Swollen painful lymph node with Hashi's

[dani2776]

Has anyone ever experienced swollen painful lymph nodes with their thyroid?  I have one just below my left ear and was wondering if it could be thyroid related.  I don't have a fever or any other signs of an infection so I am curious as to what this could be.  It is really bothersome and has me a little concerned.

[dawnangela]

Hi Danni, I haven't had this happen with my Hashi, but i think Tamra here does..I see a lot of ppl here have swollen lymph glands...Dawn

[KimberlyB]

Hi Dani..
Just to let u know, I have not yet even been diagnosed with Hashi's, but my WHOLE life for the last 20 years, has been ALL ABOUT BEING SICK with Hashi's symptoms!
I have been ill and misdiagnosed for 20 yrs..and one of my huge symptoms is swollen and painful lymph nodes.
Remember..Hashimotos is an AUTO-IMMUNE disease...your body is attacking your thyroid! Your body sees it's thyroid as an invader and begins to attack it and break it down.
The lymph nodes most likely swell up because they are the tissues that are right near the thyroid..and they are trying to do an important job to protect your thyroid from being attacked..and while they are protecting the thyroid, they swell up. .They are trying to stand in the way of the body attacking it's own thyroid. When people are ill, the lymph nodes swell up as a way of protecting the body...
I cant give u exact details on how/why the swelling of the lymph nodes protects the body, but u can look this up online. (However, u also have to be careful and aware of the fact that some swelling of lymph nodes can be signs of lymphoma {which can be caused by LONG TERM symptoms of Hashi's}..so have your lymph nodes checked out!!)
Anyway...remember, with Hashimotos disease, we are NOT well. Our immune systems are weakened..or in overload. There are numberous symptoms (of which I have ALL OF THEM)...and it is up to each of us to find the RIGHT {KNOWLEDGABLE AND OPENMINDED} DR who can help us not only treat ALL of the symptoms, but to help guide us to improving our overall immune system health.
After suffering for 20 yrs with this, my plan is to educate people everywhere on Hashimotos, and immune system disfuction..and guide people to get the RIGHT help..by being a patient advocate...that person who can help someone who is ill to get to the right Dr and make sure the Dr is LISTENING to their symtoms..and make sure the Dr WILL GET THEM WELL!
After 20 yrs of being ill, and undiagnosed, I am finally on my path of purpose in my life...and I know that I am going to help as many people as possible in this world.

Hope this helps u...
I have MANY swollen and painful lymph nodes under my jawline and in my neck..not to mention a very painful thyroid region...and imagine, I havent even been diagnosed yet because I go through remission periods where my anti-bodies dont show up in my blood work..leading Dr's to believe I am fine and healthy..which I'm NOT!

Stay in touch with me and feel free to email me directly:)
KIM:)

[Totie]

I was having swelling underneath the jawline, my was very painful. Long story short, had surgery to remove infected submandibular gland which had a mass attached too it, two enlarged lymph nodes, and a calcified ligament in the area. I had a lot of burning pain.

My thyroid was removed 15yrs ago, so that was not the problem. I do still have lymphadenopathy, enlarged lymph nodes behnid my ear, and enlarged lymph nodes in the groin area. Doctors know there is something going on, but don't know what..

[Me967]

I also have lymph nodes in my neck that swell.  It is very hard to eat or drink for a few days to a week and then they go down.  Same with my groin and underarms.  I was told for some people this is normal.  I don't have Hashi's either; but, just thought I would put in my 2 cents worth.  I would have it checked though just to be on the safe side.  You never know.

[Totie]

You mentioned it becomes painful to eat or drink? Are you sure it is not a salivary gland? Those were my symptoms when my submandibular gland was infected.

Just wondering...

[Me967]

She done a culture of the back of my throat, but I think that was for strep.  I don't know.  As far as I know it was the lymph nodes.  They also swell under my arms and in the right groin area.  I was told not to worry about them.