Good for you, Broadcasting. Your new rheumie is sharp. Likely these thyroid abnormalities have been developing over a fairly long period of time.
They may even account for certain "rogue symptoms" -- if you have any. I'm not saying other diagnoses that you've received are necessarily invalid, however, thyroid abnormalities, when present, can complicate other illnesses.
Thyroid growths (cysts/nodules) are pretty common and often benign. Even when not benign, the majority of thyroid cancers are highly treatable.
One test that's often done on thyroid cysts & nodules found on ultrasound, is followup FNA testing. FNA (fine needle aspiration) is a type of biopsy that obtains cells from cysts & nodules, for lab analysis.
Nuclear medicine tests (thyroid scan; thyroid uptake) are sometimes also done to evaluate the thyroid when abnormalities are present.
If I were in your shoes and if I were able to afford it, insurance or otherwise, I'd get a consult with both an endocrinologist as well as an ENT who specializes in thyroid/neck. These two specialties have slightly different toolkits for thyroid problems.
Do take relevant lab & imaging reports with you to consults, so that tests don't have to be repeated.
Best wishes.
