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Hashimoto's and enlarged lymph nodes
I'm coming to you guys today to help ease my fears a little bit. I have been having issues with enlarged lymph nodes for roughly 2 years now. I was finally diagnosed with Hashimoto's (elevated TPOab and Tgab) in November. Since then my lymph nodes have been waxing and waning, all except one at the back of the neck, one in the chest, and one in my left armpit. All were noticed on a ct scan in January, but labeled "shotty adenopathy". Since the one in my armpit (axiallary) is palpable, my ob expedited an immediate mammogram today. It is 2.5 cm (rather large in comparison) and the radiologist said that it's texture is not consistent with lymphoma/carcinoma, but rather chronic illness. I can't help but freak out that the one that I feel in my neck and chest were mislabeled on the ct as well though. What if their textures are consistent with cancer and the axiallary node is just enlarged as my body is fighting the cancer in either of those? I don't know, I'm kinda freaking out! My doctor wants to do a full lymphectomy of the axiallary node and is scheduling it ASAP. In the meantime, I would love to hear from any of you that know or have experience with Hashimoto's and enlarged lymph nodes that do not wax and wane and general overall lymphatic pain (chronic sinus pressure, pain in the groin, bottoms of feet, and armpits). I would like to know if my overreactive antibodies could be causing this. Other odd to Hashimoto's symptoms that I'm having are weight loss (as of today 93 lbs; 20 lbs underweight no change in diet), low blood pressure, hives, and hands occasionally turning bluish gray in color (especially after eating). CBC looks great except for slightly low normal WBC and slightly high RDW (not anemic). Any input would be greatly appreciated! Ps docs are still investigating possible Lyme and bartonella infections.
Thanks Barb! Unfortunately, Lyme is very hard to diagnose, especially if you've had it for a long time ( chronic). There are a lot of politics involved with the CDC, so I am waiting for an appt with a Lyme Literate doctor (LLMD) and then I have to wait for them to run a bunch of tests that the CDC doesn't recognize and then begin a giant cocktail of antibiotics. Thank goodness I found a doctor willing to put me on an antibiotic in the meantime. However it's been 2 weeks and I almost feel worse:(. Idk, I would love to just have an answer for all of this! I am so weak and I can't think straight. Would be happy with just one or the other at this point.
Anyway, I tried the b 12 supplements a month ago religiously for a couple of weeks. I didn't really notice a difference, but maybe I didn't give it long enough? That's another problem with me: I'll give it one or 2 weeks to work and if it doesn't I move on. I did the same thing with Naturethroid. I gave up on it a few days ago.
Anyway, I tried the b 12 supplements a month ago religiously for a couple of weeks. I didn't really notice a difference, but maybe I didn't give it long enough? That's another problem with me: I'll give it one or 2 weeks to work and if it doesn't I move on. I did the same thing with Naturethroid. I gave up on it a few days ago.
COMMUNITY LEADER
According to what I read and the pictures I saw, there are no lymph nodes in the feet. The lowest ones are in the back of the knee. Take a look at the following link; it shows where the nodes are located.
http://www.nhlcyberfamily.org/nodes.htm
Many of us, myself included, have to have vitamin B12 at the very upper range in order to avoid symptoms. You don't have to be completely deficient in order to have symptoms.
How are they coming with the tests for Lyme? From what you've said, that's what I'd want them to rule out first.
http://www.nhlcyberfamily.org/nodes.htm
Many of us, myself included, have to have vitamin B12 at the very upper range in order to avoid symptoms. You don't have to be completely deficient in order to have symptoms.
How are they coming with the tests for Lyme? From what you've said, that's what I'd want them to rule out first.
B 12 and anemia tests came back fine (well, mid range, but certainly not deficient, so I'm told). I believe there are lymph nodes in the feet, they just aren't really significant other than to carry the lymph throughout the body. Many times it is cancer patients first complaint other than nightsweats, so being that I'm not deficient in the b 12, that's what freaks me out about it. Could just be my antibodies working overtime to kill this thyroid, maybe? ANA testing was just done again and it came back lower than in last November ( down from 1:80 speckled to 1:40). With hashi being an autoimmune condition, basically rheumatological, right?, I keep trying to tell myself that's all that it is. I feel like I've spent the past 2+ years searching for answers and getting a lot of shrugged shoulders, but no answers.
Do you see a rheumetologist? This sounds like systemic inflammation. Have you had an ANA test?
COMMUNITY LEADER
I do have experience with Hashimoto's since I have it; however, I don't have experience with the lymph node issue.
Your high RDW indicates possible vitamin B12 deficiency which would correlate with pain/neuropathy in the feet. I have permanent damage in my feet, due to years of undetected/untreated Pernicious Anemia. To my knowledge there are no lymph nodes in the bottom your feet.
Just a bit of research and it appears that shotty adenopathy is likely viral in nature.
Your high RDW indicates possible vitamin B12 deficiency which would correlate with pain/neuropathy in the feet. I have permanent damage in my feet, due to years of undetected/untreated Pernicious Anemia. To my knowledge there are no lymph nodes in the bottom your feet.
Just a bit of research and it appears that shotty adenopathy is likely viral in nature.
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While it may sound counter intuitive, sometimes you get worse before you get better. It takes your body time to adjust to most things, especially, if you've been deficient for a while, whether it's vitamins/minerals or thyroid hormones. It takes the T4 in NatureThroid at least 4-6 weeks to build up, but the T3 in it should have kept you going.
When I first started my B12 shots, I had to have them weekly for a month, then monthly and it still took several months to build my levels up to a point where I could tell I'd had the shots. If oral B12 isn't helping you might want to talk to your doctor about shots, sublingual or the nasal spray. At any rate, 2 weeks is almost assuredly not long enough for it to make a difference.
I know it's difficult to find a LLMD, but there have been a lot of patients here on MH that have been dx'd once they found the right doctor. Not sure what you're referring to about the politics with CDC and unrecognized tests .... no one I've known with Lyme disease has ever had a problem getting adequate treatment, once diagnosed, though it does take an LLMD to run the right tests and interpret them accurately.