Is it a thyroid problem?

[Gentlemanmike]

Hi all

Have been having problems breathing for the last six months which was originally put down to asthma but I was not responding to medication.

Eventually I had a hospital appt last week and it turned out that a thyroid cyst was pushing on my windpipe and causing the issue. This was drained (with rather a lot of blood coming from it) and relieved the breathing.

My question is that I was also diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol at the same time and wondered whether the diagnosis for those two could be incorrect and it could all be the thyroid problem?

Sorry for the long post

Mike

[PinkNinja]

Sounds like you've been through quite a bit, healthwise. I'm pleased they found out what was causing your breathing problems.

The two diagnoses could be correct however they could be a result of a thyroid problem. Given that you had a cyst on your thyroid, it would seem sensible to get your thyroid hormone levels checked just to see. Type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol are both very common in people with hypothyroidism. I imagine it's not unusual in those with hyperthyroidism to have issues in these areas too. Once the thyroid is sorted out, the cholesterol in particular usually improves. There seems to be a better chance of controlling the diabetes too, although I have no evidence to hand that shows that.

I hope that helps a little.

Carolyn x

[Gentlemanmike in reply to PinkNinja]

That's a great help; thank you so much

[shaws Administrator]

Ask your GP to do a full thyroid gland function test, T4, T3 and TSH, also iron, ferritin and folate, B12 and Vit D. The last two are very important.

Always get copies/print-out of your blood test results and keep for your own records. When you get your initial ones, post them on a new question complete with the ranges as labs differ throughout the country and someone will comment upon them.

It's best to make sure as sometimes thyroid gland clinical symptoms are treated as something other than due to the thyroid gland.

Best wishes

[Gentlemanmike in reply to shaws]

I'm back to the doctors today as the breathlessness has returned so I will ask then

[Marz in reply to Gentlemanmike]

My husband was diagnosed almost two years ago at 72 - his only clinical sign was breathlessness on walking up the hill in the village - and general fatigue after a heavy workload ! All the blood tests in range but he did have high anti-bodies - so he has Hashimotos. May be this an avenue worth checking too. We are fortunate to live in Crete where the full Thryoid Function Tests are carried out including anti-bodies. Hope all goes well with the Doc !

[Gentlemanmike in reply to Marz]

Thanks

[Marz]

...it may be difficult to persuade your GP to test for the Free T3 - due to cost I believe. This is the most active hormone and converts in the body from the T4 that the thyroid produces. Asthma is quite common too in people suffering from low thyroid hormones - as it can sometimes be caused by lack of moisture in the lungs. Yes the thyroid does work at controlling fluid levels too...May I suggest you learn as much as possible from the main Thyroid UK website so you are well informed when you meet the GP.

Wishing you well soon.........stay with this forum and you will soon feel the benefits - as I have - and yes I am still learning new things every day....

[Gentlemanmike in reply to Marz]

Thanks to everyone who has answered my post. I feel more confident in seeing my doc today

[Gentlemanmike]

Okay so my current position is that I have had an ultrasound at the hospital and they have said that there are several lumps/cysts on my thyroid that might need action. The hospital have said that these ultrasounds and the initial results of the fine needle biopsy will be sent to the consultant and he will decide the next step. Unfortunately he is on holiday at the moment so my appointment with him is not for two weeks.

In the meantime, I have downloaded the 'Signs and Symptoms of Hypothyroidism' and it looks like I am experiencing quite a few of these symptoms and have been for the last year.

Someone here kindly suggested that I should ask my GP to do a full thyroid gland function test, T4, T3 and TSH, also iron, ferritin and folate, B12 and Vit D.

Should I contact my doctor to run these tests now or wait until I have seen the consultant?