Confused

[Michaela23]

For the last 2 months I have had the sensation of a lump in my neck which is continually uncomfortable and often makes me gag. At first I thought I had reflux but realised the sensation was there all the time and not linked to eating. I also feel really exhausted, quite low and despite sticking to the Slimming World diet have gained weight which adds to the low mood. My GP thought it was my thyroid and I was so relieved to have an answer that seemed a perfect fit for my symptoms. I was sent for a blood test and ultrasound scan. The GP receptionist says my bloods are normal and I had the scan today and the sonographer said my thyroid was normal. When I asked if she was sure as I literally can physically feel something inside my neck and was gagging with the pressure of the scanner she said there were a couple of tiny 5mm nodules but they would not make me gag. I know I should be pleased all is normal but I’m concerned as the sensation is so real and I’ve been longing for some treatment to take it away - it’s embarrassing when I gag and can’t believe nothing is there. I also dread to think where I will end up with my weight gain. I’m not sure if this is the right place to ask but just wondered if anyone had similar issues but eventually found an answer?

[Judithdalston]

Please ask the dr's receptionist for your test results as print out ( have to do it for free by recent law)- post them here. Unfortunately what doctors ( and their receptionists) often say are 'normal' aren't really for hypothyroid diagnosis and good thyroid health! We might also suggest other blood tests etc that might be worth doing.

[Michaela23 in reply to Judithdalston]

Thank you I will do that.

[greygoose]

At one point, long before I was diagnosed, I had that exact same feeling. Plus other throat problems : trouble swallowing, sore throat, lose of voice - losing it mid-sentence sometimes - and a cough that came from my throat, not my lungs (try telling a doctor that!). But, I'd had that cough for most of my life and no doctor ever tried to do anything about it except listen to my chest and declare it clear - I could have told them, that.

At that time, I knew nothing about thyroid - certainly didn't know what Hashi's was. But, I did have it, and as it continued to destroy my thyroid, all those symptoms went away - except the cough - even though I wasn't on any medication. Do you have Hashi's? Not saying these things are symptoms of Hashi's, but they are hypo symptoms.

It could be that you have a swelling of your thyroid on the inside, pressing on your eosophagus. But, I'm not sure how they would test for that.

[Michaela23 in reply to greygoose]

I don’t have any diagnosis at all. I haven’t seen the GP yet but suspect he’ll say it’s nothing if blood test and scan are normal. I know the last few months something has changed a lot so it’s hard to hear there’s nothing there! I hope the sensation does go itself as it’s pretty awful!

[greygoose in reply to Michaela23]

You could try suggesting to your doctor that you may have a retro-sternal goitre… think that's what it's called. I never had any visible goitre in the front, but I think I had one at the back causing the problems.

[greygoose in reply to greygoose]

Just googled it and no, that's not what it's called! lol Sorry, but you know what I mean, a thyroid that is swollen on the inside of the neck and can't be seen by a scan.

[Michaela23 in reply to greygoose]

Thanks - I will ask if it’s possible the swelling might not be visible on the scan

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Getting copies of what was actually tested, probably only TSH and FT4 and post them here

But for full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, TT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies.

Plus very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

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 and fasting. This gives highest TSH 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. So it's important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .

Link about thyroid blood tests

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

Link about antibodies and Hashimoto's

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

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

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org/tuk/about_the...

[Michaela23 in reply to SlowDragon]

That’s really helpful thank you

[matthewjam]

Sounds like possible goitre

[Jagault3]

I had a similar experience and come to find out they weren't doing a full blood panel for my thyroid and that the ultrasound tech was inexperienced and did it wrong which the radiologist didnt catch!!! I found an Endo who specialized in thyroid and she did more blood work on me and her own ultrasound. The results came back much different. Long story short within a month I was being treated and having surgery. I can't emphasize enough the value of a good doctor and standing up for yourself.

[Michaela23 in reply to Jagault3]

Wow that’s scary that things are so easily missed. I’ll get the blood results when I’m at GP in a couple of weeks and see what was tested. It’s so hard to believe nothing is going on and it’s so helpful to know I’m not going mad and others have been through similar.