Why is my thyroid nodule (benign) suddenly sending pain jabs?

[Mehr0000]

I was diagnosed with a benign thyroid nodule almost an year ago, after the whole biopsy and everything.
Since then it's almost been an year and I've had no trouble what so ever. The lump stayed either as it was or grew smaller and back to its original size.

But a day or two ago it and the area to my jaw started feeling, how to put it, sensitive to my touch and sore all of a sudden.

I don't know what's happening. It's like somebody is jabbing their finger on it or my neck at times. Some times it's like my whole face is vibrating or there's a ping inside my ear. And it's painful to stretch my neck and gulp. I have no problem breathing or eating. But when ever I drink water or gulp, I feel a pain in the area my nodule is located and a little above it.

I did had something a little sour a few days back.
Could this be because of that?
I'm really not sure.
It'd be great if I'd get some answers.
I've searched the internet and I couldn't find much.

The one thing that I'd like to know (and I'm hoping it's not the case) is this that, can a benign thyroid nodule turn into a cancerous one?

And if no, then is my case seemingly something dangerous.


P.s, thank you for hearing me out. I hope you all have a good day.

[Barb135]

Hello... don't worry about the delay in responding; that's not a problem.  

Let's start at the beginning because you've presented some interesting information... First, the TSH, Free T4, and Free T3 were some of the tests I was looking for.  Do you have reference ranges of all of them?  Reference ranges vary from lab to lab so they have to come from your own report.  I'm assuming the range you listed is for the TSH?  The Free T4 and Free T3 will, each have their own ranges, as well.

The problem is that tests done a year ago would not be relevant now, because a lot of things can change in a year, especially, with thyroid.  Your Free T4 result doesn't look "horrible", but then we don't know the reference range, either.  The Free T3 looks quite low compared to most ranges we, typically see, which is a big problem.  

You should also ask to have the antibody tests to determine if you have Hashimoto's.  

Herbal supplements are good for certain things, but if you're low on thyroid hormones, the only thing that can replace them is thyroid hormones.  

It's true that PCOS often goes hand in hand with hypothyroidism and metformin is a standard treatment for PCOS, but again, if one is hypo, that, too must be treated.

You should talk to your doctor and ask to have the TSH along with Free T4 and Free T4 tested again.  In addition, request the antibody tests Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPOab) and Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TgAb) to determine if you have Hashimoto's.  If you have Hashimoto's some believe that a change in diet, along with certain supplements can help slow down, if not stop, the process of your thyroid dying off.  If you have hypothyroidism, you will need replacement thyroid hormones, as OTC supplements will not suffice.

One thing to remember is that if you have a nodule or a goiter (swollen thyroid), it's important not to palpate (rub, poke, squeeze or otherwise irritate) the area, as that only makes it worse.

I'm happy to hear the pain has diminished.

[Mehr0000]

Hello, Barb.
First things first, I'd like to thank you for responding to my query.

It took me a while to reply, and I'm really sorry for that.

So, I looked at my files and I think I did find the test you're referring to; Serum TSH (1.152), Serum FT4 (1.25) and Serum Free T3 (2.70). The corresponding range lies between 0.7-6.4.
(Are these the ones?)

My doctor made me have them an year back, and well with the symptoms I had, she concluded my results as pcos. She did say something about thyroid and pcos being inter related and how they're incurable and told me to take a dosage of metaformin twice a day. I haven't been taking it though for the past three to four months though.
I've also taken some other meds that she'd recommended, but that was about an year ago.

And well, I was referred to a herbal doctor so Ive been taking his meds, which he says is to fight back the insulin resistance.

Other then these, I haven't been taking anything else.

On the bright side, my pain has relatively  decreased and it doesn't hurt that much when I stretch my neck back or when I gulp (even though I have to say that it's still a bit more painful when I gulp). It's not that sensitive anymore or sore. I don't have a fever anymore and my face doesn't feel as if its vibrating. There's no pinging in my ears... so I am a bit relieved.I don't know, but it feels like a good sign... uh, is it?

There is a tingling in my throat now though, which is scary, considering the fact that I've read it to be a symptom for Thyroid Cancer.

This turned out to be a really long message.

Anyway, thanks a lot for the help once again Barb. :)

[Barb135]

I'll answer your last question first... it "is" possible for nodules to change characteristics and for benign nodules to become cancerous, but that's extremely rare and unlikely.  I'd say that's probably not your problem because even if it were cancer, it wouldn't necessarily cause pain.  

It would seem that since the pain started after you had something sour a few days ago, that might be a clue and the problem might not even be in the thyroid.  It could actually be a saliva gland or a lymph node.  

That said, it's possible for nodules to swell/enlarge for various reasons, so we can look at those... The biggest reason a nodule or the entire thyroid might swell/become a goiter is due to Hashimoto's or hypothyroidism.  Do you have diagnosed hypothyroidism, meaning are you currently taking a replacement thyroid hormone medication?  

Do you know if you have Hashimoto's?  In case you don't know what that is, it's an autoimmune condition in which the body sees the thyroid as foreign and produces antibodies to destroy it.  Once we have Hashimoto's, the thyroid will, eventually, stop producing thyroid hormones and we end up with hypothyroidism.  

If you've been tested for hypothyroidism, please post your most recent thyroid blood labs, with reference ranges, so we can see your current status.  We can go from there...