Left breast bigger with thickening.

In December 08’ I noticed my left breast has got bigger (was a C cup now a D cup)and changed in how it feels. It is thicker under my arm and a hard thickness above my nipple about 4cm long x 1 cm wide. I have never had a problem with my breast up until I was dx with a low thyroid in October 08’ I am taking 50mg Eltroxin. Could weight gain have caused my left breast to get bigger? I did gain about a half a stone over Christmas worrying about this but have since lost this weight but my left breast has not reduced in size. Mim

Mim,

Everyone has one side of their body that is larger than the other but because you have also noticed the thickening which hasn’t gone away I think you should go to your GP and at least get it checked out.
Have you tried googling the name of your medication to see if this is a side effect that others have experienced? Maybe it has something to do with your thyroid medication but in any event you need to find out as quickly as possible as, if it is anything untoward, the quicker you find out then the quicker you can get some treatment.

Best wishes.

Hello SuzanneP,

Thank you for answering my questions. Yes I have google my meds and phoned the company asking about reactions to these tablets. They have phone me back twice requesting to talk to my gp. They told me that these tablets do NOT cause your breast to get bigger. To be very honest with you I never noticed a difference in my breast before Dec 08’. It is hard to see when I have my bra off but when my bra is on you can clearly see the problem. Does thickness come and go with your monthly cycle? This thickness is always there. It started off in Dec 08’ the size of a 1 Euro and has got bigger and bigger, the growth has slowed down now.

Mim

Mim,

If the thickness doesn’t go away then you really need to get this checked out. I’ve never noticed any differences in my boobs with my monthly cycle (but don’t have periods anymore) but the fact is that you only noticed this in December and you say it has got bigger and bigger so that doesn’t sound normal to me.

That is over three months ago - what on earth are you waiting for?

I really hope it is nothing untoward or at least a benign condition but you do need to get this checked out as a matter of urgency. If you do have breast cancer the quicker you start treatment then it will hopefully mean the better the outcome.

Why don’t you call the nurses on this site and have a chat to them about your concerns. If you’re frightened about what will happen at the GPs or at the breast clinic they will be able to talk you through what to expect.

Doing nothing is NOT an option. Please get this checked out.

Hi SuzanneP,

I have made an appt to see a breast spec. on the 15th, April. Just alot of things happening in that breast. I have never had any problems with my breast before December. Maybe it is my hormones/thyroid. Thanks again and i hope it is nothing. This is an excellent site. Will let you know how I get on. I cant understand why my left breast has got bigger!Strange.I only have one child(boy) 12 years old, gained/lost weight over the years mainly due to stress of my only child dx at a young age with Aspergers(mild Autism)and never ever had a problem with breast pain/size/shape etc.

Mim

Hi Mim - I’m glad that you have made an appt with the specialist. I went to my GP about 12 months before I was diagnosed because my left breast had got markedly bigger than right, although it has always been bigger but this was noticeable. The GP examined me and said it was hormonal and there were no lumps etc.

I also have a underactive thyroid. Diagnosed about 8 years before and on Thyroxine.

Liz x

Hi Liz,

Thanks for your reply. I have read many sites about a link between Thyroid/Breast Cancer??? My appt is not till 4.10pm on the 15th April so not sure if they will be able to give me all the test, mamo, scans etc. Will let you know how it goes. I cant feel any lumps but the breast has got bigger and the thickening you can feel and is always there never goes away. Cant wear any of my nice bras because my left breat spills over but I can hide this by wearing more supportive bras. What type of breast cancer did you have?

Mim.

Hi all
Just thought i would post a note to say i am waiting for appointment as well and have been put on the mammogram waiting list. Not sure how long that will take. My doc made the referral to clinic but dont think he is taking it very seriously as i only have pain and some swelling on bottom and side of my left breast. Think under my left arm was swollen a few days ago but it has gone now. I understand where you are coming from re this waiting as it is pretty difficult as you feel so confused. But my doc doesnt seem too concerned as there is no lumps or redness just pain and swelling that hasnt went away for around three weeks now. Im 48 so if they they were reallyconcerned they would make the appt quicker hopefully although my doc is a bit of an old codger LOL. Anyway will be thinking of you and understand what you are going through.

Take Care

Bella 1

Hi Bella 1,

I asked my gp to look at my breast while I was wearing my bra before he did breast exam. It was easier to see that my left breast was bigger. I think one cup size but gp thinks two cup sizes. I pointed to my right breast telling him this is what it did look like! The look on has face said it all. He wants all the standard test done including MRI with punch bi. I hope you will be ok. It is a worrying time. I will let you know how I get on. I am 39 the big 40 in July, I will be in Menorca and hopefully with all the all clear.

Mim