Nodules, but not near thyroid?

[DeebellaNY]

I have two nodules, one at the base of my neck towards the back, pea sized for about a month that I know of.  The other is at the same vertical area of my neck, just up about half way, again this is pea sized and towards the back, behind that large neck muscle.  I had mentioned this to my internist Nov 7th, which she felt and said it could be your glands because you have tons back there, wait 3 weeks and see me again if theyre still there.

I went back for an acid reflux follow up on Monday, and had to remind her about the bumps, which were/are still there, and brought up a new symptom, shooting pain, like the quick sharp kind, going down that right side of my neck, (almost towards the back) and down to the base of my shoulder blade on my back.  

It wasn't until i mentioned them again, that she said " Oh I also notice you have slightly enlarged thyroid glands", she didn't even feel the front of my neck? How would she know? I dont notice anything different.  Though, I do have a slight tightness feeling but not constant or bothersome.  

Any ideas?  Nodules havent grown, they dont hurt to the touch, they're basically just under the skin and have a gland like feeling. Also, I had my TSH done earlier in the year, maybe Spring, and they came back normal.  Would it have been ideal for her to sched me for T3 and the others more in depth or is that after my ultrasound which is this Friday, Dec 3rd.  

Lots of questions i'm sorry, but could a slightly enlarged thyroid mean nothing?  I have no immediate family history of thyroid problems, my great grandmother did, but just slight, and my distant cousins.

[DeebellaNY]

I'm sorry that i said nodules, I'm not sure that they are, and could possibly be lymphnodes or glands.

[DeebellaNY]

Thank you Doctor.  I was told "unofficially" by the ultrasound tech that the right lobe is 4.5, i know there are other measurements involved but only went into some detail since I asked what may have prompted the u/s if she hadn't felt that area of my neck. She said it was on the higher end of normal but couldn't see anything in that area to worry about.  I told her I wouldn't take to heart what she said since the doctor must review, but thanked her.  As for the nodules she noted that some people are more inclined to feel things that are normal and could be more sensitive.

I'm not sure if I added in my original statement that on that right side of my neck I had sporadically gotten sharp like shooting pains down that area of my neck into my shoulder, maybe its just strain from me poking and touching that area and thinking about it too much?

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Bumps towards the back of the neck are likely lymph nodes - we have 200-300 in the head/neck area and it is common to feel some on exam.
Thyroid ultrasound will rule out thyroid nodules.
With normal TSH, your thyroid function is normal.