Baffled!

[Nelly41]

Hello all, following on from my first post-new to all this- I have had an ultrasound on my neck which picked up a swollen supraclavicle lymph node, thyroid looked normal but my GP doesn't feel it's correct because my blood test shows my thyroid levels are all over the place and there has been a further increase in my antibodies. I have been referred to a cancer specialist to investigate, I'm relieved it's not being ignored but wondered

1) how can my thyroid be so dodgy without causing me any symptoms? I'm also terribly anaemic but I honestly feel fine.

2) is it likely that it's not a supraclavicle lymph node but my thyroid that is swollen?

Any advice and similar stories welcome

Thank you

Nelly

[Clutter]

Nelly41,

I think the ultrasound scan is unlikely to confuse a swollen lymph node with a swollen thyroid gland.

If your thyroid levels are all over the place ie TSH and FT4/FT3 changing rapidly the most likely explanation is autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto's). Has your GP checked thyroid peroxidase antibodies?

[Nelly41 in reply to Clutter]

Hi clutter my peroxidase antibodies were 90.9 on the test 16 days ago and I had repeat bloods done 12 days later and they have risen again but I'm not sure how much by.

Is it possible to feel fine with my thyroid so unbalanced?

Thanks in advance xx

[Clutter in reply to Nelly41]

Nelly41,

If 90.9 is over range you have autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto's) which would explain fluctuating results. There is no cure for Hashimoto's which causes 90% of hypothyroidism. Treatment is for the low thyroid levels it eventually causes. Adopting 100% gluten-free diet can be helpful in delaying progression to hypothyroidism.

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

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

Some people do feel fine when thyroid levels are out of sorts but there eventually comes a tipping point when they feel unwell.

[Nelly41 in reply to Clutter]

Thank you. Yes it is over, the range is 0-34 on my results. I've been referred to a head and neck specialist as I also have the lymph node swelling (that my doctor doesn't believe?!) so I hope they will explain/discover what's going on. Thanks again and for quick response too xx