Thyroid problems

[Howler]

Hi, I have normal T4 and TSH but a benign part cystic / part solid nodule and symptoms of hypothyroidism. ~I am just waiting on an antibody test and then they are going to refer me to a rheumatologist . exercise therapy and antidepressants as they feel I have medically unexplained symptoms and potentially fibromyalgia. (although no one seems to be acknowledging my hair loss). Feel at a loss. Is it worth going private to get some sense?

[Howler]

To add a more detailed version to the about (I was having problems posting) The reason I am posting is because I have been having issues since the birth of my daughter who is now 4. I have been back and forth from doctors with various blood tests all which show me to be healthy. I am 35.

One day several months ago however my doctor discovered a lump on my thyroid. This lump turned out to be part cystic, part solid. Samples taken of both. The solid part turned out to be Thy 2 (benign) and the cystic part was inconclusive due to there being not enough cells Thy 1 (very common and not a cause for concern, the surgeon says). They have measured TSH and T4. TSH level 1.43 and T4 is 16.7 and have advised me that my levels are normal. I have requested them (really hard work to get to this stage by the way) to to the antibodies test for Hashimoto's and T3 to see if there is conversion problem. He (the surgeon) agreed to do the antibody test but would not agree to do the T3 test. They want to check my thyroid every 6 months, which is reassuring. It's really frustrating though as I was explaining my symptoms to both my GP and the surgeon they suggested (pending the results of the thyroid antibody test) to see a rheumatologist before seeing an endocrinologist as it sounds like I have fibromyalgia (ignoring my hair loss), but I have requested to see an endocrinologist first as it just seems like common sense. They aren't having any of it though, so looks like I will now have to pursue the line of going to a rheumatologist. (I wonder what he/she will say about my hair loss ).

Does anyone have any advice? Can anyone see anything here that maybe we have all missed? I feel like 35 going on 80 and having to sleep way too much, take painkillers and running on empty constantly. Body feels like I put it through a marathon all the time. Can't look after my little girl the way I'd like to. Plan was to have another child, but given the way my body is I think that would be highly irresponsible.

Thanks for reading

[greygoose]

It may sound like common sense, but you can forget that in modern-day medicine! Common sense is not their strong point. Besides, with results like that, I doubt an endo would deign to see you. And, if he did, I doubt he'd do anything - they're pretty useless! lol

You are right, you do need your antibodies and FT3 tested to make any sense of anything. But, you could do them privately, without seeing a private doctor of any sort. It would be cheaper and less hassle.

There is a finger prick test you could do that would test your :

TSH

FT4

FT3

TPO antibodies

Tg antibodies

vit D

vit B12

folate

ferritin

That would give you a good idea what's going on.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Make sure you do the test early in the morning, before breakfast, after having fasted over night. Then, if you post the results on here, with the ranges, people will be in a much better position to help you.

[humanbean in reply to greygoose]

The two tests most people on here use are :

bluehorizonmedicals.co.uk/t...

medichecks.com/thyroid-func...

The test bundles aren't identical, but they are very similar :

BH test includes serum Vitamin B12 and standard CRP (C-Reactive Protein)

MC test includes Active Vitamin B12 and high sensitivity CRP.

Other than those differences the test bundles are the same.

If I was doing one of these tests and I had a choice I would choose to do Active B12 and standard CRP. But we don't always get what we want, sadly.

[Howler in reply to greygoose]

Thanks grey goose. I will await the antibody results and go from there. Will need that link I think.

The surgeon did advise that if it was hashimotos, there would be nothing they could do anyway and that I would need to go on medication eventually. Rather confused about that statement, but found out later what he meant was. They won't treat you until your thyroid is pretty much destroyed. So they leave you to suffer basically. Fab. Anyway let's wait and see.

[greygoose in reply to Howler]

Yes, they don't have much clue what they're doing. But, he also meant was that there's no cure for Hashi's. There's nothing doctors can do about the antibodies - although, if they had a little more knowledge, they would realise that the TSH needs to be kept at zero. But, it's really down to the patient to adopt a gluten-free diet and take selenium. But, he probably didn't know that, actually! lol

[Howler in reply to greygoose]

I mentioned about selenium and he admitted he had no idea what I was talking about and when I explained that it helps with t4 convertion to t3 he said 'well you know more than I do about that'. Seriously? Will I have to go under his knife at some point? Hopefully not!

[greygoose in reply to Howler]

Doesn't surprise me. They don't do anything about nutrition in med school, and very little about thyroid and the hormones (sounds like a pop group! lol). Especially not as he's a surgeon. As long as he knows where the thyroid is! That's half the battle.

[Howler in reply to greygoose]

Just had Thyroid antibodies come back at 11.7. I have been told this is normal.

[greygoose in reply to Howler]

Well, it depends on the range. All labs have their own ranges, so I can't say.