Lump in throat

[oshirowanen]

I'll try to keep this as concise as possible.

My wife seems to have developed a lump in her throat which has some swelling around it a little visible simply by looking at the front of the throat.

We have been to the doctor who suggested that she get a thyroid blood test done. The blood test was clear even though she seems to have more or less all the symptoms of an under-active thyroid, i.e.

sensitive to cold
weight gain
constipation
depression
tiredness
muscle aches
muscle cramps
dry and scaly skin
brittle hair
irregular periods
feels something moving in throat when swallowing food/water
feels discomfort and pain in throat
eat aches and ringing

My question is, if the blood test was clear, does that totally rule out a thyroid problem?

A hospital doctor has totally ruled out a thyroid problem based on the blood test results and has booked her for a ultrasound scan.

Was that a wise move, i.e. ruling out a thyroid problem based on a blood test alone?

[Masha B]

I am not an expert in this area, but have heard on a number of occasions from colleagues whom I know and respect that the stardard blood tests for thyroid dysfunction are highly inaccurate. Alternative testing systems based on body temperature measurements exist (such as the one by Broda Barnes) but these are frowned upon by conventional medicine.

Masha

[Energylz]

Originally Posted by oshirowanen

My question is, if the blood test was clear, does that totally rule out a thyroid problem?

Depends on what is meant by it being "clear" and what country you are in.

Did the doctor actually give your wife the levels of TSH and T4? The TSH is the thyroid stimulating hormone, and when the T4 (the thyroid level) drops, the TSH is increased by the body to try and stimulate the thyroid gland to produce more T4.

I can't remember the exact levels that are used, but as an example of the confusion behind what gets diagnosed as a thryoid issue or not... in the UK, if the TSH level goes above 6.0 then you are considered (other tests permitting) to have an underactive thyroid, and if it's under 6.0 then you're considered to be within normal range. (something like 3.0-3.5 is the average normal level). However, in the United States, they use the same scale as the UK, but people in the range 4.5 to 6.0 are considered to have a thyroid issue that can still benefit from treatement, even though it's less severe. So, as you can see, someone in the UK whose 'borderline' or 'just under' the UK threshold level can be told there's no thyroid issue, whereas the US would be treating the same person as if they had a slight thyroid issue. There's no real consistency or agreement worldwide. How do I know this? I was borderline, and told it wasn't a problem but to have it checked again a month later to be sure. I read up on it to find the difference in 'opinions' in the medical community, and discussed it with my doctor, who agreed to try treatment to see if it helped.... and it did.

So, if you don't know the thyoid levels, speak to the doctor and ask what they are, and then research it yourself, bearing in mind that if it is borderline or just over etc. doesn't necessarily mean that the issue is related to thyoid as there are other tests to be done first. Including getting a T3 level check, and other tests for checking out the lump, especially as an underactive thryoid doesn't necessarily mean there will be a visible lump in the throat.

Let us know how you get on.

All Love and Reiki Hugs

[oshirowanen]

Thanks for the replies, we're in the UK. I find that info out from the doctor asap.

In the meantime, would it be worth getting a private bloodtest done, i.e. a private health checkup with bloodtest if such a thing exists?

[Energylz]

Not sure it's worth going private for it unless your doctor thinks so (best to speak to them). Blood test results are returned in a couple of days usually, so going private isn't likely to do anything faster, though of course if you don't think you're getting answers from your doctor you can ask to see another doctor for a second opinion, or ask to be referred to a specialist.

It's best to discuss these things with your doctor, and go private if you feel there's a need to get things done quicker i.e. if the doctor refers you to a consultant but there's a few months waiting list.

At the end of the day it's your choice, and whether you can afford it or not.

All Love and Reiki Hugs

[oshirowanen]

Fine needle ultrasound scan next month. I hope it's just an infection...

[oshirowanen]

Had the scan today and the person doing the scan decided not to use the needle as he said that she just has 2 water based lumps in her throat which is very common and it's nothing to worry about...

Does anyone know anything about the water based lumps? Plus, if it's not a under-active thyroid, why all the symptoms of an under-active thyroid?

[Energylz]

I don't know about water based lumps but they sound like something that can be drained or will drain by themselves. Best speak to the doctor about that.

As for the symptoms... well, some symptoms can relate to many different things, and that's why it's important to get a holistic view of the person rather than just focus on any individual symptoms (which is what doctors unfortunately tend to do). So, if I have a headache, is that because I have a brain tumor? Not necessarily, perhaps I'm just dehydrated, or tired, or stressed, or I've banged my head.

All Love and Reiki Hugs