Neck mass

[PastaPrincess52]

Hi guys,I am new to this site and was wondering if anyone can tell me if a person can have graves disease even I f blood test at doctors came back as normal.am waiting to see an endocrinologist but was surprised when there was no mention of graves disease.my ultrasound showed a neck mass on right of neck and need to have it biopsied .

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Well, that is difficult to answer without knowing which precise test(s) were done!

The definitive test for Graves is usually regarded as TSI (Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin) - which actually stimulates excess thyroid hormone secretion and release. TRab (TSH receptor antibody) is also pretty good but there can be questions if the person is not suffering very obvious hyperthyroid symptoms but this comes back positive.

A neck mass can occur with several issues other than Graves. Including Hashimoto's thyroiditis and multinodular goitre,

Most often, we see members with Graves posting about hyperthyroid symptoms. Though various forms of goitre are also mentioned.

If you know the test(s), and the results, and the reference intervals (ranges), please do post them.

If not, now would be a good time to request them from your GP. If you have an NHS app, or similar, you might be able to access them directly from that. If not, probably best to ask a receptionist who should print them out for you.

[pennyannie]

Hello PastaPrincess and welcome to the from :

If Graves Antibodies were found over range and positive in your blood test results that is the medical evidence of having this auto immune disease.

These would like either a TRab or TSI with ranges and readings - or wording such as a thyroid TSH Receptor antibody alongside range and number -

There are other antibodies that may also be circulating in your blood and are written as a TPO or Tgab - indicative of Hashimoto's another AI disease - but treatment for Graves takes precedence.

You should see a low suppressed TSH at around 0,01 - as currently your immune system is now very much in control of the TSH at this point in time -

and you should also see readings for a Free T3 and Free T4 and ranges.

[PurpleNails Administrator]

I had a one sided thyroid swelling & was cleared as benign after Fine Needle Aspiration (biopsy). I called & doubled checked the blood test were normal & assured they were. 8 months later it turned out thyroid function hasn’t been processed & no one had noticed.

The level were hyper, the nodule was over producing but I don’t have autoimmune (TRab or TSI antibodies).

If you have hyperthyroid levels (High FT4 / FT3) drs often treat as Graves, or worse, drs go by low TSH, without confirming if transient from Hashimoto’s or non autoimmune.

Get a copy of your results & post what’s been tested.