Thyroid cyst?

[vickibee]

Found a small, marble size lump lower neck and doc says it is likely to be a thyroid cyst, took blood test for thyroxine levels and referred me to hospital for a scan.
Has anyone else got this? I am panicking as I googled it and it said in a few cases it could be cancer but I am trying not to think about that.
What causes it and how is it treated. My doc was very vague and rushed me out to see the next patient as they were very behind?

The most common cause of thyroid cysts is a benign adenoma, which is a tumour but is, as the name suggests, not malignant. Obviously the possibility of cancer is there, but IIRC only about 4% of thyroid nodules turn out to be malignant. It can often be caused by an overactive thyroid gland which is secreted too much thyroid hormone. In that case, medical management would be a medication to suppress thyroid stimulating hormone being produced. Try not to worry for the time being, and stay away from Google! Nobody on the Internet can give you 100% accurate information about your case, only generalisations, and so you are far better waiting to hear from the GP or hospital.

Hope you get some answers soon.

Thanks Wolf, If it is a benign adenoma are you stuck with it for ever or can they go away on thier own / with treatment?
My Mum has a thyroid problem too and is on medication so maybe it is genetic?

They can be removed surgically, however that can sometimes result in low levels of thyroid hormones as the thyroid gland may be damaged in the surgery. I don't know about any genetic link, that's definitely a question for your GP. They will be able to tell you more once the bloods and scan are completed, hopefully that won't be too long for you.

About three weeks til I get a hospital appointment