My doctor just informed me that my thyroid glands are swollen. what steps should i take for treating this? is it permanent?

Usually temporary: The swelling will usually resolve over time. Antii-inflammatory drugs may help to relieve pain if present. Steroids (cortisone) are sometimes given, but the swelling and inflammation can return when the rx is stopped. Check w/your doctor. It's not permanent, but it can damage the thyroid which may eventually become underactive.

Blood test/Sonogram: You need to have thyroid blood tests, to check function( thyroid levels: tsh, t3u, t4) and thyroid antibodies, to differentiate the cause of your thyroid enlargement, may be a sonogram and may be a thyroid scan. One step at a time under your doctor's supervision. Then you will have an answer.Most of the time is treatable and curable.