A swelling or enlargement in the neck is a visible clue that something may be wrong with the thyroid. A goiter may occur with either hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. Sometimes swelling in the neck can result from thyroid cancer or nodules, lumps that grow inside the thyroid.
The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped organ located in the lower front of the neck. It's just above your clavicle (collarbone) and below your larynx (voice box). Growths on the thyroid can be nodules and goiters or thyroid cancer.
The main symptom of thyroid cancer is a lump or swelling at the front of the neck just below your Adam's apple, which is usually painless. Women also have Adam's apples, but they're much smaller and less prominent than a man's. The lymph nodes in your neck can also be affected and become swollen.
However, some common symptoms of thyroid problems include: Feeling tired or lacking energy even after getting enough sleep. Sudden weight loss or weight gain that cannot be explained by changes in diet or exercise. Mood swings, irritability, anxiety, or depression.
The lack of thyroid hormones can cause disturbances in your metabolism, including your heart rate and body temperature. Fatigue, sensitivity to the cold, constipation, dry skin, and unexpected weight gain are among the main symptoms.
You feel warmer than usual, or overheated. Hyperthyroidism can make you feel warmer than usual. If you are wearing shorts and a T-shirt when everyone else is bundling up, this could be a sign of an overactive thyroid. You may also notice that you feel especially overheated after even mild exercise or exertion.
Thyroid nodules can cause neck pain. Rather, these growths may cause discomfort at the base of the throat. This is where the thyroid gland is located, just under the Adam's apple.
Sensitive Skin and Skin Discoloration
Thyroid hormones also influence the quality of your skin in various ways. For example, with hyperthyroidism, you may notice itchy and dry patches of skin. Your face may feel softer and swollen. You may even notice swelling around your fingertips.
Stage 1 means the cancer is only inside the thyroid and is up to 4cm across. It hasn't spread to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body.
Thyroid cancer develops in your thyroid gland, a part of your endocrine system. Your thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate body temperature, heart rate and metabolism. Most thyroid cancers are highly curable. Treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy and radioiodine therapy.
With thyroid fatigue, you may feel like you can't get through a day without a nap. You may sleep more than usual but still feel completely exhausted. You may not even have the energy to exercise. At times, you may fall asleep during the day or very quickly at night.
Thyroid nodules. Enlargement of the thyroid can expand the gland well beyond its typical size and cause a noticeable bulge in the neck. This can be caused by single or multiple nodules (lumps) in the thyroid or by an autoimmune process.
Weight gain
Even mild cases of hypothyroidism may increase the risk of weight gain and obesity. People with the condition often report having a puffy face as well as excess weight around the stomach or other areas of the body.
The main symptom of a goitre is a swelling at the front of the neck, which is usually painless. A goitre usually appears at the lower front of the neck. Goitres may look and feel either smooth or lumpy. The swelling may sometimes just be on 1 side of your neck.
The hives appear as swelling or welts, also known as wheals. They are pink and usually accompanied by an itching or burning sensation. They occur on the back, chest, buttocks, face, and neck. Sometimes, hives may affect the arms or legs, especially the upper arms and thighs.
For most people, this cough is a dry, hacking sort of cough.” In addition to cough, thyroid growth can lead to pressing on the vocal cords and a hoarse voice, or pressing on the esophagus and difficulty swallowing food. You may also notice swelling or pain in the front of your lower neck, and even into your ears.
People with hypothyroidism may also have headaches, including pulsing pain, on both sides of the head. In most cases, the headaches subside after the person receives effective treatment for hypothyroidism.
A swollen fingertip, curved nail, and thickening skin above a nail are often signs of thyroid disease.
It is located in the lower, front part of the neck and contains two lobes, the left lobe and the right lobe. Like any other cells in the body, the cells in the thyroid gland have the potential to become cancerous. Signs of cancer in the thyroid are not always obvious.
Symptoms of thyroid nodules
For people who do have symptoms, they may have trouble swallowing or breathing or have a feeling of fullness, pain, or pressure in the throat or neck. Some people might notice a lump in their neck when they look in the mirror, but this is uncommon.
Definition. Silent thyroiditis is an immune reaction of the thyroid gland. The disorder can cause hyperthyroidism, followed by hypothyroidism. The thyroid gland is located in the neck, just above where your collarbones meet in the middle.
The Thyroid/Energy Link
Low serotonin levels are linked to depression, anxiety, and mood. When your thyroid is not functioning properly, these neurotransmitters become erratic, potentially causing anxiety and panic attacks.