A thyroid mass is any lump or growth in the butterfly gland in your neck. Most are harmless, but all can make their presence felt.

Neck lump is the star. You notice a bump at the base of your throat that moves up when you swallow.

Tight-collar feeling is common. The mass pushes on your windpipe, so shirts feel snug even though the collar size hasn’t changed.

Hoarseness creeps in. Your voice sounds raspy or deeper, and clearing your throat doesn’t fix it.

Swallowing catches. Pills or bread feel like they stick for a second, especially when you look up.

Pain is rare but can shoot into your ear or jaw if the mass grows fast or bleeds inside.

Late signs include a hard, fixed mass, rapid heartbeat, or weight loss—an alarm that the mass may be cancerous.