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Suggest Treatment For Swelling Near Thyroid
Question: I have swelling on the right hand side of my thyroid. It has been there for a few days, is not painful, does not affect swallowing and I have NONE of the symptoms related to goitre. In fact, I swam 400x25 laps this week without any problem at all. Heart rate/blood pressure etc all normal.The swelling is not visible but can be felt, located directly above the inner end of the right hand clavicle. Please advise.
Kind regards
XXXX
Kind regards
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Tests required
Detailed Answer:
Good day,
Noted your concern.
The swelling in that area could be inside the thyroid or outside the thyroid. You will need to do following things.
1) Thyroid function tests: Free T4 and TSH
2) Ultrasound scan of thyroid.
These two tests will decide further course of action. Your GP will be able to assist you with these tests. If the ultrasound shows a nodule in thyroid, a needle test may be required based on the nodule size and character.
Regards
Binu
Tests required
Detailed Answer:
Good day,
Noted your concern.
The swelling in that area could be inside the thyroid or outside the thyroid. You will need to do following things.
1) Thyroid function tests: Free T4 and TSH
2) Ultrasound scan of thyroid.
These two tests will decide further course of action. Your GP will be able to assist you with these tests. If the ultrasound shows a nodule in thyroid, a needle test may be required based on the nodule size and character.
Regards
Binu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Should the swelling prove malignant. I will not accet chemotherapy under any circumstances. What alternative treatments are available?p
Brief Answer:
Non malignant nodules are more common
Detailed Answer:
oh dear, most often these swellings are benign. Even if it is malignant, most thyroid cancers just need removal of entire gland followed by iodine treatment and thyroxine tablets. Chemo is only in advanced thyroid cancer. Please do not worry. I would advice you not to delay seeking a medical help.
Non malignant nodules are more common
Detailed Answer:
oh dear, most often these swellings are benign. Even if it is malignant, most thyroid cancers just need removal of entire gland followed by iodine treatment and thyroxine tablets. Chemo is only in advanced thyroid cancer. Please do not worry. I would advice you not to delay seeking a medical help.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you. I will see my GP asap next week. I value your help. I am generally very healthy and have never had any major illness or surgeryin my life so this has come as something of a shock, especially as I feel fine and if it wasnt for the slight swelling I wouldnt know there was any problem.
Brief Answer:
That would be good.
Detailed Answer:
That would be good. Your GP will arrange for thyroid blood works and an ultrasound scan.
After that, if required, a referral to Endocrinologist may be necessary ( Any of the public hospitals: XXXXXXX Gardiner/RPH or even to a private hospital like St XXXXXXX of God hospital at Subiaco.
( I worked as a junior doctor at St XXXXXXX of God hospital, Subiaco many years ago) .
If you need a needle test, it is very simple procedure and takes just under 10 minutes. Not to worry. Thyroid nodules are slow growing ( including the malignant ones) and treatment is not at all complicated.
Please remember that, many people after the age of 40 years, may have thyroid swellings and less than 1% of that is malignant. However, we need to investigate these swellings. Wish you a speedy recovery
Cheers
Binu
That would be good.
Detailed Answer:
That would be good. Your GP will arrange for thyroid blood works and an ultrasound scan.
After that, if required, a referral to Endocrinologist may be necessary ( Any of the public hospitals: XXXXXXX Gardiner/RPH or even to a private hospital like St XXXXXXX of God hospital at Subiaco.
( I worked as a junior doctor at St XXXXXXX of God hospital, Subiaco many years ago) .
If you need a needle test, it is very simple procedure and takes just under 10 minutes. Not to worry. Thyroid nodules are slow growing ( including the malignant ones) and treatment is not at all complicated.
Please remember that, many people after the age of 40 years, may have thyroid swellings and less than 1% of that is malignant. However, we need to investigate these swellings. Wish you a speedy recovery
Cheers
Binu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks again XXXXXXX One final question for now: is it possible to treat the swelling using meds alone or is surgery also required?
Brief Answer:
Depends on the type of swelling
Detailed Answer:
Many small swellings would disappear in due course and may not need any treatment. Some times, swellings are possible after an episode of Thyroiditis ( thyroid inflammation). Even these swellings may disappear over time if they are small.
Hypothyroidism ( low thyroid hormones) also may cause thyroid swellings and these swellings may disappear with thyroxine treatment.
However, if there is a clear cut nodule ( a well defined thyroid swelling) in ultrasound, there are less chances that they would disappear. And if your thyroid blood works are normal, there is no need of any tablets.
If the swelling is less than 1 cm and if the ultrasound shows benign features, your doctor may opt for conservative management and even a needle test may not be necessary. These swellings are monitored by 6-12 monthly blood tests and scans.
If the nodule is > 1 cm, then a needle test is required.
Depends on the type of swelling
Detailed Answer:
Many small swellings would disappear in due course and may not need any treatment. Some times, swellings are possible after an episode of Thyroiditis ( thyroid inflammation). Even these swellings may disappear over time if they are small.
Hypothyroidism ( low thyroid hormones) also may cause thyroid swellings and these swellings may disappear with thyroxine treatment.
However, if there is a clear cut nodule ( a well defined thyroid swelling) in ultrasound, there are less chances that they would disappear. And if your thyroid blood works are normal, there is no need of any tablets.
If the swelling is less than 1 cm and if the ultrasound shows benign features, your doctor may opt for conservative management and even a needle test may not be necessary. These swellings are monitored by 6-12 monthly blood tests and scans.
If the nodule is > 1 cm, then a needle test is required.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I have just discovered that my mother ( now deceased ) had her thyroid removed when she was only 30 and so there is a genetic factor of which I was previously unaware. If I want to get back to you personally after seeing the GP next week, how can I requestyou to speak with on the website?
Brief Answer:
Possible.
Detailed Answer:
Sorry for the delay in reply. Was bit busy in my clinic.
Yes, some thyroid swellings can be genetic. In that case, it may be worthwhile to check "serum Calcitonin" as well ( please make sure that you haven't taken any anti acidity pills for 2 weeks prior to that test).
You may surely keep this question thread open and write back to me after you the consultation with your GP. Otherwise you may also email the customer care and they will divert your query to me.
Possible.
Detailed Answer:
Sorry for the delay in reply. Was bit busy in my clinic.
Yes, some thyroid swellings can be genetic. In that case, it may be worthwhile to check "serum Calcitonin" as well ( please make sure that you haven't taken any anti acidity pills for 2 weeks prior to that test).
You may surely keep this question thread open and write back to me after you the consultation with your GP. Otherwise you may also email the customer care and they will divert your query to me.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks XXXXXXX Duly noted. I thought the thread could only be kept open for 3 days but if I can arrange to speak with you again thats fine. Thanks again for your help. Much appreciated. Will get back to you when know more. I
Brief Answer:
PPlease feel free to contact me
Detailed Answer:
Hi there is an option to re open this discussion. Please feel free to contact me in the future.
Regards
Binu
PPlease feel free to contact me
Detailed Answer:
Hi there is an option to re open this discussion. Please feel free to contact me in the future.
Regards
Binu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks XXXXXXX I certainly will Best Wishes XXXX.
Brief Answer:
Mail me later after meeting GP
Detailed Answer:
Good day.You may please close this query and re open the converstion later when required
Mail me later after meeting GP
Detailed Answer:
Good day.You may please close this query and re open the converstion later when required
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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