After finally being started on treatment for hypothyroidism, my GP sent me for a thyroid ultrasound too. She said this was important but didn’t really elaborate on why.
I went for the ultrasound and today received a letter in the post saying I needed to contact them to make an appointment to discuss the results.
Does anyone know what they tend to look for in these scans? I’m now worrying , especially as I couldn’t even get an appointment until two whole weeks away!
Please don't worry. Your doctor's good by doing the right thing. Helpful to have an ultrasound both as a baseline for potential future changes & to check for nodules. Nodules, if you have, are overwhelmingly benign. Can you contact your GP for the results to avoid the wait? Don't be afraid to ask doctors why a procedure or treatment is recommended.
Thank you. I’ve given them a call today as I think I’ll just be worrying over a week and a half until my appointment. Just waiting for them to call back. Do they tend to send you for further check if they find nodules?
The torture of waiting! Depending on size, some doctors take a wait & see approach. Also depending on size & what else is learned from the ultrasound, you may have a fine needle aspiration biopsy, which is an out-patient procedure. Having this done isn't a big deal & doesn't mean the nodule is malignant. Please try not to worry, easier said than done, because vast majority of nodules are benign. There's another non-invasive test to test nodules. The name escapes me right now. You can try the search feature here.
Thank you. GP has said some nodules were found but nothing that looks untoward and no further action needed at the moment.
Yay!
Nodules invariably means Hashimoto's
Absolutely essential to test both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies
If antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).
About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's.
Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances are very common too, especially gluten.
So it's important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .
Link about thyroid blood tests
thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/t...
Link about antibodies and Hashimoto's
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...
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 or buy test online for under £20, just to rule it out first
Assuming test is negative you can immediately go on strictly gluten free diet
(If test is positive you will need to remain on high gluten diet until endoscopy, maximum 6 weeks wait officially)
Trying gluten free diet for 3-6 months. If no noticeable improvement then reintroduce gluten and see if symptoms get worse
chriskresser.com/the-gluten...
amymyersmd.com/2018/04/3-re...
thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...
scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...
drknews.com/changing-your-d...
restartmed.com/hashimotos-g...
But don't be surprised that GP or endo never mention gut, gluten or low vitamins. Hashimoto's is very poorly understood
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