What is a palpable thyroid?

Question

I went to the allergist the other day and he said I have a palpable thyroid.

What does this mean?

Answer 1

A thyroid nodule is a palpable swelling in a thyroid gland with an otherwise normal appearance. Thyroid nodules are common and may be caused by a variety of thyroid disorders. While most are benign, about 5 percent of all palpable nodules are malignant.1-4 Many tests and procedures are available for evaluating thyroid nodules, and appropriate selection of tests is important for accurate diagnosis. Family physicians should have a cost-effective method of differentiating between nodules that are malignant and those that will have a benign course. This article provides a method for the outpatient evaluation and treatment of thyroid nodules.

Answer 2

the normal thyroid gland rest at the spot just below the adam's apple. if u apply ur palm at this site u will no feel any different swelling across ur wind pipe, this is because the gland is thin and stretched.
the thyroid becomes palpable whenever it enlarges in size because of goitre or nodules rarely cancer.
when the doc is able to feel ur thyroid gland separately its a "palpable thyroid"

Answer 3

When a doctor palpates something, they are feeling for it physically. Have you ever heard the expression "the tension in the room was almost palpable".

If the doctor could feel the thyroid, chances are it would be swollen. So my guess is you have a swollen thyroid. You might need to get a hypoglycemia test (you could be sensitive to sugars, etc)

Answer 4

Often, the search for thyroid disease is prompted by an abnormal finding during physical examination or an incidental finding during unrelated imaging of the neck or upper mediastinum. Because such a finding is common, an efficient and cost-effective approach is important.

The thyroid gland is located low in the neck, within the pretracheal fascia. Therefore, movement of the thyroid with swallowing is characteristic and helps distinguish it from other neck masses. The thyroid should be inspected in good light, with the neck moderately extended, looking for such characteristics as size, shape, consistency, and the presence of nodules and tenderness.

Palpation is not always easy, especially in patients with a short neck, because the gland lies anterior to the chest, behind the strap muscles and sternocleidomastoid muscles. In addition, senescent changes in the cervical spine can shift anatomic locations, often hiding the gland behind the manubrium of the sternum. Therefore, examination of the thyroid by palpation from the back of the neck alone may be incomplete. Palpation from the front should also be included. Using the thumb of one hand to stabilize the trachea laterally facilitates contralateral examination of the gland (figure 1: not shown).

The purpose of physical examination of the thyroid is to determine if the abnormality is diffuse enlargement of the gland (eg, in Graves' or Hashimoto's disease) or one or more nodules and whether nodules are unilateral or bilateral. (Physical examination findings that suggest thyroid hormone excess or deficiency are not included in this article.) The following three questions should be addressed when palpable abnormality is detected: (1) Is thyroid dysfunction present? (2) If a nodule is present, is it malignant? (3) If a goiter is large or multinodular, is it causing obstructive problems?

Is thyroid dyfunction present?
An understanding of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroidal axis (figure 2: not shown) and of control of thyroid hormone production is necessary to comprehend and interpret results of common thyroid tests. Thyroxine (T4) released from the thyroid travels in a classic negative-feedback loop to the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland. Thyrotropin (TSH)-releasing hormone (TRH) from the hypothalamus stimulates pituitary production of TSH, which subsequently stimulates production of thyroid hormone by the thyroid gland. Triiodothyronine (T3) is the biologically active form of the hormone. Intrapituitary and central nervous system conversion of T4 to T3 results in inhibition of TRH and TSH and subsequent reduction in production of thyroid hormone by the thyroid gland.

Answer 5

It means they can feel your thyroid gland. Did they tell you to follow up with your primary doctor? If you do he will most likely take a blood sample and test your TSH: Thyroid stimulating hormone. This will let him or her know if you thyroid is functioning normal and if he needs to do any other tests.

Answer 6

Actually, I can feel the thyroid gland on most patients. I think he meant your gland is a bit enlarged. This can be a simple goiter thyroiditis or hyperthyroidism. I am sure he is checking out all that.