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How Should Swollen And Painful Thyroid Along With Radiating Pain In The Head Towards The Jawline Be Treated?

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Posted on Mon, 25 Jul 2022
Question: I had an ultrasound after my thyroid was swollen and painful even though taking levothyroxin regularly for years. First ultrasound several nodules both sides, 2 to 5 centimeters. Got a fine needle aspiration, she said no cancer, did two of the nodes because they looked comprised of different matter/density. Extreme pain and swelling after both the ultrasound and the biopsy. No anesthesia with the biopsy. Still getting more painful and swollen after massive intake of ibuprofen (800 mg for a while). New ultrasound by different person said hypoechoic heterogenous thyroid (dense and irregular). I can't find anything anywhere that says what the treatment for this would be, so I continue with pain, swelling, and choking sensation. Ultrasound tech asked if I was allergic to Lidocaine. Said no, and that the FNA they didn't use anything. Realized later that the dentist had put about 20 shots into back of mouth trying to get me numb between the FNA and the last ultrasound. Have suspended additional dental work while trying to resolve this. Past issues: Gray hair from my 20s, ridiculous periods since about 2 years (started the thyroid med and had surgery for fibroids but this has only gotten worse, it's like 9 days of a miscarriage every half hour each month. (blood clots larger than thumb and soaking through multiple pads and my pants etc. every half hour for days). Took Iron 65 and a B12 supplement in case I was getting anemic when my arms started tingling from the fingers up last Friday. If it had only been the left side I would've gone to ER. But nurse line said both arms go to regular doctor. But I couldn't get an appointment until late next week. Arms still tingling, it's been a week. This is scary to me but nobody seems to think if I'm not dying on the spot that having an unbearable life is an issue. Note that I have pain when I turn my head and pain that radiates up jawline to ear in addition to local thyroid pain.



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Is there any treatment available for any of this? I have spent months and months of tests and thousands of dollars, yet received no treatment whatsoever. If there is no treatment I am just going to kill myself, because I can't keep living like this.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Mirjeta Guni (18 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
About probable thyroid diagnosis

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

The information you provided is only about thyroid structure but the actual thyroid function is not described (your latest TSH level).
The ultrasound characteristic's described above are suggestive for 2 pathologies; chronic autoimmune thyroiditis (that usually is not painful and is treated with levothyroxine) or subacute thyroiditis (a viral infection of the thyroid gland that is painful and may last for months).

Or probably it has been chronic thyroiditis and subacute thyroiditis is superposed.
Your physician will require some blood test to make the above mentioned diagnosis ( TSH, AntiTpo, AntiTg, full blood count, ESR) and than decide for the treatment.
So, you may discus with your treating physician about the above mentioned diagnosis and do further tests.

Hope the information will help.
Regards,
Dr. Mirjeta


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Brief Answer:
About thyroid pathologies treatment

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

For the subacute thyroiditis there is a treatment (we usually suggest corticosteroids and the pain is improved immediately) meanwhile in chronic autoimmune thyroiditis only levothyroxine is available but it is very important to be sure that you are taking the right dose depending on TSH level.

Regards,
Dr. Mirjeta
Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy
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Answered by
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Dr. Mirjeta Guni

Endocrinologist

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 2414 Questions

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How Should Swollen And Painful Thyroid Along With Radiating Pain In The Head Towards The Jawline Be Treated?

Brief Answer: About probable thyroid diagnosis Detailed Answer: Hello, The information you provided is only about thyroid structure but the actual thyroid function is not described (your latest TSH level). The ultrasound characteristic's described above are suggestive for 2 pathologies; chronic autoimmune thyroiditis (that usually is not painful and is treated with levothyroxine) or subacute thyroiditis (a viral infection of the thyroid gland that is painful and may last for months). Or probably it has been chronic thyroiditis and subacute thyroiditis is superposed. Your physician will require some blood test to make the above mentioned diagnosis ( TSH, AntiTpo, AntiTg, full blood count, ESR) and than decide for the treatment. So, you may discus with your treating physician about the above mentioned diagnosis and do further tests. Hope the information will help. Regards, Dr. Mirjeta --------------------------------------------------------------------- Brief Answer: About thyroid pathologies treatment Detailed Answer: Hi, For the subacute thyroiditis there is a treatment (we usually suggest corticosteroids and the pain is improved immediately) meanwhile in chronic autoimmune thyroiditis only levothyroxine is available but it is very important to be sure that you are taking the right dose depending on TSH level. Regards, Dr. Mirjeta