Swollen lump in throat

[crashdoll]

I have a swollen lump in my throat. It's a bit sore. It does make swallowing difficult and I do lose my voice quite frequently because of it.

My self-diagnosis is Rheumatoid Arthritis of the cricoarytenoid joint - not the most common of problems. I had similar symptoms a couple of years ago - although less severe - and my rheumatologist mumbled "maybe" when I asked if it was an RA issue.

I finally get around to seeing my GP who thinks it's a thyroid problem and I have a blood test booked next week. If it is my thyroid, does this mean I definitley have some sort of thyroid problem?

[frazzledbutcalm]

Yes. It could be underactive or overactive. Tablets usually control the problem with blood tests every 6 months to ensure levels are correct and adjust tablets accordingly. The lump is probably a goiter, associated with the thyroid problem. Sometimes these go away once the thyroid levels are corrected with medication, sometimes they need to be removed by surgery.

[narmada]

It might also be a very large or awkwardly placed thyroid nodule. These are really common and don't mean you have any form of thyroid disease. Best wait for the blood test results and I am sure they will send you off for an ultrasound or something?

[crashdoll]

Thanks for the replies. It was the thought of possibly needing more medication that was worrying. I'm on 10 different kinds and they all come with side effects - some worse than the actual condition itself. Fingers crossed all will be fine!