I am having pain and trouble swallowing from a possible thyroid nodule. what can i do? what is a nodule and is it cancerous? i have hypothyroidism and am on medicine and am 26 years old

Pain : Pain is not at all typical of a thyroid nodule. Hypothyroidism can be associated with thyroid enlargement but not pain. And 2 conditions can cause thyroid pain with enlargement. One is bleeding into a nodule or part of the thyroid. The other is subacute thyroiditis. Neither of these tends to occur with an underactive thyroid. Most people who have pain with swallowing do not have thyroid as the cause even if they have a thyroid condition. I suggest you see your primary doctor and if not satisfied see an endocrinologist. The link below may be of help.

Thyroid : Thyroid nodules generally do not cause any symptoms but if they are numerous and large in size, then they may cause pressure symptoms such as dysphagia or difficulty in breathing. Pain is not a typical feature unless the nodule is a lymph node and is mistaken for being thyroid in origin (lymph nodes are abundant in the neck area and if inflamed during a viral or bacterial pharyngitis episode, they can be very tender). If its indeed a thyroid nodule that is palpable or visible to the naked eye, then it should be evaluated (typically if above 1 cm, a biopsy is needed). On final note, the chances of a thyroid nodule >1cm being malignant in adults is low and generally less than 5% (compared to almost 40% if in a child/teenager). Good luck. Cayce t. Jehaimi, M.D., faap pediatric endocrinology & diabetes the children's hospital of southwest florida fort myers, fl usa.