Is it possible to have an enlarged thyroid if I have Hashimoto’s? I just went to the ENT because my throat hurts so bad, it’s sharp stabbing pain and I feel like it’s all dry inside, but I don’t have a cold or flu-like symptoms, basically just throat pain. He told me that my thyroid is mildly enlarged?
Is it possible to have an enlarged thyroid with... - Thyroid UK
Is it possible to have an enlarged thyroid with Hashimoto’s?
Hashimoto's is strictly Hashimoto's thyroiditis and the 'itis' bit means inflammation. So, yes an enlarged thyroid is possible. Whether that causes your pain is another issue I'm not qualified to answer.
Thank you for that, sorry I don’t know much about it as I have just recently started learning and discovering more about thyroid health, my mom was taking care of my medications and lab tests earlier. I’m just worried if this is a symptom of some complication I guess.
You should read Hashimotos Protocol by Dr. Izabella Wentz. She specializes in the condition and lays out everything that you need to do to get yourself healthy and avoid additional autoimmune diseases. I also have hashimotos and have found her information very helpful. Get ready to go gluten free and possibly dairy, soy and sugar free as well!!
There are a number of causes for a swollen/enlarged thyroid gland aka goitre. You can read a bit more about it here:
For a long time, many doctors insisted that a goitre (even if small) was a hallmark sign of Hashimoto's.
In more recent years, many doctors have come round to regarding autoimmune thyroid disease as being Hashimoto's with or without a goitre. The UK seems generally to prefer not to call it Hashimoto's.
(Many years ago, the non-goitrous form in which the thyroid, rather than swelling and forming a goitre, actually shrank was sometimes called Ord's. This form was more common in northern Europe - UK and Scandinavia.)
Thank you. I thought thyroid was getting attacked and getting “smaller” due to Hashimoto’s.
In time, yes, it does.
It has been suggested that some people go through a period of mild goitre that they never even notice.
I suspect that some people are more likely to go through a goitrous phase than others.
Swollen thyroud suggests you are still not correctly treated
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also extremely important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if Thyroid antibodies are raised (Hashimoto's)
Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. Do not take Levothyroxine dose in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take immediately after blood draw. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)
Is this how you do your tests?
Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or all vitamins
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 special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random
Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels
Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working
Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten. Dairy is second most common.
According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps, sometimes significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)
Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies
Ideally ask GP for coeliac blood test first
chriskresser.com/the-gluten...
amymyersmd.com/2017/02/3-im...
thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...
scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...
drknews.com/changing-your-d...
I do take ferritin+vitamin C, magnesium, selenium+zinc and vitamin D. B12 was in the normal range. Endo told me my thiroid labs were okay and to stay on the same dose (150mcg Levothyroxine)
I’ve never had throat pain related to thyroid gland, that’s why I am worried. Do you think it could swell because of the bad diet? I did eat a lot of diary, bread, and junk food in general these past month and a half. Gained a lot of weight. Although, I do have stomach pain often after eating...
thank you on the answer and all the links!