Goitre but no thyroid

[lloydjam]

Hi, My thyroid gland was removed about 6 years ago but i have noticed a large swelling in my neck again - does anyone know what this may be - can the thyroid grow back? Thanks very much

[jimh111]

A thyroid can grow back as usually some small bits remain, the thyroid has a habit of hiding and a surgeon won't dig too deep as it can be risky. However, as you have a large swelling you should get it check by your doctor in case it is not the thyroid.

[Gagamonks]

Kind of going through this myself...my GP are dragging there feet regarding bloods. But yes there is research stating it can grow back.

Go to GP and discuss.

Make sure if you have bloods done you do the fasting etc (I’m only saying as it turns out I’ve been doing it wrong for 16 years and taking thyroxine before I have them done! Only found out from the wonderful people on here)

Also my immunologist consultant has asked me to take photo and symptom diary (also vids of me swallowing) for when I eventually see endo!

Good luck!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

GP should arrange an ultrasound scan of thyroid area

As you previously had Hashimoto's prior to TT you need full Thyroid and vitamin testing

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 after Hashimoto's

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. Last Levothyroxine dose should be 24 hours prior to test, (taking delayed dose 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)

If/when also on T3, make sure to take last dose 8-12 hours prior to test

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

[Gagamonks in reply to SlowDragon]

Just to note on the ultrasound front...I had one earlier this week (without iodine just basic USS) and the doctor spent 10minutes measuring the right side then got confused when he couldn’t find the rest of it and decided that as I’ve had a TT it must have been muscle not thyroid (despite me explaining tissue could have been left/ grown) and I should have been referred for the iodine test! He didn’t exactly fill me with confidence!

[Hidden]

I had RAI in the hope that the remnants of my thyroid after TT would be irretrievably destroyed, unable to reemerge as a reinvigorated super duper multinodular goitre and try to kill me for the 3rd time.

I tend to believe it still could do this and it worries me.

Get a referral for a proper analysis of what is wrong, but be aware that no surgeon will operate unless something serious is developing, eg you are slowly becoming unable to breathe. To conduct an additional thyroid operation is far more dangerous than the first operation due to scar tissue, but to delay a long time will also make it more dangerous when the "goitre" has started to spread in every direction, even downwards towards your lungs.