I need thyroid advice!

[maggie99]

I have been signed off work for weeks feel totally ill and am so tired its unbelievable.  My other symptoms include breathlessness, dry coughing, slow movement/thinking, memory & concentration problems, sore throat,ear & neck, terrible skin hair and nails.  About 4 weeks ago I also noticed a lump on my neck which gp says is on my thyroid gland. She did a blood test and told me my thyroid was normal but I needed a scan.  I have private health insurance who said they would pay for a thyroid investigation (bloods scans etc) so gp referred me to a consultand and I saw him last night, it was TERRIBLE.  He wouln't look at my list of symptoms as 'he was ENT so not interested he was only lookng at my throat and that doesn't cause you to feel ill so symptoms are irrelevant and not related' - direct quote!  He looked in my mouth then stuck a camera up my nose and down my throat-twice.  It was horrific and I nearly passed out, I was in a terrible state.  He agreed I have a lump on my neck and said he thinks its 'not important' and my throat looks fine but I'm getting an ultrasound scan (no blood tests though since GP done 1 and it was normal).  
I don't really know what to do as I feel I have had a thyroid investigation and he totally wasn't interested in hearing my symptoms (I thought you paid private for a better service-not with him).  Any advice?  Also does it sound like I have thyroid problems or am I off my head?

[maggie99]

Hi emel sounds like you had a really rough time-glad to hear you're getting sorted out now though.

I went for my ultrasound scan tonight and am more confused than ever now! The guy said he could see and feel the lump on my neck but it wasn't showing up as anything on the ultrasound and he thought it was sitting at the top of my thyroid gland, I thought that was a bit weird! Anyone have any ideas about that?!

[emel2229]

I had to contact my private insurance to get a list of approved providers and then sort through the list.  Specialists are sometimes narrow sighted.  If the ENT doesn't want to help, try an endocrinologist (they specialize in the system, not just one area).  Get the ultrasound done anyhow.  It will give a good starting point for the doctors.  I ended up seeing 3 different doctors (and consulting 6 more) to get answers.  I also had a lump in my throat and many other symptoms.  At least 2 of the 3 doctors dismissed my symptoms as "unrelated" to the lump.  Last week, the 3rd doctor removed a nearly 3 cm tumor from my throat and the right side of my thyroid.  I had to be my own patient advocate to get there.  It seemed like the early doctors I saw had their own agendas and my best care was not on the list.  Please do not get discouraged.  You know your body and if there is something wrong, fight to find the answers.  By the way, my blood tests (I have had 4) have come back normal every time.  Sometimes normal for most is not normal for you.  Good luck.