Nodular Goitre

[Poblets]

Hello all, I am new to the site and hope you guys can shed some light on my problems. I was diagnosed with a nodular goitre about 15 years ago, it came on quite quickly and happened about the same time as I started an early menopause. In the early days, I had a visit to the hospital consultant once every six months and after 18 months this was stopped as they said the nodules were static. My blood test results were all within normal boundaries so I was considered stable and have had no further treatment. I have over the years been at the doctors for other ailments and every symptom seems to be accredited to menopause. I sometimes feel that if I severed a leg and carried it into the surgery, menopause would be, in the doctor's mind the cause.

At one point, I had intense pain in my neck and went to the surgery and they referred me for a scan, 15 months later I got an appointment, the guy who scanned me was furious with the doctor's surgery for not indicating that my need was urgent, as he said, how can I diagnose a problem that happened so long ago.

I finished the menopause 5 years ago, but I still have all the symptoms of UAT. Prior to the goitre, I never sat still, a UK size 8, I was as fit as a flea, I also used to get regular heart palpitations which only happen very infrequently now. I have turned from constantly active to a knuckle dragging sloth, my basal body temperature is between one and two degrees below normal, I am constantly tired, constipated, unexplained aches and cramps, oedema, I have gained a third of my original body weight to date, I use tons of moisturiser to stop my skin flaking and feeling like there are lumps under the skin, my eyebrows have gone very thin and the hairs that are left look like they belong on Dennis Healey! I snore, for the first time in my life and I am getting short of breath too.

I used to teach in a local college and my ex students failed to recognise me 18 months after the goitre arrived such was the sudden weight gain. I have no idea what to do, I don't feel able to fight the medical professionals its just too depressing. Are there any natural supplements that I could take to help alleviate my symptoms or would you suggest I go back to the GP and insist on seeking a second opinion?

It would be good to know If others agree that I may have a UAT of maybe its something else? I have a theory that if I had had a thyroid function test before this started I would have been at the top of normal results, now I am toward the lower end and stuck with these symptoms.

Any information or suggestions would be gratefully received.

Thanks

[Clutter]

Welcome to the forum, Poblets.

Thyroid function declines with age and menopause and perimenopause can trigger hypothyroidism. Your symptoms sound classically hypothyroid. Ask your GP receptionist or practice manager for a printout of your recent thyroid results with the lab ref ranges (the figures in brackets after the results) and post them in a new question and members will advise. If you haven't had a thyroid test in the last 6 months ask your GP to test. Try to arrange a blood draw very early in the morning when TSH is highest and fast, except for water, as TSH drops after food and drink.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/diagno...