Diffuse thyroid swelling, hypo symptoms but normal TSH, TPoAb and no vitamin/mineral deficiencies.

[Bushbaby83]

Hi all,

My TSH is 3.13 and my antibodies are 7.4 IU/ml so both within the normal range. However, my doctor felt my thyroid and said it was swollen and I also have a slight cough for no reason and need to keep clearing my throat. Sometimes I go hoarse from time to time.

What made me visit the doctor in the first place was hair falling out (eyelashes and head), unexplained weight gain, incredibly itchy, flaky scalp even after medicated shampoo, joint and muscle aches and pains, extreme fatigue, constipation and I also have physiological signs of hypo in that my BP is normally 94/63, pulse is usually between 46&55 BPM and my body temp is around 34/35 degrees first thing in the morning. My periods are all over the place, anything from 25-36 days. Used to be 28 on the dot! I've also suffered bouts of depression for no obvious reason. I have a swollen scalloped tongue, puffy dry gritty eyes and often get foggy headed and forgetful.

Is there anything else that could be causing these symptoms? Is there anyone else I can see to help me decipher what is causing these symptoms? Is this just the way I am and therefore have to manage the feelings of exhaustion and other issues?

Thank you in advance for your help.

[Clutter]

Bushbaby83,

Hypothyroid symptoms can precede abnormal TSH by years. NHS doesn't diagnose hypothyroidism until TSH is over range. Ask your GP to test ferritin, vitamin D, B12 and folate as low/deficient levels can cause symptoms which mimic hypothyroid symptoms.

You could supplement 200mcg selenium and take an over the counter thyroid supplement like NutriThyroid to see whether symptoms improve.

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I am not a medical professional and this information is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice from your own doctor. Please check with your personal physician before applying any of these suggestions.

[Bushbaby83 in reply to Clutter]

Hi Clutter,

Thank you for the reply. I have never heard of nutrithyroid so will give it a try.

[Clutter in reply to Bushbaby83]

Bushbaby83,

Some members have found NutriThyroid helpful. It is thought it contains some active T4 but because it is sold as an over the counter supplement it is not measured.

[Hillwoman]

Your symptoms are typical of hypothyroidism, but all the nutrients Clutter mentions need to be checked - they are very important for health.

B12 deficiency, in particular, can cause similar symptoms to hypo-T. Serum B12 needs to be high in range, or even over it (high B12 levels are not dangerous), to prevent certain problems from occurring. Your GP won't know this though. For more info, head over to the Pernicious Anaemia Society's forum on HU. They have some very useful pinned posts. Members will answer queries on B12 deficiency of any origin, not just PA.

[Bushbaby83 in reply to Hillwoman]

Hi Hilwoman,

The doctor tested me for the following:

Serum Ferratin: 47 ug/l (13-150)

Serum vitamin B12 level: 500ng/l (197-771)

Serum folate: 13.6 ug/l (4.6-18.7)

[Hillwoman in reply to Bushbaby83]

Your ferritin is rather low, and you may be feeling the effects of that. You could try eating liver a couple of times a week, or take a supplement that's easy on the stomach, like Solgar Gentle Iron. Your B12 could do with being at the top of the range. Some people need to push it even higher.

Edit: meant to add that Clutter's suggestion of selenium and Nutrithyroid is a good one. The latter is a thyroid support supplement - it may help by itself, or give you an idea whether you need replacement medication.