Enlarged thyroid ?

[oneoldmare]

The last few weeks I have felt like someone has tied a string around my throat.
It feels restrictive and uncomfortable but not painful and doesn't effect breathing or anything.
It started happening once or twice a day but now happens almost all the time.
I don't feel ill at all, not tired or hyper, none of the other symptoms of thyroid problems.
I went to the doctors today and she said that my thyroid was enlarged and she can feel a 'mass'.
I had to have blood tests today although she feels hyper or hypo thyroidism is unlike as no other symptoms.
I have to wait for a letter to go for a scan.
Has anyone had an enlarged thyroid without having hyper or hypothyroidism?
What was the problem? Easily solved?
I'm not a worrier but admit to be a little concerned as to what this could be?

I have recently been diagnosed (12mnths ago) with a thyroid cyst with thyroid nodules. Similar symptoms to you and ultrasound confirmed it was a cyst.I have had a couple of biopsies which were OK.
The plan was to drain it but this hasn't been possible. I had some bleeding into the cyst recently so I have now opted to have surgery to remove part of the thyroid.
The vast majority of swellings are benign nodules with/without cysts that can be left or simply drained. I was unlucky that mine is a complex cyst that can't be drained. I was happy to leave it as it had been stable, but when the cyst doubled in size overnight it was very uncomfortable.
Try not to worry. The ultrasound exam usually gives them a good idea what is causing the swelling and they tend to fast track thyroid swellings so you get results quickly.
I have had no problems with thyroid hormones. I am also under an endocrinologist for a long standing pituitary problem ( not linked to thyroid). So he has kept tabs on thyroid levels which are normal.

The British thyroid foundation can be very helpful and there's a list of volunteers you can ring, with a code as to their personal experience (ie choose who to ring according to their experience).

I have found them very helpful.

thank you both for the replies.
Just a waiting game now until the scan, I guess.
Hopefully it won't be too long a wait.

i have an enlarged thyroid and like you am aware of it's taking up space inside my throat

i have been offered surgery to remove it - twice.

first time was 40 odd years ago-obv i declined. the second time was last year and i have declined again.
so am planning to continue living with it- maybe not going to get another 40 years tho .

amarmai, do they know what has caused your enlarged thyroid?
Was there a reason for you refusing surgery? Is it because you don't want to have to take medication for the rest of your life.
Has it grown more over the years or just remained the same size?
Hope you don't mind all the questions.
Seem to be thinking about it constantly at the minute, I think just because I'm constantly aware that its there and uncomfortable.

stress caused it 40+ years ago . Yes it has enlarged but this is not unusual. The 1st time i refused i was backed up by 2 other thyroid specialists who agreed no operation needed and since my thyroid has continued to function just fine for the 40+ years since then = proof of the pudding. The 2nd time i was 'offered/pushed ' again i got another opinion - again no op. Didn't bother with a tie breaker this time- trusted my own judgement and the results of the blood tests . Also did some reading and thyroid operations are 1 of the ops done unnecessarily . Agree it's on the front burner when the 'expert' has ordered you to do what s/he says. My advice - do not do what i say as you have to get your own 2nd/3rd opinions and do your own research. i did have cysts drained 1st time. You cyst sounds more serious tho.