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Swollen lymph nodes and thyroid nodules

Amanda4
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hi there 

i could be completely barking up the wrong tree but I’m worried even though I tell myself not to be. 

A year ago I noticed I could feel a swollen lymph node in my neck. I went to the GP and he referred me to ENT as I had had a couple of night sweats too. 

I went to see the consultant in January and he started making notes that the node was not palpable. I corrected him and placed his finger right on it. He explained to me it was nothing to worry about as young people like me (I’m 37 and flattered lol) might get enlarged nodes due to acne (I had one spot on my cheek). He referred me for an ultrasound anyway.

appointment came for end of June. I got the date wrong and turned up a day late. They rescheduled and my appointment was in mid October. 

3 weeks later I got a letter for another appointment to see the consultant on 6th Dec. I called my doctor and he was able to tell me that the report says several enlarged lymph nodes and several cysts on thyroid. You can now see one of the nodes clearly in my neck and it’s not one I could feel before. The doctor doing the scan told me the ones I could feel weren’t the big ones as there were bigger ones deeper in.

All bloods show normal thyroid function.

so as every human does I panicked. I’m trying work out if the timings and spacing of 3 weeks means it’s obviously not urgent.

so my questions are

what time scales do they work to?

any specific questions I should ask?

anybody been through anything similar?

thank you

Amanda

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    Hi,

    I'm going through this right now. I'm 35. I had a large painless nodule appear on my thyroid. My Dr noticed it and it's pretty big, not sure how I didn't notice. it moves up and down when I swallow. I was referred for an ultrasound and was told I have two nodules. A small one on the left, and a large one on the right with internal blood vessels. He also said one of the near by lymph nodes was inflamed but I can't feel any tbh.

    The radiologist then said I would need a biopsy because of the internal blood vessels made it a bit risky. He said he didn't think it was sinister though and sent me on my way. It was all over in about 4 minutes. It's been a week and no letter. My GP asked me to come in for a non-urgent appointment to discuss the ultrasound results. I asked to speak to her over the phone but this didn't seem possible and the surgery just juggled things around so I didn't have to wait 3 weeks and can see her next week. It's been a week and I've had no biopsy appointment letter so far. My online medical file that I can access currently shows my ultrasound as 'No action needed' - so I've emailed the hospital. 

    My TSH is normal. Thyroid antibodies are normal (sister has Hashimotos). My ferritin is normal but low. My white blood cell count is on the edge of normal, at the low end. I was tested for HIV and thay came back neg. I feel very run down and have low grade night sweats despite the window being wide open. I keep getting colds, stomach bugs, infected cuts etc.

    Did they tell you that you would have a biopsy?

    I think it's hard to tell with spacing and timings. My brother keeps telling me it's nothing because if it was 'they'd have me straight in'. I don't think it works like that. I do think urgent cases get fast tracked but generally things are slow.

    Sorry, I'm not being much help. But it sounds like we have some similarities. I hope your appointment goes well today. Do let me know. 

    x

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  • Offline

    Hi,

    I'm going through this right now. I'm 35. I had a large painless nodule appear on my thyroid. My Dr noticed it and it's pretty big, not sure how I didn't notice. it moves up and down when I swallow. I was referred for an ultrasound and was told I have two nodules. A small one on the left, and a large one on the right with internal blood vessels. He also said one of the near by lymph nodes was inflamed but I can't feel any tbh.

    The radiologist then said I would need a biopsy because of the internal blood vessels made it a bit risky. He said he didn't think it was sinister though and sent me on my way. It was all over in about 4 minutes. It's been a week and no letter. My GP asked me to come in for a non-urgent appointment to discuss the ultrasound results. I asked to speak to her over the phone but this didn't seem possible and the surgery just juggled things around so I didn't have to wait 3 weeks and can see her next week. It's been a week and I've had no biopsy appointment letter so far. My online medical file that I can access currently shows my ultrasound as 'No action needed' - so I've emailed the hospital. 

    My TSH is normal. Thyroid antibodies are normal (sister has Hashimotos). My ferritin is normal but low. My white blood cell count is on the edge of normal, at the low end. I was tested for HIV and thay came back neg. I feel very run down and have low grade night sweats despite the window being wide open. I keep getting colds, stomach bugs, infected cuts etc.

    Did they tell you that you would have a biopsy?

    I think it's hard to tell with spacing and timings. My brother keeps telling me it's nothing because if it was 'they'd have me straight in'. I don't think it works like that. I do think urgent cases get fast tracked but generally things are slow.

    Sorry, I'm not being much help. But it sounds like we have some similarities. I hope your appointment goes well today. Do let me know. 

    x

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