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Enlarged thyroid since age 14
Hi! I was in a car accident when I was 14, and had an MRI due to neck injury. It was noted in my scan that my thyroid was enlarged. I went to the dr several years later and had my levels checked...and they were normal. Well fast forward to now, age 25, and two kids later. My thyroid is huge! I have swollen lymph nodes, and my voice has been off and on again. I work in a office and my voice was so hoarse I could hardly answer phones. (it comes and goes) Well, I went to my GP, who is an internal specialist, and noticed my thryroid without even making me tip my head back. He says my lymph nodes were swollen, immediately ordered TSH and T4 blood tests. I will be set up for an ultrasound after these results come back. So, my question is really not a question, just wondering if anyone has had similar experiences. I am not scared of what the future holds, I will just go with it and enjoy my life to the fullest, so please tell me anything and everything!
COMMUNITY LEADER
Sometimes blood tests do come back negative. That doesn't mean you don't have a problem, nor will it eliminate the need for ultra sound. Your doctor should have ordered everything needed, right away.
Even if the TSH and FT4 come back "normal", you could still have antibodies causing inflammation/swelling, that just hasn't progressed to the point of causing TSH to rise or FT4 to fall below range. Now, since he didn't order the antibody tests, either, you'll have to wait, once again to get those results. Do make sure you ask for those tests.
Do keep in mind that just because those result might be "in range", doesn't mean they are good enough for you. We're all individual and don't always fit into a nice little reference range.
Even if the TSH and FT4 come back "normal", you could still have antibodies causing inflammation/swelling, that just hasn't progressed to the point of causing TSH to rise or FT4 to fall below range. Now, since he didn't order the antibody tests, either, you'll have to wait, once again to get those results. Do make sure you ask for those tests.
Do keep in mind that just because those result might be "in range", doesn't mean they are good enough for you. We're all individual and don't always fit into a nice little reference range.
Also, I have heard now that these tests can come back negatine, but still be a problem. How often is this true??
I have no idea why he is waiting. I called the office Tuesday, after I did my testing and asked when I could schedule it, and that is what they told me. I work for the hospital that I had them done, and I am about to go and get my own results from medical records I think.
Hi and thanks for replying. He did order an FT4 with the TSH, along with the basics/...BMP and CBC. I should have specified, but was just in a hurry. Other symptoms:
Weight gain- I fluctuate between 170 and 155- I stay 155 if I am constantly dieting and running, but can't get any lower than that. I have had fatigue since as far back as I can remember, so much that I know nothing but being tired. My doctor when I was younger used to try and blame my anemia, but I only tested positive for being anemic one time, so that's ridiculous. I have the classic discomfort of my neck being big in general. I know it def doesn't mean the worst news is up ahead, I just wanted to get real info from people who really know, instead of the dreaded google, lol. I am positive that there is something with my thyroid, I just don't know what. I don't know why he is waiting to do the U/S, nor why they haven't called with my results yet. I am very eager to know though. Any feedback is very much welcome and appreciated! Thanks so much for responding.
Weight gain- I fluctuate between 170 and 155- I stay 155 if I am constantly dieting and running, but can't get any lower than that. I have had fatigue since as far back as I can remember, so much that I know nothing but being tired. My doctor when I was younger used to try and blame my anemia, but I only tested positive for being anemic one time, so that's ridiculous. I have the classic discomfort of my neck being big in general. I know it def doesn't mean the worst news is up ahead, I just wanted to get real info from people who really know, instead of the dreaded google, lol. I am positive that there is something with my thyroid, I just don't know what. I don't know why he is waiting to do the U/S, nor why they haven't called with my results yet. I am very eager to know though. Any feedback is very much welcome and appreciated! Thanks so much for responding.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Many of us have had similar experiences, and it sounds like you're expecting the worst, which may not be the case. Unfortunately, your doctor has not ordered enough tests.
TSH and T4 are not enough to determine what's going on. First off, you need FREE T4, not just T4, which implies Total T4 (there's a huge difference between TT4 and FT4). In addition, you need Free T3, which is the thyroid hormone that's actually used by the individual cells (Free T4 can't be used directly, it must be converted to Free T3).
Secondly, he has not ordered thyroid antibody tests..... those will tell you if you have an autoimmune thyroid disease, which can cause, both, lymph nodes and thyroid gland to swell.
You could have either Hashimoto's Thyroiditis or Graves Disease. Hashimoto's is usually associated with hypothyroidism (under active), but can present with periods of hyper as well. Tests to determine Hashi's would be Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPOab) and Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TGab). You need them both, to either rule out or confirm, since some people have one, some have the other, some have both.
Graves Disease is associated with being hyperthyroid (over active). The definitive test for Graves is Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin (TSI).
Your doctor should have ordered the FT3, ultra sound, and antibody tests, simultaneously, with the others, so all the results would be in at the same time.
All of that said, what symptoms do you have, other than the voice issues?
Neither Hashimoto's, nor Graves usually end in death; nor does thyroid cancer, which is rare, but the most treatable cancer there is.
Relax and be sure to get all the testing required. Many doctors only want to test TSH and TT4 -- that's not nearly enough to get a full picture of what's going on. No matte how much you like him/her, if your doctor resists any of the suggested tests, get a second opinion.
TSH and T4 are not enough to determine what's going on. First off, you need FREE T4, not just T4, which implies Total T4 (there's a huge difference between TT4 and FT4). In addition, you need Free T3, which is the thyroid hormone that's actually used by the individual cells (Free T4 can't be used directly, it must be converted to Free T3).
Secondly, he has not ordered thyroid antibody tests..... those will tell you if you have an autoimmune thyroid disease, which can cause, both, lymph nodes and thyroid gland to swell.
You could have either Hashimoto's Thyroiditis or Graves Disease. Hashimoto's is usually associated with hypothyroidism (under active), but can present with periods of hyper as well. Tests to determine Hashi's would be Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPOab) and Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TGab). You need them both, to either rule out or confirm, since some people have one, some have the other, some have both.
Graves Disease is associated with being hyperthyroid (over active). The definitive test for Graves is Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin (TSI).
Your doctor should have ordered the FT3, ultra sound, and antibody tests, simultaneously, with the others, so all the results would be in at the same time.
All of that said, what symptoms do you have, other than the voice issues?
Neither Hashimoto's, nor Graves usually end in death; nor does thyroid cancer, which is rare, but the most treatable cancer there is.
Relax and be sure to get all the testing required. Many doctors only want to test TSH and TT4 -- that's not nearly enough to get a full picture of what's going on. No matte how much you like him/her, if your doctor resists any of the suggested tests, get a second opinion.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Why are we waiting for the labs before obtaining the ultrasound?
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