“My daughter has a slight swelling around her throat. Could it be a sign of a thyroid imbalance?”

A swelling on the neck could be due to many reasons. Enlarged thyroid gland can cause swelling on the neck. This is called goiter. It can be caused by either iodine deficiency or by a chronic autoimmune inflammation of the thyroid gland (Hashimatos thyroiditis). Graves disease (overactive thyroid gland) and other medical conditions can also cause enlarged thyroid gland. it is also possible to see mild thyroid enlargement in adolescence (physiological change). Goiter can occur in the face of normal thyroid hormone or abnormal thyroid hormone. Abnormal thyroid hormone can be low or high. A goiter can be with or with out nodule(s). A nodule can be benign or pathologic.
In your daughter's case, the swelling on her throat need to be evaluated to determine if this is an enlarged thyroid gland (goiter) or something else. If this is proven to be a goiter, she will need evaluation to determine if there is (are) nodules. If there is/are nodule(s), she needs ultrasound evaluation to determine the next step. she will also need assessment of her thyroid hormone levels to make sure she does not have underactive or overactive thyroid gland. It could also be enlarged thyroid gland due to physiologic changes (in adolescence).
Talk to your doctor about your concerns. He/she will help you the status of the swelling on her throat.
Good luck

Swelling at the front center of the neck is often due to a goiter (enlarged thyroid gland). Whether or not an imbalance is present (too low or too high) depends on signs and symptoms. Some goiters represent problems within the gland, but the gland itself continues to produce thyroid hormone normally. In cases of low thyroid levels (hypothyroidism), the person may be experiencing signs and symptoms such as feeling cold, dry skin, dry brittle hair, constipation, and even heavy menstrual periods for teens and women. Weight gain might be mild at best, contrary to lore. If overactive (hyperthyroidism), signs and symptoms include rapid pulse rate, nervousness, irritability, forgetfulness, inability to focus, significant weight loss, frequent urination and loose stools. Children may experience a steep decline in academic performance or engage in unprecedented risk-taking behaviors. The best plan is to get a good history and physical examination with appropriate laboratory tests based on what is learned and discovered on exam.

Yes, it could be a sign of inflammation (thyroiditis) of the thyroid gland (goiter) secondary to either hypothyroidism (too little production of the thyroid hormone) or hyperthyroidism (too much production of the thyroid hormone).

Swelling in the throat could be a thyroid imbalance but blood work is necessary to know for sure. I would definitely have her primary healthcare provider examine her.

Yes. You could be describing just neck region fat but if it is a swelling or lump in the front of the neck only, several inches below the Adam's apple region, that is where the thyroid gland is located just under the skin. If the gland is enlarged this is called a goiter. Can be smooth or lumpy, sometimes symmetrically enlarged on both sides and sometimes only one side is enlarged. Thyroid can also have nodules, cancer or cysts but these are much less common than simple goiters. If overactive (hyperthryoid or Grave's Disease), this is a thyroid system that is making too much hormone and can be associated with a goiter. If underactive (hypothryoid) this is a thyroid system making too little thyroid hormone. Common explanations are from an inflammation called Hashimoto's thyroiditis and a blood test can detect this most easily. Questions and physical exam concerning thyroid functions would be important to assess as would be actual blood measuring the thyroid hormones: T4, T3 and the pituitary controlling TSH since this gives detailed information about thyroid function. If any questions, then consultation with a pediatric/adolescent endocrinologist would be appropriate.