Lump on thyroid? Is it cancer?

[Sharon1231]

Hi there I also have a lump in this area . The GP said it looks superficial but has still done a two week referral to an ENT which has terrified me. It's pea sized about 6mm hard and does move somewhat. Any ideas as I'm terrified it's cancer. I have no other symptoms whatsoever

[Sparklingsunshine]

HiPlease don't worry unduly, before I got diagnosed as hypothyroid I had some troubling symptoms, breathlessness on exertion, most unlike me as I 'm normally pretty fit and active. I got sent for an chest x Ray which showed a pleural effusion, a small collection of fluid on my lung.

I'd mentioned difficulty swallowing and got put on the cancer pathway. I was cr***ing myself but my GP explained that if they don't do it you can wait for months as its classed as non urgent.

I had a CT scan which didn't show anything and as the swallowing problem quickly rectified itself I declined the endoscopy. I didn't want an invasive procedure unless absolutely necessary.

A few months later I got diagnosed as hypothyroid and my symptoms cleared up. As I said they have to err on the side of caution and also if they don't make it urgent you will have a long wait.

[Sharon1231 in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

Hi thanks so much for your comment. I've had hypothyroidism since birth I probably should have mentioned that haha. Do you think it could be to do with that?

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to Sharon1231]

Hi

Sorry I've never had nodules so a not the best person to ask 😀

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Are you already diagnosed as hypothyroid?

Are you on levothyroxine

If yes, how much and how long at this dose

Nodules are very common, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto’s, usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies or by ultrasound scan

GP could/should organise an ultrasound scan of thyroid, if not already had one

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested.

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis. Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.

In U.K. medics never call it Hashimoto’s, just autoimmune thyroid disease (and they usually ignore the autoimmune aspect)

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally before 9am last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options and money off codes

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

[Sharon1231 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi Yes been on levothyroxine since I was about 5, I'm now 30.

I take 125 mg and that does has been adjusted up and down to 100mg over the years but been on 125 mg probs for the last 3.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Sharon1231]

Modern obsession with under dosing can lead to vitamin deficiencies and Low FT3

Always test thyroid levels early morning, ideally before 9am and last dose Levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Do you always get same brand Levothyroxine at each prescription

Most important results are always FT3 followed by Ft4

TSH is often suppressed when adequately treated

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

When were vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 last tested

On Levothyroxine we need OPTIMAL vitamin levels always