Hi,
I have been diagnosed with Hypothyroidism due to hashimoto's thyroiditis. I usually see a nurse practitioner at the endocrinology specialists office. She seems to be controlling my TSH (bloods tests include free T4 and TSH, and she orders a comprehensive metabolic panel) pretty well, as I feel much better in that respect. At my last visit, she had tested my hormone levels and told me that she thinks I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (I have elevated testosterone levels, was losing hair despite having my thyroid levels being maintained at a normal level, skin darkening, abdominal pain, insulin resistance, acne, heavy periods/irregular periods, etc..). I am going to see a OBGYN within the next three weeks for a routine pap. I was told by the nurse practitioner that I should also take my blood work with me to show the gynecologist when I get my pap, so that he can recommend an oral contraceptive that better suits a person with pcos. Right now, I am taking Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo to regulate testosterone, Metformin for Insulin resistance and levothyroxine for Hypothyroidism. With that said, I have never had a thyroid ultrasound, and have had a hard, fixed right supraclavicular lymph node for about 8 months. It is about the size of a pea, and I have been told that it is not considered enlarged. All the doctor's I have seen (pcp, endo, gastroentorologist), have said they will keep an eye on it. I have been having pain in my throat, above and around my thyroid for the past year and a half, back pain and crackling and popping noises in my upper chest that happen at various times through out the day. It doesn't hurt, but it feels like there is some sort of pressure release--it doesn't seem like it is originating from my back bones or my sternum. I don't find it difficult to breath, but do feel as if my heart jumps every so often, and randomly feel like fainting during aerobic exercise. After all of that, I have two questions:
A. Do you think I should have an ultrasound of my thyroid and the node?
B. Should I have the chest thing checked out?
I haven't felt well for the past two years and am finally feeling better. The reason I want to have these things checked is because I would like to prevent any more problems in the future. I have had an overwhelming amount of symptoms from the hypothyroidism and pcos, and a few side affects from the medications. This led to a bad experience with my Primary care physician. She made me feel as if wash being a hypochondriac. I am happy to have finally found out what is happening with my body, thanks to my endo. However, I am still concerned about the node and my chest. I am afraid to bring up my true concerns with my endo and my gyno, for fear of them just brushing me off like my primary care physician had done. it is very frustrating.
Thanks for you help,
gemtonic