One swollen Tonsil and Hypo

[melmstephens]

Hi all - Very happy to have found this group. The first I have ever really joined medically. I usually just read and leave.

Little bit about me and what is going on.

I had terrible acne for my entire life and IBS. My brother has Chrones disease. Nothing treated my acne not even acutane after three tries. I worked out and never lost weight I was moody etc. Finally was diagnosed with Hypothyroid and I am on 100 of lyvothyrxine I believe. I was told I have PCOS and was given the mirena IUD two years ago. Things started to get weird. Long very upsetting story short I started to have crazy symptoms. Chronic itching vulva, pain in my arms, dizzy, fatigue, bloating, Throat and chest infections, and everyone kept saying none of it was connected to the mirena or the IUD. I was passing out and couldn't feel my face. I took the Mirena out and all things went away and all of these woman I spoke too had similar symptoms on the Mirena that mimicked auto immune disorders. Since that time where I was sick I gained a enlarged right tonsil that never went down. I had it scanned it has been with me for about a year. I am now seeing a specialist to see what is going on. It seems to flare up during different times. I am not sure if it is connected to my thyroid or PCOS or diet. But what I have learned is it's never not connected. If anyone has any thoughts let me know. I have not been tested for antibodies yet and will be doing that soon.

[Mary-intussuception]

Yes, ask for blood test for Thyroid Antibodies TPO and Tg.

Have you ever had blood test to check levels of following nutrients: Vitamin D, Calcium, B12, Folate and Ferritin? If not , you could ask for them also.

We're you happy with your last Thyroid blood tests results?

Did you have an Ultrasound scan of your Thyroid?

I don't have my tonsils (removed on childhood). However have had a lot of throat and Oesophageal problems.

Have you had an MRI of your throat/neck yet? I'm getting the results of my last one next week.

Hope the Specialist can find out what's going on and reassure you.

x🐥

[melmstephens in reply to Mary-intussuception]

I have had an ultrasound of my throat. Nothing looked abnormal supposedly. I thought the lump was my thyroid but it was my tonsil. It seems to flare up when I talk a lot or near my period which makes me feel like something hormonal is happening. The specialist said he wanted to keep an eye on it. He said that it could be because of scar tissue formed and not going down from when I was sick with the IUD. He also said maybe reflux.... I dunno. I had a recent scan of my throat I think MRI.... The specialist outside of insurance said it looked enlarged but no masses. The ENT through my insurance called and said looked fine.

My thyroid I have had for a while and it's been a while since I really trusted someone and they so often never test anything but the TSH. My range was normal last time it was tested. I am going to schedule a visit and ask for the antibodies TPO and TG... I am going to write this down and ask for those nutrients to be tested. About nine months ago when I was really sick they tested a lot of things. I remember my B12 was high.

Enlarged right tonsil, I had the MRI three months ago, the Ultrasound last April both said was fine. The Specialist said to come back in because it's still enlarged and just to see if we can find anything else out and keep an eye out. I am thinking maybe thyroid, or adrenals or something is contributing or maybe its reflux or scar tissue. Thanks so much for the reply. I can't believe I have never had my antibodies tested.

[Mary-intussuception in reply to melmstephens]

I have Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (which is also known as 'silent reflux').

It was rising stomach acid which damaged my throat and upper oesophagus and the cricopharyngeus.

And , of course, I have Hashimoto's Autoimmune Thyroiditis which was diagnosed late.

May I offer you a tip? Never accept being told hat your result is "normal ". Particularly TSH, because "normal " range no longer applies for us Hypos. The target therapeutic level is at the bottom of the "normal" range.

My Endocrinologist said my target TSH is maximum 2. But I have learned on this forum of the general opinion that it should be no more than one, ideally.

Our Health Authority only test TSH now for people established on Levothyroxine. And only annually.

[melmstephens in reply to Mary-intussuception]

Oh so maybe my enlarged tonsil is from reflux.... I will have my ENT test all of my TSH since I am paying him a bunch anyways. Any other tests I should do?

[Mary-intussuception in reply to melmstephens]

Do you mean all of your TFTs? TSH is the one test :

Thyroxine Stimulating Hormone.

Others :

FreeT3 and FreeT4. T3 & T4 ?? Check out Thyroid UK website for list of blood tests to be certain.

You know about Thyroid Antibodies to ask for TPO and Tg - Thyroid Peroxidase and Thyroglobulin.

I can't really comment on your Tonsil, how it got enlarged. Best not to guess, I think, wait and see what ENT say.

First time I went the ENT Specialist did a nasendoscope and said I think you've got a small hernia! I can see acid damage in your throat!

I do have an Hiatus Hernia I didn't know about then! Had Barium Swallow since.

I had acid damage on my Arytenoids but my Larynx was OK. He treated it with twice the maximum dose of Zoton Fastab Lansoprazole orodispersible for about 8 weeks I think.

When my GP changed my Lansoprazole for a generic capsule, problems started recurring. Long story, short - I now have my Zoton Fastab 30mg every day.

The Arytenoids damage healed, but I also have posterior prominence on the Cricopharyngeus which is permanent. Last year the ENT thought it was now a pouch (Zenker's Diverticulum ) but thankfully it's no worse. But they did find Osephageal Stricture / Hyperthrophy at the top of Oesophagus when they did another Barium Swallow xray series last September.

If I were you I would write 2 lists, one of the blood tests you want to ask for (be careful in case they inccur additional charge - make sure you don't end up with a bigger bill !!! Ask ).

And the other list of all your symotoms.

Then just relax and let ENT Specialist get on with it !

x🐥

[melmstephens in reply to Mary-intussuception]

Perfect Thank you!

[melmstephens in reply to Mary-intussuception]

Sorry to hear about your throat issues. Hopefully the Ent will sort things out.

[melmstephens in reply to Mary-intussuception]

Just looked I was tested last March and my TSH was .64. My Folate was fine. My B12 was high. my ferritin, calcium, vitamin D and anitbodies weren't tested. So I will schedule this now.

[Mary-intussuception in reply to melmstephens]

Your TSH was 0.64? That's fine isn't it.

[melmstephens in reply to Mary-intussuception]

Yes. But haven't had the T3 and T4 done or the antibodies so will do just for good measure.

[melmstephens]

Well my endocrinologist was terrible. Refused to take my t4 t3 and antibody test. Then said I most likely have hashimotos and it wouldn’t change my treatment and we just generally disagreed. So I’m trying to not get discouraged. Looks like I’m going to have to pay out of pocket for a specialists.