigation.

There are many innocent reasons why your lymph nodes may be tender, but in light of the suspicious nodules, its worth checking out.

Our hospital now has a specialist neck clinic for just such things, where you can be checked quickly and either reassured that it's fine, or treated on a fast track. You may have something similar near you?

I also have nodules about the same size as yours, and fortunately they turned out to be benign. The lady that did my ultrasound said that probably 50% of all ladies of a certain age (I'm in that category, not sure about you....) have nodules but are unaware of them, and if those 90% are benign - so the odds are in your favour!

[Hidden in reply to BeachStroller99]

Hi BeachStroller99, yes my lymph nodes are also swollen and I did mention it to both the doctor and the person that was going to do the FNB, but was pretty much ignored. I don’t know what to do next since I’m not getting any information and don’t want to jump from doctor to doctor because I can’t afford it. I’m constantly taking OTC pain medications, but it’s just frustrating now.

[Lora7again]

I have a multinodular goiter and sometimes my lymph glands feel swollen.

Do you have any recent blood results to share? We need the TSH, T4 and T3 also any antibody results you might have. I think having nodules can sometimes cause symptoms because mine certainly have. Luckily over the last 10 years none of my nodules have got any bigger but I do have regular ultrasounds to monitor them.

[Hidden in reply to Lora7again]

I was able to find my TSH results which is 2.202 uIU/mL. I couldn't find my exact T3 & T4 level results but I was told they were normal.

[Lora7again in reply to Hidden]

How do you feel at the moment?

[Hidden in reply to Lora7again]

I'm ok, a little tired but that's because I didn't sleep well last night. Having some pain in my neck (lymph nodes) and also feeling a little pressure in my neck, especially when I swallow. Otherwise, I'm ok.

[Hidden]

Hi JaneyJaney, no, I'm in Chicago, Illinois in the US. They're saying they can't do an FNA because the nodule is too close to my common carotid artery and they're afraid of causing damage.

[Hidden]

Yes, I have several but they only wanted to do the FNA on the “highly suspicious” one. I’ll keep looking for support groups and everything here in the US but am hesitant about getting another specialist to deal with this as health care is extremely expensive here. Thank you so much for your help. 😊

[Hidden]

Yes, for a lot of things, they do more watch and wait, like you mentioned, I'm concerned about not having the FNA done as the doctor said it was too close to the common carotid artery. The nodule was picked up on previous ultrasounds and has gotten larger, but this with my lymph nodes being swollen and painful is something new. I'll give the doctor a call to try and get some straight information and direction because it's causing me some stress.