New thyroid nodule.

[Phoenix54]

Hi everyone. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in 2008, I was 19. It disappeared for a while then came back when I was pregnant with my second baby. About 6 months after she was born my thyroid suddenly became hyper instead of hypo. My doctor said I was on the brink of a thyroid storm and she said she palpated a large nodule on the right side of my thyroid. About a week later I went in for an ultrasound and NOTHING!!!! My levels took a few weeks to return to normal but now I feel like crap again. I am suddenly having severe pain in my throat where my thyroid is, trouble breathing and swallowing. My hair has started to feel like straw again and it's falling out so much I worry I'm going to go bald. I started feeling my neck today and I feel a few bumps on the right side again. Does anyone have any suggestions for my doctor's appointment on Thursday? I want them to take me seriously this time. (It's a different doctor, so that might help). Also, am I safe to wait till Thursday or do you think I should consider the ER? Thank you so much for all your help!

[Barb135]

In some instances, things can change quickly, with thyroid issues and in other instances, it can take months/years for them to change.  There are never any guarantees.

[Phoenix54]

Thank you everybody. :) I'm just upset because last they checked my thyroid everything was normal :( I was really hoping that I wasn't going to have anymore problems with it so this is just such a shock. Thank you for everyone's input!

[898_1]

The accuracy of palpation is only 30 % it happens now and than from every 10 people sent to the ultrasound for probable nodule only 3 actually have nodules.

[Barb135]

Forgot to mention... I doubt seriously that you are in a life threatening situation and while there may be some discomfort, there shouldn't be any reason you can't wait until your appointment on Thursday. The breathing and swallowing issues are quite common and often feel much worse than they really are, due to the anxiety they add to the situation. That said, you are the only one who knows how you feel and if, at any time, you feel that you are in real medical distress, you  should not hesitate to go to the ER.

[Barb135]

Ask them to test your thyroid antibodies.  It sounds like you might have Hashimoto's and are swinging between hyper and hypo, which is common in the early stages.

They also need to test TSH, Free T3 and Free T4 to see what your actual thyroid hormone levels are, as it sounds like you've swung back to hypo, again.  

You should not palpate your thyroid -- it only makes the lumps/bumps that much worse, the more you rub and irritate it.