swollen thyroid but perfect thyroid function?

[TheArmadillo]

Had blood tests to check thyroid function as my thyroid is swollen.

Results today came back as perfect thyroid function - not even slightly under or over active. Also shows no problem with iron or similar. Also had urine test (to check for infection) no sign of infection. According to tests I am perfectly healthy. But my thyroid is swollen.

Dr has requested an ultrasound but says they don't know what other options there are.

I had an ultrasound for a swollen thyroid about a decade ago but don't remember it (definitely didn't get medicated for it) and dr couldn't find record of the outcome as it was so long ago. I also remember having a ultrasound on my neck as a child (maybe 8-9 years before that). I have a family history of hypothyroidism. And I go through phases of my neck being swollen more often than not but I don't usually go to the drs.

I know I need to wait for the scan now, apparently as it's not something they regularly refer for they don't know how long it will take. I want to ask for a referral to a specialist if they don't know after the scan. Does this seem reasonable? The only suggestion the dr had was to possibly look at removing part of the thyroid if it stays swollen, however that is likely to have an effect on thyroid function.

Anyone come across this before? My neck hurts, it's affecting my hearing, my throat keeps getting sore and I feel like shit. I am not prepared to just carry on feeling like this.

I don't know what the actual test results were. Is this something I can find out by calling the drs (reception).

Everything I have read, and what the dr said originally, is that a swollen thyroid is caused by thyroid not functioning properly - but that is not what the results showed.

Never accept that any blood test is 'normal'.

Go back to our surgery and ask for a print out of all the results of your recent tests, together with the reference ranges. This is your data and you are entitled to it.

To be good, your TSH needs to be around 1 and your FT4 in the top 25% of the range. If you have a family history, your GP should also have checked TPO and TgAB to see if you have auto immune thyroid disease.

You have a swollen thyroid (not for the first time),symptoms and a family history. You look statistically like an ideal candidate for Hashimoto's Disease.

Come and join us on the support thread. We'll get you sorted.

Thanks. I can't get to the drs until next weekend so will call during the week and see if they can post them out.

Can you do alink to the thyroid support thread?

I have an enlarged thyroid. I had an ultrasound scan which showed them nothing except for an enlarged thyroid. I also had normal blood test results. I saw an endocrinologist who agreed my levels are normal and said that sometimes they are just enlarged.

I also have an enlarged thyroid that after many many tests, many many times,is, apparently, just an enlarged thyroid.

Dont you need a biopsy?

My sister has a biopsy each year to check whether hers is benign or cancerous. Hers hurt, is "in the way", she has a sore throat, needs to clear her throat a lot. They drain fluid out of it and she is ok for a while, and then it "fills up" again. Hers needs to be removed now.

I had a huge swollen thyroid which turned out to be a benign lump in it. My thyroid function was totally fine. They biopsied it and then removed half my thyroid as it was a significant lump, but nothing to worry about. Definitely ask for a biopsy if you can. I also get fluid filling up in the other side but nothing significant. Hope this helps. X

Thanks for these.

The next step I think is to get a copy of my test results and wait for the scan.

Then push for a referral to a endocrinologist. My bf and her dh have both seen several of these in our area and she said all of them were good. She has pernicious anaemia and he has graves disease.

I don't feel well at all on top of the swollen thyroid so I am not letting this go. I can't go on like this. Hashimotos seems to fit.

Thought I would update.

Neck has swollen up considerably, lost my voice in a few hours and having problems swollowing.

Spent this afternoon at ENT clinic. They are not sure if it is my thyroid or what it is. Have had a scope down my nose, more blood tests (including repeats of the ones I've had previously). Am now waiting for ultrasound of my neck and they'll biopsy anything odd, and a biopsy of the back of my nose under general anaesthetic - both in the next 2 weeks.

If I can no longer swallow any food I will be admitted to hospital. Feeling crappy but not down any more as being treated as urgent. They are testing for everything they can think of as still not sure. Hopefully will be getting an answer and feeling better soon.

Good luck armadillo, hope they come up with a diagnosis for you.

Thank you :)

My full thyroid function tests were perfectly normal. The ultrasound showed one huge nodule that looked ok. Got to the stage I could hardly swallow and it was affecting my breathing. It had to come out. Diagnosis was follicular adenoma on its way to follicular carcinoma.....

Was admitted to hospital yesterday. Hopefully having ultrasound plus biopsy today or tomorrow. At least all is moving forwards.

Have a lot of swelling but they don't know why it's affecting my voice or swallowing.

If one more person wants to stick a scope thing down my nose though I will cry. 4 times in 2 days and it hurts.

Luckily my breathing is completely unaffected and not in pain.

I am exactly the same OP. I am seeing a specialist on Tuesday. I have other symptoms that may or may not be related, dizziness etc. I've had thyroid bloods done twice, once they were lower than they should be, the next time they were within normal range but very low.

I had an ultrasound of thyroid because mine is enlarged. They found 2 cysts on it but that's all I know so far. My doctor referred me so we will see what they say next week when I go.

Hope your specialist appointment went ok today.

My thyroid is being overshadowed by other more urgent health problems at the moment unfortunately. Have had ultrasound that showed thyroid as 'normal' but not sure if this means swollen but no cysts or anything else or not swollen.

However they don't think it is related to the other health problems I am having.

You are going through a lot OP, I hope things improve soon, must be bloody miserable for you. I hope your other health issues get sorted out and you are not suffering too much.

My specialist isn't convinced I have a thyroid problem, he thinks it is functioning ok. Imdomhave two cysts on my thyrois and he has ordered lots of bloods and other tests for me and wants to do another ultrasound of my thyroid to measure it.

So I am no further forward but really feel as though the specialist listened and is going to get the ball rolling to see what is wrong with me and causing me to feel so crappy.