Dismissed by my ENT

[Lexi7121]

If you would help with my question, I will be so grateful.
In march I went for a routine exam and my doc found a swollen lymph node. A few weeks later, I had several more. He ran a slew of blood work--only to find elevated TPO antibodies. Around 200. He dismissed it all as thyroiditis.
A few weeks later, I could feel something in my throat when I swallowed and so I returned to my ENT and he did an ultrasound. He said it was moderately enlarged but no seen nodules. So he sent me home again.
Well I am on month 3 since all this was discovered and my throid has enlarged to where it is visible and  uncomfortable. I still have enlarged lymph nodes in my neck that have not gone down. I am so afraid that it may be thyroid cancer. I just don't understand what is going on and I feel like my doctor doesn't either.
I have no symptoms of hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. My hormone levels were all normal.
What could be going on? Why the enlarged lymph and thyroid? Do I need to worry? Please help!!
Lexi

[mommy2two2008]

I know that feeling, the only doctor I have any faith in right now is the surgeon that the ENT sent me to! LOL - I was only seen by the ENT one time and he told me to call with any problems and he'd "take a look".  Of course, when my entire right neck started swelling after I cleaned my house, I called back and he did not even see me, he sent me to a surgeon.  I got really lucky with the surgeon and he noticed I had all of the other swollen glands everywhere (my ct results are posted from 2 days ago) and prescribed antibiotics.  I guess time will tell if that part gets better.  

You know your body, just listen to it.  By the way, you mention a cardiologist, have you talked to him/her about it?  Thyroid (hyper) can play havoc on your heart, it would be excellent for you to at least check in with that office.  I am not saying you have hyper, it does not sound like it, but it could be a way for you to get further testing on the thyroid.  Your cardiologist would be more prone to test further since it has a great impact on your heart in certain respects.  You thyroid regulates your heart rate too.

Here's hoping you too find answers.  I'll let ya know what the endo says!
~Kim

[Lexi7121]

Thanks for all your help and encouragement.
It sure is frustrating not knowing what's going on, but knowing there is somethign wrong with your body and no one will listen.
I have little faith in most doctors. The only doctor I really trust is is my cardiologist. Why don't they listen?
Anyway-- Hope all goes well with you too and we both get some answers!

[mommy2two2008]

Lexi - I am in the same boat.  I accidentally (which is a good thing I guess) got in to an endocrinologist early on when my "neck was swelling" and he noticed a goiter (enlarged thyroid) I had normal TSH and Free T4, but he did not check my T3.  I also had lymph nodes in my neck that would swell on the right side.  This started the end of March and I was seen by endo on 4/3/08.  They did the ultrasound for the thyroid and it was enlarged on the right.... blood as I said was normal.  It is now June and I still have swollen glands and thyroid.  I take Levothyroxine in the a.m. for the thyroid (I can't say its helping, but at least they gave it to me) and I just finished some antibiotics prescribed by a surgeon (very long story - you can read my posts).  I have, since the onset of this, seen an Endo, an ENT, a GP and a surgeon.  I have had one blood test, an ultrasound, and day before yesterday, a CT.  I am going today back to the Endo to have more blood.  I can really relate about the not knowing and the dismissal of doctors.  I learned yesterday that my ENT "released" me as a patient.  WOW, guess I don't have any more appointments with the ENT.  

My goiter and neck swell with activity and heat and I have gained 10+ lbs, but they said I have normal blood.  I guess we shall see today!

Your antibodies being abnormal would suggest hashimoto's thyroiditis (hashimoto's is autoimmune and does not go away) or it could be just thyroiditis (like a viral infection).  Believe me, it is hard to take, but I am learning to cope.  Just don't let them dismiss you, if you don't get any answers with that doc, move on.  In some instances, a GP could help or better yet, an endo if you do not have to have a referral.  If a referral is required, demand the ENT send you to one.


I am still worried about mine, and that is normal, just keep fighting for an answer and try not to get down!

Wishing you well! ~Kim

[stella5349]

You TPO count is abnormal - but many have alot higher counts. As JAx said thyroidtitis canbe a slow attack on the thyroid and may take some time .

I had RAI a few years back to elimate Graves disease - I had very little testing before being pushed into RAI to destroy the thyroid. I do not believe the RAI induced has killed off the whole gland - hense I know believe that my thyroid at times works more at times and I call it a swinging pattern.

I jump from normal levels fo thyroid production to enlarged swollen gland every month.

It is hard to control - but I am trying to maintain my symptoms as best as possible when this swing pattern is present.

You need to go for regular TPO testing ( maybe every two weeks at most) to monitor the anitbodies.

[jax190]

hi if your thyroid is still getting bigger you will need to go back to your doctor the thyroid swells because the body is producing to much too much tsh (thyroid stimulating hormone) usually because you are hypo have you had your tsh free t4 and free t3 tests done. these may help.  i had a goiter quite early on after being diagnosed hypo and from the first signs of swelling it only took about 3 months to get to the stage where it was affecting my breathing i couldnt look down at a newspaper or sleep on a pillow without it compressing on my trachea. my thyroid had to be removed 2 months later. so it was only 5 months after i first noticed it that i had it removed they can grow quite quick so if your symptoms are getting worse you should go back im sure i read somewhere that it can shrink once meds are started. but dont worry too much it does not mean cancer it just cant cope with too many hormones flying around. but you do need to go back to doctor to keep an eye on the size see if will send you for a scan too check on the size again good luck