Is it possible to have an enlarged thyroid with Hashimoto’s?

[masa2333]

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?

[jimh111]

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.

[masa2333 in reply to jimh111]

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.

[Lbacon86 in reply to masa2333]

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!!

[masa2333 in reply to Lbacon86]

Thank you! I did in fact read something about her protocol online! I’ve been delaying to start implementing it, but today I had a good day without gluten or diary! Does fruit count in sugar?

[MaisieGray]

There are a number of causes for a swollen/enlarged thyroid gland aka goitre. You can read a bit more about it here:

nhs.uk/conditions/goitre/

[masa2333 in reply to MaisieGray]

Thank you

[helvella Administrator]

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.)

[masa2333 in reply to helvella]

Thank you. I thought thyroid was getting attacked and getting “smaller” due to Hashimoto’s.

[helvella Administrator in reply to masa2333]

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.

[masa2333 in reply to helvella]

I’ve been on therapy since I was 9 years old, now I’m 21 so that’s why I was worried, as I’ve been battling Hashi’s for a long time and never felt anything weird.

Thank you, I will see my endo and hope it’s not anything dangerous.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

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...

[masa2333 in reply to SlowDragon]

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!