enlarged goitre

[chantelle1980]

hi has anyone got any advice

i have been told i have an enlarged goitre ??

i have a under active thyroid for many many years

what does this mean xxx

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Perhaps you are not on adequate level of Levothyroxine. Can you add your most recent blood test results and ranges

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, TT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies and also 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. When on Levothyroxine, don't take in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after. 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 are very common too, especially gluten. 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...

[chantelle1980 in reply to SlowDragon]

also im on 300 a day of levo

[chantelle1980]

serum tsh level 9.3.miu/l {0.27-4.2}

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to chantelle1980]

Well there's something odd going in then

You likely have poor gut absorption or coeliac or gluten intolerant to be taking large dose and yet TSH is far too high

Ask GP for 25mcg dose increase in Levothyroxine and for vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 testing

Plus if never had TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested ask that they are tested too

Ask for coeliac blood test before trying strictly gluten free diet, especially if vitamin levels come back low

Always take Levo on empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after. Many take early morning on waking, but it may be more convenient and possibly more effective taken at bedtime

verywell.com/should-i-take-...

Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable. Once you find a brand that suits you, best to make sure to only get that one at each prescription. Watch out for brand change when dose is increased

All thyroid tests should be done as early as possible in morning and fasting and don't take Levo in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)

Is this how you did the test and how you take your Levothyroxine?

What brand of Levothyroxine are you taking

[chantelle1980 in reply to SlowDragon]

I had results today of

Serum TSH level 26.8 miu/L [0.27 - 4.2]

Feeling very poorly and hard to breath at times

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to chantelle1980]

Good grief. No wonder you feel terrible

Is this on 125mcg Levothyroxine?

TSH should be around one

Have you had recent change in brand of Levothyroxine?

Or changed how you take it ?

Always take Levo on empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after.

No other medication within 2 hours.

No calcium rich food, vitamin D, iron, HRT or magnesium within four hours of taking Levothyroxine

Many take early morning on waking, but it may be more convenient and possibly more effective taken at bedtime

verywell.com/should-i-take-...

Many many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable. Teva brand upsets many patients very badly