About Karen Brawner Expertise I will answer any questions you have regarding the thyroid whether it be cancer, cysts (types), hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, blood tests for thyroid problems, surgery, fine needle biopsies etc...
Experience My complex cysts on my right thyroid gland and the isthmus were found my accident when my doctor thought I was having a TIA. The ultrasound found a complex cysts the size of a golf ball (which turned out to be the size of a tennis ball when it was surgically remove). Doctors were totally surprised because for 5 years, including the day I went to surgery, all of my thyroid blood work was "within the normal range". So much for blood work being conclusive..
Thyroid Problems - lump on left side of neck close to thyroid gland
Expert: Karen Brawner - 2/8/2006
Question Hi i am so frustrated i have been shipped from doctor to doctor. I went to my general doctor to have her check a lump on my neck its hard and moves a little but is located towards the back of where my thyroid gland is.. She sent me to an ENT he confirmed he felt it looked down my throat with a mirror (boy was that terrible) then sent me to a ct scan and blood work for tsh everything came back normal.. Now he says if its still there in three monthes come back! He says he feels it but does not know what it is! I have no idea what to do! i did have thyroid problems after i had my first child i was put on synthroid and then after a year my blood work came back fine.. any suggestions this doctor told me i could try a gastrenoligst? thank you so much for your advice! angela
Answer Dear Angela, It sounds like you got an endocrinologist who is too busy to take time with you.... I don't know why he would use a ct-scan for thyroid or neck problems... He or your general doctor should have sent you for an ULTRASOUND of the neck to check for a problem with the lymph nodes or to see if there were any cyst, nodules or masses directly on the thyroid glands or in the lymph nodes....
I would suggest that you FIRST get a copy of the ct-scan that was taken from the hospital or clinic where you had it done... You do this by going to the medical records department of that hospital or clinic and signing a Medical Release form so these radiology reports will be released to you... When you get them, read them over and if you don't understand what they say, then get back to me with everything at is written on the report... SECONDLY, go back to your general doctor and ask her to schedule you for an ultrasound to be done on your neck including the thyroid glands and all the lymph nodes on both sides of your neck, even though it is the left side that is giving you the problem now... This way you will have ultrasound images for BOTH sides incase something happens in the future with the right....
THe TSH blood test is truely the MOST unreliable test for thyroid problems because the normal range for most labs is 2-6 and unfortunately what is with normal range for one person still means that there could be cysts, nodule, masses etc and this is why an ultrasound must be done...
