Swollen Lymph nodes

[JCMartin]

Are swollen Lymph nodes as symptom of Hashimotos? My neck seems to be getting bigger. They phone ref my ultrasound today and said i had swollen lymph nodes and 2 small nodules on my Thyroid. Only 2mm. They said they were taking me off 2WW for cancer but i still have this strange feeling about it. Maybe im just being paranoid? Hopefully my meds will help shortly only day 2.

[FallingInReverse]

Are they swollen lymph nodes, and/or just a swollen thyroid area you are noticing?

The day I was diagnosed - after 7 years of symptoms but “normal “ bloods - my doctor stood across the room and said - “you have a nodule/I can see it from here.”

Since then I would stare at my neck in a mirror from a distance and had absolutely no idea how he knew/ what he saw. I couldn’t see anything at all.

Recently I finally get it - the whole front part of my neck, right where the thyroid is exactly, the entire area is swollen/slightly puffy/raised. For me, it’s not like I see a small lump or anything. Just the whole area.

Also re to the growths (goiter? Nodules? I still don’t know the word for it) but in the US, 2 centimeters is the tipping point for taking action. Mine has been at 1.9 cm for a couple years since my first ultrasound. So they just keep doing annual ultrasounds for now.

Ps, a slight edit re my reply above. I do see your doctor said lymph nodes in particular… so I too look forward to others’ replies. I’m just sharing that in my experience, my nodules and swollen neck have been monitored since I was diagnosed and although of course something to understand and watch, it is not something I worry about generally.

[radd]

JCMartin,

Yes, lymph nodes contain B and T cells (and other) collectively known as lymphocytes (white blood cells) and it is this part of the immune system that infiltrates the thyroid gland to self-attack healthy tissue (as in an autoimmune Hashi attack).

During an attack everyone gets elevated levels of lymphocytes but not everyone gets the enlarged lymph nodes. I spent a great deal of my youth experiencing not just painful, swollen neck glands but under arms and groin area too. I missed a huge amount of school as Hashi was so completely misunderstood then.

Once optimally medicated with thyroid hormone replacement meds, activity in the thyroid gland reduces and attacks tend to lessen. If you haven’t read ‘The Root Cause’ by Isabella Wentz, I would strongly recommend it.

[JCMartin in reply to radd]

Thank you, i will give it a read. Thats put my mind at rest. I will wait for the meds to work. On 25mill for 2 weeks then 50. So i assume when its 50 i will srart to improve.

[Litatamon]

Did you point out that you have high b12 levels & you do not supplement? When we have to go from one medical professional to another these things often get lost in the shuffle.

[JCMartin]

Thanks. Yes might be worth mentioning. I have also had low Lymphocites, Neutrophils and red and white blood. Keep going out of range which is why i first started worrying ref cancer. All low. Cant get in at the docters though. Shall i mention to the Endo?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to JCMartin]

High B12 when not supplementing can be linked to being hypothyroid

known as Paradoxical B12 deficiency

b12oils.com/paradoxical.htm...

what was your most recent folate result?

What vitamin supplements are you taking

[JCMartin in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi, im not taking any supplements. My folic acid was 11.5 if thats the same? I have high B12.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to JCMartin]

What’s the range on folic acid (folate)

[Litatamon in reply to JCMartin]

Sorry JC, missed your reply. Yes mention it to your endocrinologist. Anyone you see medically & see what they say.

SlowDragon gave some wonderful information, as usual.

All the best to you.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

previous post with vitamin results

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Ferritin is virtually deficient at 33

B vitamins

Folate - Serum 11.5 ug/L (3.9 - 26.83) 33.1%

B12 high …as you aren’t supplementing this could be Paradoxical B12 deficiency…..when can’t use B12 because other B vitamins are low

Hypothyroid patients frequently low in B1 (thiamine)

Likely to benefit from daily vitamin B complex

However only add or change one thing at a time

At moment you only just started Levo

Wait at least 2-4 weeks before considering adding a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in (not folic acid)

This can help keep all B vitamins in balance

Difference between folate and folic acid

healthline.com/nutrition/fo...

Many Hashimoto’s patients have MTHFR gene variation and can have trouble processing folic acid.

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

B vitamins best taken after breakfast

Thorne Basic B recommended vitamin B complex that contains folate, but they are large capsules. (You can tip powder out if can’t swallow capsule)

Thorne currently difficult to find at reasonable price, should be around £20-£25. iherb.com often have in stock. Or try ebay

Igennus B complex popular option too. Nice small tablets. Most people only find they need one per day.

Suggest starting on just half or 1/4 of a tablet initially

But a few people find it’s not high enough dose

Post discussing different B complex

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

In week before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate folate supplement (eg Jarrow methyl folate 400mcg)

Post discussing how biotin can affect test results

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...

[JCMartin in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks thats really helpful