Goitre - Should I have been offered an ultrasound?

[hjh88]

This is only just occurring to me as my goitre has become a little larger over the past month.

I had barely been able to feel it myself previously but it had been picked up by the GP I was seeing. I can now feel it myself as a small, quite firm ball at the top right hand side of my neck.

My question is, as I have a goitre, should I have been offered an ultrasound to check it out?

I have an appointment in a couple of weeks so hoping I can discuss it then if I need to. It is a phone appointment only but with a different GP who had expressed an openness to dosing at the high end of the range on Levo. He also mentioned T3 without suggestion that its influence was a fallacy which is promising at least! 🤞

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Your results on profile from July show you are under medicated

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, 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, take last dose 24 hours prior to test, and take next dose straight after test. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)

Sorry you didn't get replies for ages. This is extremely busy forum.

As you have Hashimoto's are you on strictly gluten free diet?

Or tried it?

Yes, I would request an ultrasound

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Are you still only on 50mcg Levothyroxine? If so you need 25mcg dose increase and bloods retested in 6-8 weeks

No wonder your recent vitamin tests were so terrible

[hjh88 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi SlowDragon, thanks for your reply. I’ve had more testing since July and a dose increase - currently on 75mcg. I am testing and discussing a further increase with my GP. Sorry, my profile does need an update!

I do follow the protocol for testing and have had some private testing done. Currently supplementing vits and about to test gluten free in the new year.

I will request an ultrasound from my GP yes. In your experience is this necessary? Or should it have been offered if I have a goitre?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to hjh88]

I think it's useful to see if there are any large nodules, or how much it's been affected by Hashimoto's.

Especially with goitre, if you are aware of it

[hjh88 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks! I’ll definitely ask about it