How to reduce the discomfort caused by an enlarged thyroid gland?

Question

I am a 28-year-old male in good health other than what I am currently experiencing. I have been having throat tightness for a couple of weeks now, and I finally went to a doctor's office and had a thyroid panel done, as well as an ultrasound. The ultrasound showed an enlarged thyroid gland. I had a CBC done as well as a BMP. My thyroid globulin antibody came back at 3.0, and my CBC shows WBC of 8.0 lymphocytes of 41.5 (abnormal) monocytes of 7.7 granulocytes of 50.8 lymphocytes of 3.3 of monocytes 0.6 of granulocytes 4.1 RBC 5.66 HGB 17.2(abnormal) HCT 50.4 MCV 89.1 MCH 30.4 MCHC 34.1 RDW 13.0 platelets 261 basic metabolic panel NA 141 K 4.4 CL 104 CO2 28 AGAP 13.4 CA 10.1 GLU 89 BUN 15 creatinine 0.90 BN/CR 16.7 GFR>60. They are trying to refer me to a specialist. But, until then, I am stuck waiting and struggling to sleep at night because my throat is tight. I was wondering if there is anything I can do now to make it a little more bearable. One thing I was wondering is, I live in a city where our air quality has been terrible. I was wondering if it was not just my thyroid but also the air quality. I have had asthma in the past, and I am not currently using an inhaler.

Please help me.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I just read your query, and from what you have mentioned, it appears that you have an enlarged thyroid gland.

Please also mention the size to get an idea of how big it is causing you discomfort because if that is so, it becomes a fast-track case, and you should be admitted as soon as possible.

Regards.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

See if it is enlarged enough to cause compression of your trachea and cause symptoms like you mentioned. Then, in that case, this condition should be taken care of sooner. I want you to attach your ultrasound results here for me, please. Because if it does not compress your trachea, then you can be at ease. These symptoms could be purely due to easily manageable conditions like allergy, sore throat, respiratory tract infection, etc. I hope you get my point. The ultrasound results will show you all what you will be asking for at the clinic.

Regards.

Answer 3

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Thanks for attaching your ultrasound results (attachment removed to protect a patient's identity).Things have become very clear. Thankfully none of your structures adjacent to the thyroid gland is being compressed by your thyroid gland, which is quite enlarged but not enough to cause compression of your trachea yet. Besides, this is a benign condition and potentially treatable, so that is another good thing about this. I am sure you do have discomfort at night due to this, but could you find a sleeping position in which the thyroid does not cause symptoms, like sleeping in a propped-up position using some two to three pillows behind your back and neck, keeping them aligned in one straight line like reclined seated posture, till you are seen by an endocrine surgeon or endocrinologist which I am sure they must be arranging an immediate appointment for you. The air quality you said could be affecting you. Try steam inhalations before you sleep, or a warm cup of ginger tea could help as well. I think if you relax and do not think about it, you might feel better at night. Be positive.

I hope you find my advice beneficial. Let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.

Good luck.