Patient Comments: Thyroid Cancer - Symptoms
The symptoms of thyroid cancer can vary greatly from patient to patient. What were your symptoms at the onset of your disease?
Comment from: Sally, 55-64 Female (Patient)
Published: January 20
My symptom of thyroid cancer was swelling in the neck. This really was of no major concern at the time, but relative tests found it to be cancer. Treatment commenced almost immediately, was hospitalized and treated with radioactive iodine. Treatment was successful and regular follow ups were clear. That was 14 years ago now, still have to have annual follow up and regular blood tests, but all is well. Was this comment helpful?Yes
Comment from: carolleej2, 55-64 Female (Patient)
Published: January 20
I've been sick for two years and out of work for more than one year. I was addicted to exercise. I loved that "exercise endorphin release". But, eventually I stopped getting that endorphin release and exercise made me chronically tired. I began having pain and fatigue all of the time. I got dizzy when I tried to exercise. Instantly I had high blood pressure after being low all of my previous life. Eventually I had edema and excessive sweating, then no sweating at all. After two years of seeing doctors and finding out I have been diagnosed with everything from Rheumatoid Arthritis to Biliary dyskinesia, Vitamin D deficiency, gastritis, lupus, possible sarcoidosis, possible Wegener' s, anemia, generalized pain, pituitary tumor, shortness of breath and lung scarring, blood in urine, mixed connective tissue disease... I could go on and on, but I have thyroid cancer. So, the doctors tell me there is no way my thyroid cancer could possibly be causing my problems. Does anyone have any similar stories? I am hoping with all my heart and soul that once this tumor is gone so will be the edema, lethargy, rashes, pain and discouragement. If anyone can shed light on this, please share. Thank you so much (in advance). Was this comment helpful?Yes
Comment from: WordSorter, 45-54 Female (Patient)
Published: December 01
I had absolutely no symptoms with my thyroid cancer. I didn't even know there were problems until my internist asked me about the lump on my thyroid. I went in for the ultrasound, which didn't show anything, and the biopsy, which was inconclusive. I let it go for several more years until my new family practitioner pointed it out again, and suggested I see a surgeon about it. The surgeon examined me (and it), and suggested I get it taken out, saying that if God wanted us to have lumps on our thyroids, everyone would have lumpy thyroids. I was going to wait on it, but he sat me down with his scheduler before I could get away and assured me that the majority of the cases were benign. He said that given I had no symptoms, there was probably nothing to worry about. Well, that turned out to be false: They opened me up, discovered a folicular cancer with papillary indications (the tumor was more than 1 cm) and took out the thyroid and accompanying lymph nodes. As I like to say, I went into to surgery with a lump on my thyroid and came out of it, minus the thyroid and with the designation "cancer survivor." Was this comment helpful?Yes
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I am 46 years old and since the birth of my child 17 years ago I've had a number of symptoms. I can go down the symptom lists and check off all the symptoms. I have gone to numerous doctors telling them my concerns, only to be brushed off and told, “Eat less, exercise more, don't drink coffee, you're depressed, it's arthritis , perimenopause, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis,” and numerous other problems. I know my body and felt like the doctors had no answers. They have done the routine thyroid tests and all were within normal range. Recently, I have lost more than 40 pounds without trying. The doctors are now finally taking me seriously, but now they think I have thyroid cancer. If you know you're not feeling right and getting pat answers, don't give up. Find a doctor who doesn't say, “I'm not sure…” find one who says, “Let's find out.” I have cancerous nodules that were overlooked. Don't let it happen to you – you're not crazy. You know your body best, so listen to it.