What should you know about painful goitre?

The thyroid sits at the front of the neck, so swelling may feel like pressure, tenderness, or a visible fullness. Pain can occur with thyroid inflammation, sometimes after a viral illness. Thyroid enlargement may also occur alongside Hyperthyroidism or Hypothyroidism, although hormone symptoms vary. Notice whether you have a racing heartbeat, tremor, sweating, heat or cold intolerance, tiredness, constipation, weight change, hoarseness, or difficulty swallowing. A clinician may examine the neck and decide whether a Thyroid Function Test or other assessment is appropriate.

Book a GP Consultation for a new, painful, growing, or persistent neck swelling. Avoid repeatedly pressing or massaging the area, and keep a record of pain, size changes, fever, voice changes, and swallowing or breathing symptoms. Do not start thyroid medicines or supplements without advice. A clinician can review medicines, examine the thyroid, and arrange testing based on your findings.

Seek urgent help if the swelling causes difficulty breathing or swallowing, rapidly enlarges, or is accompanied by severe weakness, confusion, or a very fast heartbeat. Prompt assessment is sensible for fever with marked neck tenderness, new hoarseness, or pain that is steadily worsening.

Could this be thyroid inflammation or another neck problem? Do I need a Thyroid Function Test or imaging? Which symptoms suggest hormone excess or deficiency? How should I monitor the swelling?