Is it my thyroid?

[RicCaw]

Hi, I joined slimming world in January and after about a month my neck started to become painful and I became very drained of energy. The doctors thought I had a virus.

After a month of pains in the front of my neck either side of my Adams apple i had a bad week of slimming world where I started drinking more milk that what they say and eating more cheese. The swelling in my neck went down and the pain almost went away. The following we I go back on my slimming world plan and slowly the pain and started to come back. I saw a picture of a thyroid and realised that the shape and position of it is exactly when the pain I am experiencing. Looking into thyroid issues I worked out that by doing slimming world I had been only taking in 20 to 30% of my daily iodine on most days. I started talking a multi vitimium that contains iodine and my neck started to feel a lot better after a few days. I told my doctor and had blood tests. They said that my thyroid levels were s it low but within normal parameters.

I have been taking more iodine and my neck is a lot better, I still get some mild pain into it (not as bad as before). But everyone once in a while I have random episodes where the pain in my thyroid gets worse even though I should be having at least my daily amount of iodine now.

A few hours before an episode starts I start smelling phantom cigarette smoke (no one in my house smokes).

Anyone had similar experiences or have an idea what I could be doing to trigger these episodes? My doctors haven't been much help, they just keep saying my thyroid is working as it should according to the blood test.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, TT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies. Plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12.

Essential to test thyroid antibodies, FT3 and FT4, plus vitamins

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies

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

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 ideally be done as early as possible in morning. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)

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. Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances too, especially gluten. So it's important to get tested.

Iodine is not recommended unless proven deficiency especially if you have Hashimoto's

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

drknews.com/iodine-and-hash...

[greygoose]

Have you got a copy of those results? A doctor saying your levels are 'a bit low', probably means you're raging hypo! They don't have much idea.

I don't know that low iodine causes throat pain, but you really shouldn't take iodine without testing for deficiency first. Excess iodine can cause all sorts or problems - plus, it's actually anti-thyroid.

Slimming World is not a healthy diet, because it is based on no/low-fat. The body needs fat to be healthy. Low fat can cause a lot of health problems.

[Helena877]

😂 Phantom cigarette smoke. I used to get that prior to diagnosis.... thought I was experiencing a haunting in my home.

[helvella]

Search for phantosmia right here on HU.

[Angel_of_the_North]

If you are eating a low fat diet, you can't make enough hormones or absorb vits A, D and E properly.