No, it didn't restrict my breathing. It had no effect on me whatsoever; I didn't even know it was there. But I know nodules can, depending on how they grow.

Hi Emma,

When I was under the care of a Gastroenterologist, I had a heap of tests to find out what was causing me so much pain. One thing that was identified was very slow transit. The Gastroenterologist did a thyroid test and it came back within range. However, I'm a bit of a researcher and wondered if he did the test due to the fact my thyroid was enlarged. As all was ok, I left it at that for then. About a year or so later, I was at the Doctors and mentioned my thyroid to her. She said it could just be 'fatty tissue'. But, I got an ultrasound and she ordered blood work. My TSH was slightly raised that time and I also was tested for the auto-immune antibodies. I was positive for them (many people are btw and do not have symptoms). I have Hashimotos hypothroidism. I have taken levothyroxine every day since then and my bloods are monitored. The swelling in my thyroid went down within a couple of months of taking them. 

I think my point is, sometimes a thyroid test can prove normal, but on another occassion not so. Also, women are 7 times more likely to develop this (it is not known why). They won't usually test for antibodies unless your thyroid is out of range, but I had an enlarged thyroid for at least 2 years before mine were out of range in the test (as I have noticed it in older photos). 

I think the ultrasound ruled out cancer as there were no nodules. I did get that quickly as I had private medical insurance at the time. So, also, not all swellings of the thyroid are cancer. 

I wish you the very best and hope it is similar to my circumstance where it is sub-clinical hypothroidism. Symptoms for that include hair falling out, low metabolism, tiredness, possible menstrual abnormalities and a whole host of non-specific symptoms............but, treatable. 

Hi Sarah, thank you so much for sharing your story. I am so glad that you now know what is going on. I hope that mine is the same story, I am 99% sure I have it and I have ordered a medi check kit that has come this morning, just hope that I get a diagnosis because it has driven me crazy. I do worry I have left the groitre to grow (not that I knew it was there) and now there is something nasty. Next Tuesday is my appointment for ultrasound so hopefully once I have that I can go from there.

Thank you and all the best to you x

You're welcome. I just thought I'd share an alternate diagnosis, as obviously, on a cancer forum, you will have answers from people who have had cancer and those where it turns out to be something else don't return to the site. 

Waiting for tests and results is a worrying time, for sure. Just try to distract yourself in the mean time. No amount of worry will change the outcome :-). I'm on here because I've just had a referral to ENT due to a lump on my tonsil. I'm hoping it is a cyst. 

Unfortunately, cancer is a daily conversation, as I work for our local hospice and over 60% of our patients are there as a result of cancer. I work out with the public, raising funds, so I get a lot of stories mostly with the worst outcome, but also cancer survivors who like to help others that aren't so fortunate. It can skew the perspective a bit and make me hyperaware!

Hi Sarah, thank you for your kind words. It does make me feel more positive hearing stories like yours.

I am so sorry to hear you are waiting for referrel to be seen, fingers crossed you are seen quickly and all is okay.

What an amazing rewarding thing you do as a job. I can imagine too.