Labwork normal... but I have swollen thyroid! What's going on? Hashimotos? Please help.

[lyssahblue]

So...I went in with Hypo symptoms in October (hairloss, fatigue et al) and had labwork done, all normal.

TSH 1.41 (No Ref Range listed)

FreeT4 1.0 (Range 0.8-1.8)

T3 Total 94 NG/dL (No ref range listed, but marked as normal)

Last week I thought I might have strep throat but had a painful lump, it's my thyroid.

Swelling has gone down a bit and doesn't hurt nearly so much as it did thank goodness. Still waiting on a call from the hospital to get an ultrasound appointment, but my labwork came back normal again.

TSH 1.26

Free T4 1.1 (0.8-1.8)

Free T3 (T3-RIA) 3.1 (Range 2.3-4.2)

My doc said thyroiditis - which only seems to mean inflamed thyroid. Said he suspects Hashimotos - Can you have Hashimotos with perfect bloodwork? Are these numbers as perfect as they seem to me? I don't understand how I can have symptoms and an inflamed thyroid and all labs are fine.

[Clutter]

Lyssahblue,

Have thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin antibodies been tested? It's not uncommon to have normal labs with elevated antibodies (euthyroid Hashimoto's). The ultrasound scan will show whether there is inflammation or swelling of the thyroid gland and if the surface is coarse and damaged which is typical with Hashimoto's.

Many of us have experienced very unpleasant symptoms with euthyroid Hashimoto's. There's not much can be done about it until you've become hypothyroid and require Levothyroxine but 100% gluten-free diet can help reduce flares, symptoms and antibodies and may delay progression to hypothyroidism.

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

[lyssahblue in reply to Clutter]

Clutter,

Thank you for your response. It does not seem that any tests other than those listed were ordered (I'm accessing the results online and have not yet discussed them with my doctor). I suppose at this point I should make a list of additional tests to have run and bring them up to my doc after my ultrasound. Thank you for the link, I will definitely begin cutting gluten out of my diet. Anything that may help!

[shaws Administrator in reply to lyssahblue]

Blood tests for thyroid hormones should be at the very earliest possible and fasting. This allows results to be higher as food can interfere with the uptake and also the TSH changes throughout the day. Also approx 24 hours should elapse between last dose and the test and take afterwards. Ask for B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folat to be done as we can be deficient.

[elizabethanera]

Hi, I suspect it is possible as it's happening to me. I do think that GP s don't know what to look for, and not all required tests are done. You will have to be persistent. Awful time for you. We are all here for you☺

[Sheepcoat]

Hi Lyssah, I've had symptoms of hashimotos for several years, but bloodwork is always coming back completely normal (I have antibodies and small nodules though). I have seen numerous specialists including gynaecologists, urologist, cardiologist, family planning clinic, and recently a private endocrinologist. The endo didn't think my symptoms were thyroid related but but tested me for adrenal problems and hormones etc. She also tried me on thyroxine and ndt (natural thyroid). Both of them just made me feel like I was going overactive, so then I thought my endo must be right, and that my symptoms aren't related to my thyroid! I then read about someone on here having lupus and symptoms can be very similar to hypothyroidism...so I paid privately for the ANA test which showed up positive! I then got referred to a rheumatologist who did DNA antibodies tests which showed up positive, and have finally been diagnosed with lupus after nearly 7 years of being ill! Apparently lupus tends to imitate other diseases and is very difficult to diagnose from a gp point of view. Perhaps you should ask for the ANA test from your gp? Or pay privately if they refuse to do it. I want to help anyone I can after my 7 years of bad luck. I haven't started my lupus tablets yet but fingers crossed they do the trick.

[lyssahblue in reply to Sheepcoat]

Oh my gosh what a lot to go through! So glad you finally have an answer it's such a frustrating thing. I will definitely put the ANA test on my list of labs to ask for! Thank you so much for sharing and good luck with the new meds!

[Sheepcoat in reply to lyssahblue]

Yes it is very frustrating and so time consuming- I spent my life researching on the internet. Thanks for the good luck wishes and all the best with getting help for your problems.