A lump in my right index finger

There is a small nodule found at the distal end, towards the base of my right index finger. It started growing and now it is around 5 or 6 mm size. It is movable and firm, i suppose with no pain, only mild pain during pressure. no problem to use my hand for writing or others. could it be a lipoma? will lipoma occur there? any reason to worry?

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Thanks for the post!

In all probability the swelling is a neurofibroma or a swelling in the nerve. It is generally harmless. It could also be a lipoma. It could also ne a cyst in the tendon. Watch for increase in size, change of color, pain, or bleeding. If any of these happen, seek medical help. Otherwise such swellings cause no harm.
Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!

[tenneh]

thanks for the valuable help. The size of it has slightly increased in the past 2-3 months, very slight. It was so small in the beginning that i could barely see, but now it is slightly big. Pain only on pressure. There is no other symptom, no change of color or bleeding. I had a history of ganglion, 10 years back. Will neurofibroma cause any harm?

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Thanks for keeping me posted!

No neurofibroma will generally cause no harm. The swelling could also be a nerve ganglion. Both are harmless. Very rarely, if they increase in size too much will they restrict movement and cause pressure symptoms. Since the swelling has increased in size and causes pain on pressing, you should preferably get it removed and biopsied. Any swelling or tissue removed from the body is biopsied as a normal procedure.
Do let me know if there is any thing else you want to know and please keep me posted. Take care!

[tenneh]

Thanks for answering.
The size is not increasing faster, but it has reached the size less than an a very small almond.( i'm not getting any other term to compare!). It causes very mild pain on strong pressure. Is there any other option than removal? If it is not going and not causing any pressure symptoms, should i worry? will medicines help? by the way, my HDL level is just 19,( i know that the normal value should be between 40-60). is this nodule has any thing to do with the HDL level?
The thought of biopsy makes me slightly worried.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Thanks for keeping me posted!

As I said earlier, if the swelling is not really increasing in size, changing color, bleeding or causing pressure symptoms then you can ignore it. Generally the swelling you are describing is a neurofibroma or ganglion.(However cannot say for sure as have not examined it) Both are harmless. Both do not become cancerous in future. And the word ‘biopsy’ should not scare you. This does not herald ‘cancer’. If you get the swelling removed, then only the biopsy is done. It is a routine procedure, just to test what the tissue is. Generally these swellings cannot be treated with medicines.

Yes, your HDL is low. It will not cause the swelling, but yes, it is not good for your heart. Walking, exercising and certain drugs called statins do increase the HDL value. You must consult your doctor and ask what you can do about it. You will have to cut down on fats and general calories for this.

Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!

[tenneh]

Thank you so much for keeping me informed.
I would like to tell you another condition of mine. I have polycystic ovarian pattern with ovarry size 25 mm and normal uterine size. My thyroid function tests proved to be normal and FSH, LH and testosterone values are also found to be normal. But the monthly periods is irregular. Blood sugar levels normal. Will this cause any problem in future.Is the serum insulin test and the blood sugar test different?
thanks.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Thanks for keeping me posted!
Polycystic ovarian disease is known to be associated with Insulin resistance and at times primary or secondary infertility. No, blood glucose and Insulin test are not the same. Insulin test tells you whether your cells have developed resistance to insulin or not. Blood glucose test measures the level of glucose in the blood. It cannot tell you the reason behind the high glucose level in the blood. If you develop insulin resistance, then naturally your blood glucose level rises. However in your case the glucose level is normal. If your insulin test comes positive, then you can develop high blood sugar levels in the future.
Do let me know if there is any thing else you want to know and please keep me posted. Take care!

[tenneh]

I'm so happy to find that my doubts are getting cleared. As I have told you earlier, last year my TFT were found to be normal. But now when I touch my throat I feel that the area of the trachea,I mean, exactly the center of my throat, is slightly projected. Is it possible that on one side our TFT will prove to be within normal limits, and on the other side we will have goiter? I'm concerned about this because of the irregularity of the periods. Any how, I'll rechecking my TFT, next week along with the lipid profile, and I'll surely be letting you know the results. Do tell me whether goiter can occur this way.
Thank you soooo much for spending your valuable time, for patiently going through my questions and keeping me informed.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Thanks for keeping me posted!
Yes, it is possible to have a thyroid swelling and normal thyroid hormone levels. Certain medicines like lithium make the thyroid glands swell. In some the swelling is hereditary, that is these people tend to have a larger than normal thyroid. Thyroiditis or inflammation of thyroid is another cause. When you get your TFT done, get a physician to ascess your gland too.
Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!

[tenneh]

I've not taken any medicine containing lithium. I had a history of psoriasis a few years back, but am fine now.
I'm palnning to do a TFT, lipid profile and serum insulin test on the coming Tuesday, ie 23rd. But it is not at the doctor's office, hence I'd have to wait for some more time to meet a physician.
Last time I did my TFT and lipid profile, fasting. I believe, serum insulin is also to be done fasting, am i right?

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Thanks for keeping me posted!

Yes, serum insulin is also done fasting.
Do let me know if there is any thing else you want to know and please keep me posted. Take care!

[tenneh]

Thank you so much.
I am planning to fo for the following tests, FSH, LH, Serum testosterone, Serum insulin, Serum lipid profile, TFT, Ultrasound scan abdomen, and ultrasound scan thyroid. I am doing a thyroid scan as not to miss a goiter, if any. I hope these tests will be enough.

Well, i'm just doing this because i'm worried that i may not be able to conceive after getting married, if i have any hormone problem or uterine problem or thyroid problem.

Your opinion and advice helped me really better and made me at ease. I would want to let you know the results of the tests as soon as i receive it.

[tenneh]

I'd like to inform the test results:
Here they are
USG THYROID:
Isthmus measures 1.4normal.
The right lobe of thyroid measures 15mm in AP dimension.
The left lobe of the thyroid measures 15 mm in AP dimension.
Mid portion of the right lobe shows a hypoechoic nodule of 5x6 mm.
No focal lesion seen on the left side.
No evidence of any significant lymphadenopathy.
Rest of the neck structures appear normal.

T3-- 141 nd/dl.
T4-- 8.9 microgm/dl.
TSH-- 1.8mIU/L.

Serum insulin (fasting) 24.5 micro IU/ml.
These are the reports. Is there anything to worry. I'm just worried about the nodule and I did not understand the TFT results.
Expecting your opinion soon.

thank you.