Ask The Doctor

Dear Ask The Doctor: I have had something bothering me for the past few weeks and haven't been luck in getting in to see a doctor yet, so I found this site and am hoping for the best. It feels like something is pressing in on my esophagus and I am familiar with this feeling because back in 1993 I learned I had a nodule on my right thyroid lobe that was growing fast and pressing in on my gland. It was removed along with the right half of the gland itself. The nodule was benign. Is it possible the other half can have this same thing starting to happen? I have been on Synthroid ever since 1993 now. Thank you so much.

Dear Dana: It is possible that the remainder of the thyroid gland has become enlarged and is causing the sensation that you are experiencing.  This is a relatively common scenario following thyroid surgery for benign disease. Synthyroid is usually given post thyroid surgery to supplement the hormone production that is lost when part or all of the gland is removed. It also reduces the likelihood that the remainder of the gland will enlarge.

To confirm if the swelling in your neck is the thyroid, your doctor will do an ultrasound. An ENT surgery will then determine the best course of action from there.