swollen neck

[tamateta]

Hi All.

While I await a visit to the dr, I thought I would pose my question here.  I am wondering about enlarged thyroids.  It seems that most present as a lump...  And the entire left side of my neck is swollen.. collarbone on up.  Its not lumpy at all, just smooth and swollen (noticeable if you look, but wouldn't notice if you passed me on the street).  It hurts (not terribly, but its always there).  Does an enlarged thyroid ever present like this?

I fear hypothyroidism, as I have several other symptoms (I am 24, T1 diabetes, fatigued, cold, dry skin, weight gain).

Thanks everyone.

[Jimlow]

Tamateta, Hi, When you have a general swelling, they call it goiter but small lumps like pea to marble size (even bigger) are nodules. Several nodules together is multi-nodular.
If you haven't gotten a thyroid panel with antibodies tested, I would sure do so. Don't let them talk you out of antibodies test because your hormones can be in normal range even if autoimmune thyroid disease is present.
Also, autoimmune disease increases risks for others. Type I Diabetes is usually from antibodies attacking the insulin producing cells. Some people don't know that Type I is autoimmune.
I've heard others Docs say autoimmune diseases do not put you at risk for others but they are getting this contradictory info, I don't know. Maybe it's the usual "downplay everything and it will go away attitude".
Hashimoto's Hypothyoid patients are at substantially higher risk of developing diabetes, so I'm sure the reverse is also true.  Hope that helped.