Morning, lovely people! I’m a 22 year old female with an upcoming ultrasound as my dr suspects nodules on my thyroid and so i’m on the hunt for some advice/info!
Has anyone had any similar experience with nodules in the middle of the thyroid (isthmus)?
I have some questions about nodules:
1. Could it be felt by hand?
2. How big was it? Did it take up the whole middle section?
3. Could you see it when swallowing?
4. Was your nodule benign or malignant?
5. Did it feel hard or soft?
6. Is it common to have nodules on both lobes as well as the isthmus?
What were your other symptoms? I also have 2 kidney bean sized lymph nodes behind the strap muscle on the right side & a lump ON my adams apple (which dr said could be unrelated) All of those lumps are painless. I get a tightness feeling around that area, and seem to always collect saliva back there too. Also get a dry cough followed by gagging as it takes hardly anything to set my reflex off nowadays.
Context: Have been checked previously for different types of infections like sinus, flu covid… all of the above and nothing had come of any of it.
Thanks in advance and good luck on your thyroid journeys 👍🤍
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Unconventionalbutter
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Thyroid nodules are are very common, half of older people will have them.
Some nodules can be felt externally, but small ones or ones located deep or behind the front area of thyroid can go hidden.
Most nodules are under 1 cm & do not concern doctors. Over 1cm are often given a fine needle aspiration.
The thyroid moves up & down with swallowing but should not be visible. If thyroid is swollen or a nodule is attached to thyroid, the action of swallowing can make it obvious.
Years ago after 2 doctors sent me away saying my neck look fine. I was at an appointment with nurse & I asked her to look at my neck when I drink water, I had taken a bottle with me.
When you tip you head back & gulp any swelling can sometimes become more evident. I was immediately sent for bloods and referred for an ultrasound scan.
The scan revealed a benign but large 5cm colloid nodule which was noted covered the isthmus - the entire middle of my neck is swollen, but it’s off centre as is from the left lobe.
The FNA showed it is a benign nodule and nothing else was done. I returned about 9 months later as my swallowing was feeling affected & the doctor said your function results have not been done. Other blood test had come back but not thyroid function.
After further investigation it turned out the nodule was hyper functioning and I had high thyroid levels. When I later went back through old medical records I had increasing level for over 4 years & it had been missed.
The nodule is harder that rest of neck but has a slight squish to it & has a definite edge.
I have a solitary nodule but multiple nodules across entire thyroid is common too.
I can have a tightness feeling & the description of saliva collecting - that too.
I’ve also had salivary gland inflammation, Submandibular gland under jaw became swollen like a wobbly bouncy ball. Doctors seemed unaware but it was likely caused by the thyroid lowering medication. It was scanned 2x but it resolved.
I had other symptoms related to high thyroid levels but they developed very gradually. I had an insane appetite, low energy. Which cased weight gain, the majority lose weight. I have an increase in migraines when levels are high & at one stage my finger nail began lifting off the nail bed.
ENT will be looking at thyroid from surgical viewpoint, is this nodule malignant or causing a physical issues. You must also ensure that the function has been checked. ENT will assume GP or Endocrinologist will be dealing with hormone levels.
TSH, FT4, FT3. TPO & TG antibodies. TSI & TRab if TSH low or FT4 / FT3 high.
Also important to check folate, ferritin, B12 & Vitamin D.
Add any results you have with lab range. Ranges vary between labs.
Summary
1. Could it be felt by hand? A) Yes
2. How big was it? Did it take up the whole middle section? A) 5cm centre left
3. Could you see it when swallowing? A) Yes
4. Was your nodule benign or malignant? A) Benign but hyper functioning.
5. Did it feel hard or soft? A) Hard
6. Is it common to have nodules on both lobes as well as the isthmus? A)Multiple nodules is more common that solitary nodules.
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