Any information would be wonderful

About a year ago I noticed a lump on the right side of my neck which didn't concern me because it didn't hurt. About 2 months ago I started to get a sore throat that was localized to just the right side and thought I might want to get this bump checked out. I went to a local ER in which the Doctor expressed to me how important it was for me to follow up on the lump which I discovered was actually a lymph node. She made me quite nervous so I called my DOctor the next day and decided to do a little research to see what the Doctors concern was. I now know that lymph nodes that don't hurt are the ones that need to worry you and I had a fever other concerning factors that I didn't realize should have been a concern. Not every night but most nights I would experience excessive sweating, and my energy level some days was very low, sometimes it would take everything out of me just to get through a day.  Since seeing my Doctor he sent me for a cbc as well as a tb test. The tb test came back negative and the cbc shoes some slightly low levels on my thyroid function. He then sent me to get an ultrasound done of my lymph node as well as my thyroid and more blood work just to check my thyroid function. I then thought I had my mystery bump figured out but when I went back to the office that wasn't the case. He said he didn't like how the lymph node looked and my thyroid was enlarged and I also had modules on my thyroid, my blood work came back a little low as far as function but he said he wasn't concerned with the function. I am now scheduled for a CT of my neck and a thyroid scan which is scheduled next week. I would be lying if I didn't say I am scared to death. I am almost 30 years old and I have 2 young children. I don't remember the last time I have been ill but a few days ago I came down with another sore throat and this time it was way more severe than the last time. I was having trouble swallowing and breathing. I went in to see the Doctor and have tonsilitis, which I have never had before. He said it wasn't related to any of the other issues I have going on. On doing more research I found out tonsils are also lymph nodes, I can't help but wonder why my lymph nodes are going crazy all a sudden. I would love any feed back anyone has on anything that has been going on. I don't want to assume automatically that I have cancer but I do however realize that is what they are testing me for.

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

Understand your predicament. Lymph are protective mechanisms of the body and they 'trap' the infecting source causing enlargement of lymph nodes. The infection can be from the draining skin or the organs. If there is accompanying swelling, redness and fever it is most probably an infection. The other causes for enlarged nodes are tumors or inflammations to name a few.

You could be having  throat infection now. But the reason for the persistently enlarged nodes and thyroid need to be investigated. Only a biopsy of the node can help diagnose. Discuss these options with your consulting doctor.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.