Question: I am a 57 year old female. My last physical and blood work all came back really good in January 2015. I work at a hospital so the blood work covered CMP, CBC, Lipid profile, and Thyroid TSH and T4 (the one that they always want if TSH is low or high). I take Metroprolol 50mg a day, Levothyroxine 50mg a day and until about 6 weeks ago took a low dose of Prempro for one year due to chronic vaginitis and hot flashes. The vaginitis cleared up quickly after taking the Prempro for one month. Recently, I decided to quit Prempro and have been off about 6 weeks. About a month ago, I discovered what I think is a mildly swollen lymph node right under my chin in front around where your neck begins. It moves but has not changed. the size feels about like the size of my fingertip. Some times it feels bigger because I get very anxious about it. I do have a doctor's appt but cannot get in for a few days. I have hot flashes and can feel cold easily. Do not sleep well due to hot flashes. I sweat some with a hot flash but not drastically. I do Crossfit 5 days a week and that is very challenging and sometimes I am pretty tired by the end of the day. I have another lymph node that is in the right side of my neck that I can feel and had checked by the doctor and he said it was nothing to worry about and it has been there about 3 years (to my knowlege) with no change. Neither of them feel much bigger than the round part of my finger (hope that helps you). They both move. My concern is that I do not have any health reason for these nodes to have enlarged. Maybe they have been there all along and I just discovered them. I would like to know your thoughts.

I went to the doctor today and he is not sure what this lump might be. He said it is hard and not sure it moves. He said it is 3-4cm and that I need an ultrasound and possibly a biopsy. The lump is a little to the left side in the front of the neck close to where the chin ends and the neck begins. He is not sure how deep it may be. I have no other symptoms. I do not feel ill. I just ran five miles Saturday and felt great. I do have issues with menopause and feeling hot and cold at times. I get chilled but others at work have their jackets on too. My blood work was really good just in January. Do you have any thoughts that this lump could be..... the big C is what the internet goes to.

Thank you. I plan on doing whatever I need to.

I have the sonogram results and would just like to hear your opinion. The impression: I believe there is a benign appearing lymph node under the chin at the site of the palpable finding just left of midline. This should've followed clinically to be certain there is no increasing in size.

The report:
There is an oval-shaped regular bordered structure with decreased echodensity peripherally an increased echodensity centrally highly suggesting a small Iymph node measuring 8 by 5 by 8 mm. No other abnormalities seen in the area of palpable finding.

My doctor agrees with watching it for growth.

I have another one of those on the right side of the base of my neck and it has been there about three years to my knowledge. It is small and no changes.

What would cause me to have these benign enlarged nodes? I do have allergies. I forgot to tell you I take 10mg Singular daily. I have a constant minor nasal drainage down my throat.

I struggle with whether to have them removed. I do feel healthy so right now I am learning all I can and seeking expert advice. I wonder if I should go to an ENT for 2nd opinion. My worries are lessened at this time. I just do not understand why they are enlarged. It is this normal for some people? The internet reading does not lead me to that conclusion. Your thoughts and advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.