Thyroid cyst/nodules

Usedtobechilled · 2023-04-19T15:52:07+00:00

Hi, Looking for positive stories/hope of anyone who had been diagnosed with a thyroid nodule/cyst with a happy outcome? I've found a lump on my neck which is pretty big. Ive had to go private because I'm freaking out a bit especially since I have a new born baby and the NHS wait was, in my opinion, too long for a lump in my throat that is actively growing. Doctor has said its either a cyst or nodules so I've been referred for an ultrasound and possible biopsy but im starting to really worry that its more serious than I originally thought. Anyone had the same post partum?

HashimotoMum · 19/04/2023 17:03

Hi OP I had a this (not postpartum) with a lump appearing in my neck. I also had to go private because of being unable to see my GP. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's Disease and the lump was my poor thyroid trying to work and failing miserably. I was asymptomatic until the lump appeared - which is unusual but not unheard of. Based on my bloods I should have been exhausted and had lots of other problems like thinning hair, dry skin, weight gain etc but I didn't. I had an ultrasound and blood tests, no biopsy needed. I am now on thyroxine for life but the lump has gone and I am very fit and well. I was scared shitless before I was diagnosed but I am fine now and see my consultant twice a year to check bloods and medication. Please try not to worry too much.

Original poster

Usedtobechilled · 19/04/2023 17:07

I also have no other symptoms. My blood tests came back saying my thyroid function was fine so the only symptom is the lump itself but I'm unsure if this means anything.
Im assuming yours was completely fluid filled? Were you quite happy to not have the biopsy? I feel like I'd still rather have a biopsy to be super sure there isn't anything else going on in there even if they say it's fluid filled.

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BlackInk · 19/04/2023 17:14

I noticed a lump in my neck/throat in October and was referred for an ultrasound scan on the NHS 2-week pathway to (hopefully) rule out cancer. The scan showed a selection of cysts and nodules – the largest being a 3cm colloid (semi-solid) cyst. I was told all looks totally benign and discharged (no biopsy). My thyroid blood tests were also normal. They said a 3cm cyst isn't big. I can feel my lump when I swallow and when I lie down and have also noticed some changes to my voice, but still no action required.
When's your scan? I'm surprised the NHS wait was too long for you as you should have been referred on the 2-week pathway for an unexplained neck lump.

HashimotoMum · 19/04/2023 17:15

It was so obvious in my case that it was Hashimoto's Disease from the bloods that I didn't need a biopsy. The only oddity with me was that I was asymptomatic (other than the lump) when really I shouldn't have been. Good luck - I know exactly how you feel.

Justhereforaibu1 · 19/04/2023 17:16

I've had a multinodular goitre for about 15 years. It's slowly gotten bigger but doesn't cause real problems. The biggest one is 3cm. The individual ones get bigger and smaller (I think). They are fluid filled. I had a biopsy years ago which came back fine. When pregnancy my bloods showed I was just at the higher end approaching being hyper but it went back to normal after. They don't cause any problems but are a little unsightly.

NewUserName23 · 19/04/2023 17:17

Yes I've had this, I mentioned to the doctor at my 6 week check after having my DD about a lump in my throat. Scan showed cysts, unfortunately I couldn't get them drained as I was told there is that many little ones it would be like sticking a needle in a sponge. My option was leave them alone or have surgery, surgery would also mean messing with my thyroid. 10 years on I still have them.

Original poster

Usedtobechilled · 19/04/2023 17:21

I had to have the lump for 3 weeks before my gp could refer me, then when I did get referred (urgently apparently) it was a 6 week wait to see a consultant to then be referred for an actual scan which would have been weeks again after that. By that point I'd have had the lump at least 12 weeks which is a scary thought when it had grown 1cm in between the 2 GP appointments.

To be honest private hasn't been super quick either but I'll have had my scan and biopsy by the time I'd have seen a consultant on the nhs.

I'd rather be poor and have my health.

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DutchCowgirl · 19/04/2023 17:22

my thyroid became all lumps and nodules after my second son was born.
I did do the biopsy, it was ok… but i had so many lumps and just this one biopsy so I was still worried! After 2 years of medication and monitoring my endocrinologist said the lumps were growing too fast and getting too big and we decided to have the whole thyroid removed. One lump was 10x6 cm so it looked like I swallowed a tennisball. They examined the thyroid thoroughly and there was no cancer.
Postpartum thyroid problems do occur very often!

Crikeyalmighty · 19/04/2023 17:23

I had a lump like this that came on gradually over about 18 months- during lockdown and stupidly I didn't get it looked at because it was hard to see a GP (it was pretty large) and I felt fine and then weirdly one day it suddenly vanished - doctor sent me for an ultrasound on my neck and they could see sponginess in the gland where it had been but all looked fine. Said it was likely to be a large cyst that either burst or just leaked out and went down overnight- my thyroid tests were fine too, although my FT4 is borderline low at 11.2 - my TSH is exactly normal - so I have to retest in 6 weeks. The consultant at the ultrasound centre though said that pretty large benign nodules and cysts with normal thyroid bloods and asymptomatic are incredibly common in women

Original poster

Usedtobechilled · 19/04/2023 17:27

DutchCowgirl · 19/04/2023 17:22

my thyroid became all lumps and nodules after my second son was born.
I did do the biopsy, it was ok… but i had so many lumps and just this one biopsy so I was still worried! After 2 years of medication and monitoring my endocrinologist said the lumps were growing too fast and getting too big and we decided to have the whole thyroid removed. One lump was 10x6 cm so it looked like I swallowed a tennisball. They examined the thyroid thoroughly and there was no cancer.
Postpartum thyroid problems do occur very often!

This wasn't even something I was aware could happen after pregnancy, it was just an absolute fluke that I found it. It's scary how quickly it seems to have appeared.
It's good to know though that you're saying they happen often, that helps a wee bit

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Matchingcollarandcuffs · 19/04/2023 17:30

I’ve got multiple thyroid nodules first diagnosed by MRI and then several ultrasounds. All benign. Bloods were all fine too.

Really common apparently, normally benign

Original poster

Usedtobechilled · 19/04/2023 17:32

Crikeyalmighty · 19/04/2023 17:23

I had a lump like this that came on gradually over about 18 months- during lockdown and stupidly I didn't get it looked at because it was hard to see a GP (it was pretty large) and I felt fine and then weirdly one day it suddenly vanished - doctor sent me for an ultrasound on my neck and they could see sponginess in the gland where it had been but all looked fine. Said it was likely to be a large cyst that either burst or just leaked out and went down overnight- my thyroid tests were fine too, although my FT4 is borderline low at 11.2 - my TSH is exactly normal - so I have to retest in 6 weeks. The consultant at the ultrasound centre though said that pretty large benign nodules and cysts with normal thyroid bloods and asymptomatic are incredibly common in women

OK that's good to know that although it's feels like quite a big lump (you can see it when I swallow) that it could still be considered "normal"

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Crikeyalmighty · 19/04/2023 17:36

@Usedtobechilled mine was too- size I would say of a plum before it 'vanished'

Ripple2020 · 20/04/2023 20:59

Hi @Usedtobechilled I have a 14 week old and 2 year old and 3 weeks ago I found what feels like a golf ball sized lump on my thyroid! At first I hoped it was just hormonal because my period hadn't returned(12 weeks PP) so I went to my docs, had bloods done n they came back to say thyroid etc functioning normal...needless to say my heart sank as I was hoping it was just my thyroid off after pregnancy! Had ultrasound last Tuesday n they've referred me to have FNA biopsy next Friday...my gp just said the scan confirmed a lump but my lymph nodes looked normal...total nightmare, I cried non stop n couldn't eat for about four days and this is meant to be such a happy time but the worry is something else when you have babies! My husband said the lump doesn't look any bigger but to me it feels humongous now plus I feel like it's a kind of stingy sensation going to my ear n collarbone, I wouldn't rate it as a pain just I'm aware of it...I'm in Ireland btw where the health system is in shatters n I've just been relentless in contacting friends of friends who know people who can get me appointments quickly as I feel like the stress n worry is unbearable...I'm obv not much help but I wanted to share as I got comfort from hearing of someone in a similar situation to me...it can't be a coincidence that we've just had babies n now having problems with our thyroid surely🤞🏼 I hope you get some answers soon, to be able to move on n just focus on being a mom☺️

Original poster

Usedtobechilled · 20/04/2023 22:05

Ripple2020 · 20/04/2023 20:59

Hi @Usedtobechilled I have a 14 week old and 2 year old and 3 weeks ago I found what feels like a golf ball sized lump on my thyroid! At first I hoped it was just hormonal because my period hadn't returned(12 weeks PP) so I went to my docs, had bloods done n they came back to say thyroid etc functioning normal...needless to say my heart sank as I was hoping it was just my thyroid off after pregnancy! Had ultrasound last Tuesday n they've referred me to have FNA biopsy next Friday...my gp just said the scan confirmed a lump but my lymph nodes looked normal...total nightmare, I cried non stop n couldn't eat for about four days and this is meant to be such a happy time but the worry is something else when you have babies! My husband said the lump doesn't look any bigger but to me it feels humongous now plus I feel like it's a kind of stingy sensation going to my ear n collarbone, I wouldn't rate it as a pain just I'm aware of it...I'm in Ireland btw where the health system is in shatters n I've just been relentless in contacting friends of friends who know people who can get me appointments quickly as I feel like the stress n worry is unbearable...I'm obv not much help but I wanted to share as I got comfort from hearing of someone in a similar situation to me...it can't be a coincidence that we've just had babies n now having problems with our thyroid surely🤞🏼 I hope you get some answers soon, to be able to move on n just focus on being a mom☺️

That's brilliant that you've managed to have a scan so quickly, i was looking at at least 2 months before i could get a scan on the nhs. It is of comfort to know that this isn't incredibly unusual and that it sounds like it's a known problem from pregnanc because your thyroid is working overtime that this can happen, I just wish I had known to look out for it. It's a worry to think how long it's been there before I've noticed it.
Is it not a positive that your lymph nodes look normal?

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