Should I see an endocrinologist?

[auntd]

I am a 46 year old woman who last summer (9 months ago) developed a large, painful lump in the front of my neck.  I also had a slight fever and allergy-type symptoms.  My MD ordered an ultrasound of my thyroid, and it was discovered that I had a multi-nodular goiter with one suspicious nodule which was subsequently biopsied.  The biopsy came back benign with follicular cells, and I was referred to an ENT.  My nodule was fairly large (10 mm).  The ENT decided to wait for 6 months and do another ultrasound to see if anything had changed.  Meanwhile, I was continuing to have what I call attacks...where my thyroid would get sore, and I would feel sick for a few days, then it would sort of subside.  Everything I read online led me to believe I either had subactute thyroiditis or painful Hashimotos, but my bloodwork keeps coming back normal.  After the 6 month ultrasound, 2 of my nodules had grown; the one which was biopsied, and a small one on the other lobe.  My family doctor kept telling me my symptoms of neck pain radiating into my jaw was allergy - related, and my ENT has told me I could have thyroiditis, but hasn't done anything to diagnose it, assuming I guess, that it will go away on its own.  It has been 9 months and I am again suffering through another "attack", and am due for another ultrasound in a month or 2.  I am concerned that my ENT will want to remove my thyroid without even trying to treat it, thinking it may be cancer.  Should I see an endocrinologist to get a second opinion?  My thinking is that only an endocrinologist is an expert on this stuff, and maybe the other doctors I've seen don't know much about thyroiditis or Hashimotos.  I'm really tired of feeling sick, and now I've developed this burning mouth syndrome which my doctor and dentist believe is hormone-related.  Could all of this be perimenopause-related?

[Leigh1234]

Don't know if you're still watching this post...what did you find out?

For what it's worth, apparently environmental allergies are extremely common in Hashi's patients. I have the same kinds of episodes. Swelling and pain at my thyroid, feel tired and sick, also muscle weakness at my shoulders. I also have Addison's, and when these episodes get bad enough, they exacerbate those symptoms too (which include hip/leg pain similar to what you've mentioned here).

The episodes have decreased in frequency since increasing my Synthroid dose, just FYI. I'm also on a strict elimination diet for food allergies, which seems to help. Do your episodes get worse with increased pollen or other environmental allergies? Acupuncture is a great treatment for allergies and has helped me a lot.

From what I've read on these forums, nodules can be exceedingly painful, even when they're benign. My mom had tremendous pain with her Hashi's nodules, which came and went on their own, and felt much better once she was on a proper replacement dose.

Hope you've gotten somewhere with all of this by now and are doing better...

[auntd]

Thanks for the encouraging words.  Do you also get achy (I seem to be especially in my legs) when you have your attacks?   I think part of me wants some diagnosis other than cancer, but part of me just wants to feel better:)  Even it it ultimately results in surgery, I'd like to try treatment first.

[rad43]

I have Hashimotos and have some of the same problems.  I also have what I call attacks too where my thyroid feels swollen and hurts.  It will also have stabbing pains and I unknowingly hang my chin down toward my chest because of the pain.  My kids say you have that thyroid thing again don't you.  It usually subsides in a week or so.  I also have nodules, but not nearly as large as yours.  I would get an opinion from an endocrinologist for a second opinion.   I am currently not taking meds because of side effects (heart palpitations).  I am just getting over an attack that was very bad, so I plan to go back to the endo or find a new doctor.  
I feel for you, because I am tired of feeling sick too.  Try to keep positive.