Having ultra sound on thyroid

[Shariece]

Hi I’m new to this was just wondering if anybody else has had a ultra sound scan on there thyroid I’m so anixious and was just wondering what to except my blood results came back as borderline but when my doctor felt my neck she said she would like to have it scanned ??

[Soupp]

The ultrasound 99% of the time will have no comments made as there are usually just cysts and/or nodules in a goitre (slight to a visible lump on the neck ranging from non-painful to "please shoot me"). All you can expect is a bit of cold jelly and the ultrasound stick on top of your skin. Some ultrasound specialists will allow you to look at the screen anyway.

You'll see a lot of grey areas and some round circles if there's anything showing up such as cysts or nodules.

These are benign most of the time.

You can ask questions any ultrasound specialist can answer however. Though the specialist may also just as easily say that it's best to wait for the final verdict from your GP. You can still get a few answers to settle your mind.

(I had a few ultrasounds done over 9 years since I was 16 and it is the least unpleasant thing you can get done regarding thyroid issues).

[Shariece in reply to Soupp]

Thankyou so much for your reply! I guess I’m just very anxious about it all at the minute and don’t know what to expect I’ll wait for my appointment and see how it goes

[Peanut31 in reply to Shariece]

Soupp explanation is spot on.

I had my first thyroid ultrasound scan not so long ago.

The specialist didn’t say much other than the results will be sent to my Endocrinologist, (even though I was paying for it).

It was a very detailed report and confirmed I had Hashimoto’s.

Best wishes

[Shariece in reply to Peanut31]

What is hashimotos ? X

[Peanut31 in reply to Shariece]

Hi shariece

Hashimoto's or Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease, a disorder in which the immune system turns against the body's own tissues. In people with Hashimoto's, the immune system attacks the thyroid. As we know the thyroid gland makes hormones that control metabolism. It also effects the gut and can lead to an under active thyroid.

I have had symptoms for a very long time, one at a time, and not knowing what was happening, then 18 months ago, bang everything thing came at once.

I have extreme coldness all the time

Stiff neck

Muscle pains especially in my fingers

Brain fog

Hearing issues (I can hear my own voice, echo sounds)

hair loss

Dry skin

Insomnia

lack of libido

mood swings

constipation

Weight unstable

worn out all the time.

Tummy cramps.

Best Wishes

[Shariece in reply to Peanut31]

Oh I that’s awful I’ve never heard off that before bless you must be horrendous I have had a lot off thyroid symptoms so I’ll see what my ultra sound turns out to be but my blood results where borderline witch I didn’t quite understand what that meant I’ll get a copy off my doctor and I’ll put them on here x

[Peanut31 in reply to Shariece]

Make sure you get the official copy of your blood results, not just handwritten results or given verbally over the telephone.

The official results will have the ranges as well for each results.

Once you have them make sure that you include the range for each results on your post.

The experienced people on here will help you understand them, and you will find they have more knowledge than your GP or even perhaps an Endocrinologist, I say this, as I have personal experience of this.

If it wasn't for the people on here I would of believed the GP and specialist that this was going to be how my life was and had to get use to my symptoms.

Borderline means you may not be given any medication from the GP as you don't fall in the NHS guideline range or you are just on the very edge of falling out of range.

Since joining this forum and other forums many people on here are not even given medication when they are out of range or the scan shows issues, this includes me.

Even though you are still suffering with all Thyroid related symptoms, they may not help.

They may say go back in six months for a further Thyroid test, meantime you are still feeling so ill.

Oh yes, not sure if you mentioned this, but, the GP may offer you anti depressants or state it is anxiety. My Endocrinologist gave me anti depressants and told me to have more holidays.

I refused to take the anti depressants. My GP over Christmas told me it was anxiety, I had been mislead about Hashimoto's and a TSH of 6 was in range!!!!!. as I felt so ill I didn't have the energy to fight back, but, I told her that a TSH of 6 was not in range and I was being supported by Thyroid UK. Needless to say I am avoiding the GP.

My TSH is now in range and I believe this is due to me going gluten free and taking selenium and looking at my diet, again advice on here not the GP or specialist. However, I've got Hashimoto's so will always have issues without medication.

Some people have had no choice but, to self medicate to improve their quality of life, I'm going to start to do this myself.

If you have to go down this path, people will advise you on here, once you have posted all your results and your vitamin levels are correct and also post your conversations with GP etc. This is the last resort, but if sensible and with plenty of research you may start feeling 'normal' again.

Therefore, you must make sure all your vitamin levels are good, iron, vitamin d, vitamin c etc as this can also effect your moods and thyroid working correctly.

Mine were very bad and I have managed to increase them to an acceptable level apart from my iron which I am still struggling with.

You may have to pay for private bloods as this will give you a full picture of your Thyroid, normally GP's and often the specialist will not do the full thyroid check, mine didn't. I had to suggest this, again advice from this forum.

You will soon learn as I have (a very expensive lesson in Endocrinologist fees) that the GP's and some of the Endocrinologist will not help even if you are still not feeling better as they have guidelines which are quite frankly out of date.

Best Wishes

Peanut 31

[Soupp in reply to Shariece]

Don't worry we were all in your shoes when getting it done but were alright once it was over. I'd recommend wearing a top you don't mind getting dirty though as it will need to get thrown in the wash afterwards most likely. I wish you the best of luck and please let us know how you got on!

[Rmichelle]

Yes it will be ok, 10min procedure- only a slight but of pressure on neck but the sonographer would not say anything about mine, i have nodules and thickening of isthmus, got to have a 2nd one done but im not worried-relax for 10mins and put your feet up.😊

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Increased anxiety is a classic thyroid symptom

Have you got the actual results of your recent “borderline” blood tests?

TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus Thyroid antibodies

Perhaps your GP also tested vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Add results and ranges if you have them

If not, suggest you ring and ask to pick up results from receptionist

[activelazy]

3 times. It's not painful unless your neck already hurts. In my opinion, it's the most comfortable, safe and real time (with movement recording) of all scans.

Again, only if the area to be scanned is not already painful, it's comfortable.

[Shariece]

Thankyou all for replying I haven’t got my results for blood tests but I will ring up and ask for them I’m also on iron tablets and folic acid and antidepressants for my anxiety

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Shariece]

Low iron and low folate are also typical with hypothyroidism, especially Hashimoto's.

Have you had vitamin D and B12 tested too? If not ask that they are

Antidepressants are far too often prescribed for hypothyroid patients. Instead of treating the Thyroid issue

First thing is to get hold of your recent blood test results. You are entitled under data protection laws.

You may be able to view test results online - ring and ask about this. If you can then apply for online access to your account. All GP practices are supposed to offer this, in reality very few have blood test results available online.

If not then ask for print out of recent tests. Pick up in a day or two. They may make a nominal charge for paper.

You need to know results for TSH, FT4 and FT3.

Do you also have high thyroid antibodies? You need to know. Did ever test these? If not ask that they are tested.

Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12.

Always get actual results and ranges.

Post results when you have them, members can advise

If antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).

About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's so it's pretty likely

Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels

Low vitamin levels upset Thyroid hormone working from well

Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten

According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)

But don't be surprised that GP or endo never mention gut, gluten or low vitamins. Hashimoto's is very poorly understood

Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

amymyersmd.com/2017/02/3-im...

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...

drknews.com/changing-your-d...

For full evaluation you ideally need TSH, FT4, FT3, TT4, TPO and TG antibodies, plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested

See if you can get full thyroid and vitamin testing from GP. Unlikely to get FT3

Private tests are available

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

Vitamindtest.org.uk - £28 postal kit

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers.

All thyroid tests should be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. This gives highest TSH and most consistent results

Link about antibodies

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

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/t...

Print this list of symptoms off, tick all that apply and take to GP

thyroiduk.org/tuk/about_the...

[Shariece in reply to SlowDragon]

Thankyou for your reply I have rang up today and will pick them up in a few days I will also see what my levels are and put them on here I know my iron was very low x

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Good for her

[Shariece]

My doctor said I need the antidepressants for my anxiety and panicky attacks I was reluctant to take them but so far I have been ok it’s just the other symptoms I’ve had witch I think is due to the thyroid if that is what I have