Where to Next? Any ideas? Thyroid Cyst

[josiebloggs]

I've asked for advice on here a few times and had lots of help. Hopefully you lovely people will be able to give me some further pointers!

I initially found this site when I was diagnosed with cholesterol of 12.7. Lots of research made it clear that this was likely to be a thyroid issue. This was March 2018. I'd had gradually worsening health for a few years - tinnitus, gut problems, asthma, eczema, peripheral neuropathy (from cancer treatment) dry eyes, hair, painful feet and hips etc. Each one of these issues was medicated as a separate issue. What prompted me to get my bloods tested in March 2018 was that I'd had a horrendous 'episode' where everything hurt and I could barely get off the sofa for a week. I was so bad I really thought I had fibromyalgia (my daughter has it so I'm not minimising!) I also felt a lump in my neck.

To her credit my GP did listen and ordered blood tests for TSH and FT4 which were well within range. She said I couldn't have a thyroid problem despite being symptomatic. At the end of April 2018 she did more bloods as I still wasn't feeling right. Cholesterol was still 12.4, TSH and FT4 was still good, in fact TSH had dropped from 2.2 to 1.3 (0.2-4.5), B12 was 755 (180-2000), Serum Folate was 16.8 (2.8-20), VitD 92 (25-162)

I went back in July 2018 as although I was feeling better I still wasn't right. Further blood tests showed Total T3 1.5 (0.9-2.4) and Free T3 3.4 (2.5-4.9) so again a thyroid problem was ruled out. She checked the lump in my neck and said it wasn't my thyroid and to come back if it didn't go down.

September I was much better. Blood tests showed that my cholesterol had dropped to 9.8. Serum folate 13 (2.8-20), VitD 52 (50-200) (private test), B12 494 (180-2000) and PTH 6.7 (1.6-6.9). She requested a PTH test as I had already had a VitD test within 12 months, that's why I paid for private. The lump was still in my neck so I was referred to ENT not an endocrinologist as still there appeared to be no issue with my thyroid. The advice was to supplement VitD while waiting for ENT and return after my appointment.

I had also paid for the full thyroid panel from Medichecks but again, nothing was found.

I had my ENT appt last month. I had a camera down my nose to examine my throat and had a scan of my neck. I was told that I have a cyst on my thyroid. I could either have it drained, have it removed or leave it. I was reassured that it's perfectly harmless, won't cause pain and probably won't get bigger. The doctor was adamant that it couldn't be a problem and wouldn't have caused any issues. I agreed to leave it and was discharged back to my GP. A month later the lump is bigger, hard and seems to be pressing back into my throat causing me to gag and cough. The last few nights I've been woken by the pain.

Sorry this is a bit long but I wanted to give a bit of background. TBH I'm sick of to-ing and fro-ing to various medical people who look at me with pity, or dismiss my concerns. I keep being told that what I'm feeling or issues with my health couldn't possibly be what I say they are. There seems to be no willingness to find out what it could be either. I guess you've all been there!

Is it possible that I could have had a thyroid 'attack' back in March last year and there be no trace in bloods?

Should I go back to my GP and try to get referred to an endocrinologist who'll probably huff at me like I'm wasting his time?

What about the cyst?

I haven't taken the supplements as advised because I don't want anything to be masked.

I know this is really long but I'd really appreciate any thoughts

Thanks x

[SlowDragon Administrator]

If you haven't taken any supplements since September then vitamins may well be far lower, vitamin D especially

Can you afford to get FULL Thyroid and vitamin testing

Have you ever had high TPO and TG thyroid antibodies?

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

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting

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