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Nelly41 profile image
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Hello all

Last week I found out my GP thinks I have an underactive thyroid. I went to see him due to a large swelling above my right collarbone. Blood test results are

Free T4 11(8-21)

TSH 5.12 (0.35-3.5)

antibody 90.9 (0-34)

Ferritin 7 (23-300)

B12 329 (130-1,100)

Any way the swelling has been up and down, at its worse it presses on my windipe but when reduced is barely noticable. I assume its normal for swelling to fluctuate?

I wouldn't have said I was suffering from any common symptoms before diagnosis but today I feel very strange- lightheaded and my eyes seem to take a while to focus. Thankfully its my day off work.

Tomorrow I am having an USS of my neck, any advice re coping until I start medication and or questions to ask at scan much appreciated.

Nelly

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Nelly41
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Clutter profile image
Clutter

Nelly41,

Your are hypothyroid with TSH over range and thyroid antibodies are positive for autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto's) which caused 90% of hypothyroidism. There is no cure of treatment for Hashimoto's. Levothyroxine treatment is for the low thyroid levels it causes. Many people have found that 100% gluten-free diet is helpful in reducing Hashi flares, symptoms and eventually antibodies.

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

Sometimes taking Levothyroxine will help reduce the swelling of the goitre.

The scan is painless and non-invasive. Make sure to wear something allowing access to your throat, neck and upper chest.

Nelly41 profile image
Nelly41 in reply to Clutter

Thank you!

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

Nelly41 Supplementing with Selenium L-selenomethionine 200mcg will also help reduce antibodies.

Your ferritin is dreadful at 7 (23-300). It should be half way through it's range. Ask your GP to carry out a full iron panel and a full blood count. You could possibly have iron deficiency anaemia. You may need iron infusions to bring your level up quickly then a maintenance dose will be needed. If youou are given iron tablets then take each tablet with 1000mg Vit C to aid absorption and help prevent constipation.

Your B12 is low at 329. Anything under 500 can cause neurological problems. Recommended level is very top of it's range, even 900-1000. You can buy some Solgar sublingual methylcobalamin lozenges 5000mcg and take one daily. When the bottle is finished (60 lozenges) buy the 1000mcg dose and take one daily as a maintenance dose.

When taking B12 we also need a B Complex to balance the B vits. Thorne Basic B is a good one.

Did you have Vit D tested? As the other nutrients are low, your Vit D stands a good chance of being low too.

Nelly41 profile image
Nelly41

Really appreciate all your knowledge, will be prepared for when I see GP again. Thanks muchly xx

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