Newly diagnosed-been sent for a scan

[Mcdol]

Hi

I don't know if anybody can give me some advice.

In the last week I have received my thyroid test results. My T4 is at 3 and my TSH is currently over 100 so i am extremely hypo but really it was only weight gain that tipped me off to the problem. I am 5 months post partum and have also been told I do have antibodies so looking at hashimotos. I have been put on 100mg Levo and asked to have another blood test in 2 weeks.

However, I have also been referred for a neck ultrasound which as far as I can tell is not common place. Does anybody know what they are looking for here? I do have a swollen thyroid and did originally go to the GP about this 5 years ago and levels came back borderline and then normal so no further action was taken.

Any ideas?

[Teegee27]

Hi there, I am new to this myself but I did have an ultrasound on my neck & have been told that I will have one every year to keep observation on a small nodule!

2 weeks seems a little soon for another blood test as apparently it takes 6 weeks for medication to have fully absorbed into the body!

Hope you feel better soon

[Mcdol in reply to Teegee27]

Thank you. Great to know it's relatively common. Yes I know the 2 weeks isn't common. I think they are trying to ramp up the medication as quickly as they can to get it under control.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Yes, it's good GP has organised an ultrasound. Many of us have one soon after diagnosis, or to help with diagnosis

Also ask GP to test vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin at next blood test

Because your TSH is very high you have been started on quite a high dose. It's more common to start on 50mcg and increase up in 25mcg steps

So that's possibly why you are having another blood test so soon. Normally bloods are only done 6-8 weeks after any dose change

You may still need further increase from 100mcg, but not for several weeks/months

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-...

Other medication at least 2 hours away, some like HRT, iron, calcium, vitamin D or magnesium at least four hours away from Levothyroxine

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 or at repeat prescription.

Many patients do NOT get on well with Teva brand of Levothyroxine. Though it is the only one for lactose intolerant patients

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)

NICE guidelines saying how to initiate and increase. Note that most patients eventually need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg Levothyroxine

cks.nice.org.uk/hypothyroid...

[Mcdol in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks for the reply, that's really helpful. Do you know what the scan is actually looking for? Thanks.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Mcdol]

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

If you have Hashimoto's then thyroid may be slightly enlarged and/or granular in appearance

If you have ord's Thyroiditis then thyroud is shrunk and shrivelled

Very common to have a number of nodules in the thyroid. Sometimes these can be "hot" nodules, that are enlarged and may be making thyroud hormones regardless of TSH, or can be painful or uncomfortable

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...