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Original poster

Swollen thyroid - ultrasound tomorrow

18 replies

HeyMacWey · 08/02/2016 16:56

As the title suggests I have a swollen thyroid (right side only) approx 10 x 5cm.
Blood tests for thyroid levels are all in range so the ultrasound is to check for anything untoward. Although I'm not sure what 'untoward' is? Cancer?

I'm going to the appt alone - if there is anything there would they tell me there and then or send the results to my gp?

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alicemalice · 08/02/2016 17:03

Could just be nodules on your thyroid, which is common with Hashimotos thyrdoitis.

Mine told me I had nodules there and then but they were nothing to worry about (benign).

Original poster
HeyMacWey · 08/02/2016 17:10

Thank you - would my thyroid results be normal if I had hashimoto's?

I also have cfs/me but am half hoping that it's actually thyroid related as at least then there is treatment rather than the cfs/me which just left largely ignored.

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alicemalice · 08/02/2016 17:20

Not sure, mine was underactive.

But I hear thyroid levels can jump around in someone with Hashimotos. So you only get a snapshot when you have the blood test.

Willdoitinaminute · 08/02/2016 22:41

Could be thyroid cyst. Usually appear suddenly and feel round and smooth. Nodules are hard and lumpy. Cysts are generally result of bleeding from a nodule. Cyst can be drained but if it recurs may need part of thyroid removed. Normally functioning thyroid a can become modular and cystic so blood tests are normal.
Do not Google until you have results from ultrasound to avoid panic!

Original poster
HeyMacWey · 08/02/2016 22:55

Thanks - it does feel smooth and is the exact shape of the thyroid gland. It did come on suddenly about 2 months ago.
No pain or discomfort.
I will avoid googling.

OP posts:
Original poster
HeyMacWey · 09/02/2016 12:04

It is a cyst. Thank you Dr mumsnet Grin
They're going to write to my gp then I assume they'll make a decision to drain.

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Willdoitinaminute · 09/02/2016 20:37

That's good news. I was diagnosed with a cyst 12 months ago, unfortunately it was a colloid cyst (filled with jelly like substance) so they were unable to drain it successfully. This is extremely unusual so hopefully you have one of the easy fluid filled cysts!
I initially opted to leave mine since it was symptomless and not visible unfortunately it haemorrhaged and I had the right half of my thyroid removed just before Christmas. It has healed brilliantly and I have had no complications. I still have some swelling under the scar but this will go over the next few months. The scar is amazing considering it's only 7 wks since surgery. Although it's major surgery it's very routine for ENT surgeons so if you do end up with surgical option don't worry.

Original poster
HeyMacWey · 09/02/2016 21:04

Glad your surgery went well. How did they find out that it was a colloid cyst? When they went to drain it?
Mine is quite visible on my throat (to me - not sure if other people would notice straight away) so I'd really like it gone.

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Willdoitinaminute · 09/02/2016 22:34

Yep, the radiologist tried to drain it and nothing happened. She was able to do biopsy of the nodules to confirm they were benign. I had to have two biopsy so 6 months apart, but then had the bleed. I saw my ENT consultant as an emergency and he was able to drain some of the blood to relieve the pressure (I did have a fair bit of discomfort with the bleed) it was at this point he decided removal was better option.

Original poster
HeyMacWey · 10/02/2016 11:01

I was just hoping a nurse could drain it at the surgery Blush.

Glad you're all sorted now.

OP posts:
Worriedbell10 · 19/11/2018 02:39

I have a similar thing. Just wondering if yours felt hard as well as smooth?

Original poster
HeyMacWey · 21/11/2018 13:21

Here's the lump. It's now hard and still smooth.
I think it's hard because it's really full of fluid. When I went to have another ultrasound they didn't want to fna in case it filled up again even bigger.

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tuscanrose · 23/11/2018 13:10

Poor you heymacwey! that is a big one. Mine is a bit smaller but also rather large. I've had several FNAs and I do find that they get bigger afterwards. Mine is currently 2 weeks post-FNA and feeling very big and uncomfortable.
Unfortunately cyst drainage rarely works on thyroid cysts - they just re-fill. It's a really annoying predicament.

Original poster
HeyMacWey · 23/11/2018 13:24

Thanks @tuscanrose They're going to do about partial thyroidectomy now as it's pressing on my windpipe and making swallowing rather tricky.

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tuscanrose · 23/11/2018 13:47

Good luck heymacwey - I'm sure you'll feel much better afterwards and luckily most people who have a hemi don't need to rely on thyroid medication afterwards. I'm sure I'll be going down the same route soon enough x

Original poster
HeyMacWey · 23/11/2018 14:04

Yes, it's taken a couple of years to get here. Hope yours is ok too.

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Bobcat14 · 26/11/2018 07:22

I had a hemi last year. My nodule was about as big as yours and pressing on my windpipe. Operation was easy, didn't even need painkillers when I got home. Very small scar. I did lose my voice for about 6 months (vocal cord palsy) but that's apparently very rare and it's completely fine now.

Original poster
HeyMacWey · 26/11/2018 12:22

Glad your op went well, even with they inconvenience of losing your voice too.
Good to know it wasn't particularly painful.

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