posted
Hi all, i've noticed that my neck is swollen, and i have been having other symptoms like difficuty swallowing, feel like i have a lump in my throat, my throat feels tight.. i'm going to make an appointment with my pcp tommorow, whom by the way doesn't beleive i have lyme disease, My llmd tests my tsh pretty frequently and it's always normal, but on the low side. I guess m i'm just looking for any advice from anyone who has had this, any info will be greatly appreciated.
Posts: 163 | From maine | Registered: Oct 2003
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posted
I don't have an enlarged thyroid, but I have hypothyroid my tsh is always normal. That is because I have thyroid antibodies that makes my thyroid not function properly. Any dr. can check your thyroid antibodies, I have read that thyroid not functioning is a lyme complaint.
Posts: 24 | From Iowa | Registered: Apr 2006
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"bbinme", Please have it checked out, I had the same symtoms, went to an eye,ear,nose & throat Dr. Thank goodness I did. I had the right Thyroid lobe removed with a solid mass that was attached to the lobe, if I had waited much longer I would of been in real serious trouble (cancer) I'm not saying that's what you have, but better safe then sorry, Lyme can do weird things to the body. Keep us posted, Robin
Posts: 139 | From Panama City, FL., USA | Registered: Jun 2005
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Jill E.
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9121
posted
My Hashimoto's Thyroiditis (autoimmune hypothyroidism) started twenty years ago with an enlarged thyroid with nodules on it, yet my tsh stayed normal for years afterward. When the enlarged thyroid and nodules was first detected, I went through cancer screening and fortunately it was not cancer. But a decade later, I developed fatigue, weight gain, etc., but the endocrinologist refused to believe I had thyroid disease (despite the fact that my mother had it so it's genetic) so I got sicker. A holistic doctor finally checked my thyroid antibodies, and those were off the chart high (similar to what one of the other posters has already told you - the antibodies attack the thyroid). Eventually, the tsh became abnormal. Please have the doctor check the thryoid antibodies. Fortunately, it was easy to treat in my case - my body responds really well to Synthroid.
Also, I presume you are on antibiotics for Lyme. Just remember that any problem with breathing can be an allergic reaction to an antibiotic. It does not sound like that at all with you, it sounds more like the enlargement is making swallowing hard, but it's always wise to make sure a new set of symptoms is not a reaction to an antibiotic.
Let us know what your doctor says. Jill
-------------------- If laughter is the best medicine, why hasn't stand-up comedy cured me? Posts: 1773 | From San Diego | Registered: Apr 2006
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Also having Lyme in the nerves in your throat can make it feel like there's something keeping you from swallowing. I used to choke and sneeze when I ate. This was even after the proper dose of thyroid hormone!
I had that same feeling in my neck as you describe.
Those thyroid antibodies can make your thyroid swell. Even with a "normal" TSH, your thyroid may not be functioning right. A good TSH is below 2, not 5.5 which is what the lab's normal is.
With thyroid antibodies, hormone supplementation may be necessary to protect the thyroid from further damage. A lot of doctors are resistant to treating for hypothyroidism without a "HIGH" TSH. A curse on them!
Try About.com's thyroid website. There's a lot of info there.
Posts: 353 | From Florida boonies | Registered: Nov 2005
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I'm hypothyroid. One of my 10yo twin daughters had a physical with our new pcp last month and she thought her neck looked alittle enlarged. TSH was way up.
Don't know if it is temporary because of lyme or if it is a permanent thing. Ten is alittle young. She is taking levoxyl and the other twin is being tested.
-------------------- When I feel blue . . . . . . its time to take another breath Posts: 296 | From East Coast | Registered: Aug 2005
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I've been having thyroid problems for the last 5 years. I have Hashimomto's, hypothyroidism, enlarged thyroid (goiter)with nodules. I have been taking Synthroid. The problem is that I go from hypo to hyper on the Synthroid.
Kathy
-------------------- You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have. Posts: 807 | From South Dakota | Registered: Jul 2005
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