Had my thyroid ultrasound

[ladywear]

I had my thyroid ultra sound yesterday. He man said I had nodules but benign. I have to go chat with my GP when she gets the results. I am terrified. I have underlying health problems I can't be having operations. Is there anything nutritionally I can do to help shrink these down. Any herbal remedies I can take. Worried they will keep growing. Haven't got all my results yet....all I have been told is at the moment my results for thyroid are very slightly borderline low t4 and no medication required which I am relieved about because my underlying health problems makes taking any drugs extremely difficult. Can I at least start taking some selenium ? I see no iodene as throwing fuel on fire with auto immune

[greygoose]

Most people have nodules, even if they don't have thyroid problems. It's part of life. Nothing to be terrified about. And, no reason why you should have an operation. But, I really don't think there's anything nutritional you can do to shrink them, nor do I think it necessary to shrink them. It's unlikely they'll grow.

Thyroid hormone replacement, which is what people take when their thyroids aren't working properly, is not a drug, and nothing to be worried about. And, it could possibly have a positive effect on your other health problems.

[ladywear in reply to greygoose]

Thank you. That is very reassuring. I guess I haven't really had things explained to me properly just yet so I appreciate your clarification.

My neck swelling does seem to be getting bigger but the radiographer didn't seem concerned just said if it's uncomfortable I will need an operation.

[ladywear in reply to ladywear]

Oh and my GP says I have auto immune thyroid....even though only slightly borderline thyroid results. Very confusing!

[greygoose in reply to ladywear]

Yes, Autoimmune Thyroiditis - aka Hashi's. He knows that because you're antibodies were high. And, it's probably that that's causing your neck to swell - inflammation - rather than the nodules.

But, even with high antibodies, our levels of thyroid hormones can often be in the normal range. I would suggest you ask for a print-out of your results, so that you know exactly what was tested, and exactly what the results were. If you live in the UK, it is your legal right to have a copy, and it's a very good idea to keep your own records. Post them on here, with the ranges, and people will explain them to you.

Autoimmune Thyroiditis is where your immune system slowly destroys your thyroid, so eventually, you will become fully hypo and need to take thyroid hormone replacement. But, if there's ever anything you don't understand, you can always ask on here and someone will help.

[ladywear in reply to greygoose]

Thank you greygoose. Do you mean the radiographer would know my antibodies were high ? Would he know that from a scan ? I am not sure my doctor tested my thyroid antibodies...but she still says I am auto immune so that is what I am not understanding. Sorry for my uneducated questions !

[greygoose in reply to ladywear]

The radiographer would know if the damage to your thyroid is visible. He can't see the antibodies, of course, but he can tell by the condition of the thyroid if you're likely to have autoimmune problems.

This is one of the reasons you absolutely need to get a print-out of your blood test results. You need to know exactly what has been tested, as I said before. Your doctor will only tell you what she considers you need to know, and that can be very limited with some doctors.

[ladywear in reply to greygoose]

Thank you. I will ask my doctor for a copy of my results. I can't even get an appointment for 3 weeks to discuss everything. Radiographer only said to me that he could see thyroid nodules nothing to worry about they were benign but if they caused symptoms I would need surgery . I think I need to ask my doctor exactly what is going on and get copy of results. I will post on here and hopefully you kind people can help . X

[greygoose in reply to ladywear]

Perhaps best not to ask the doctor. Ask the receptionist. Give her a ring and ask her to print them out, and you will go and pick them up at her convenience. But, you will need to take some kind of identification.

[ladywear in reply to greygoose]

I will do that first thing next week. Thank you x

[greygoose in reply to ladywear]

You're welcome.

[Greekchick in reply to ladywear]

Hi there,

Glad your ultrasound is over and hopefully you were not too dizzy laying down. Please make sure that you get a referral to an endocrinologist - GPs are not experienced in treating thyroid disease and even if you don’t need immediate treatment, if you have an autoimmune disease, you should be supervised by a specialist.

And don’t worry about the nodules - I had numerous nodules for 25 years - it does not mean you need an operation- this is a bit premature for anyone to say. You might live with these all your life and never need surgery.

Wishing you all the best and hoping you feel better soon.

[ladywear in reply to Greekchick]

Hi Greekchic. Thank you for remembering about my ultra sound worries. I mentioned my dizziness to the radiographer and he propped me up so that was much better. I was fine ...although my swelling us uncomfortable the procedure was very gentle.

Is an endocrinologist someone at a hospital ? A NHS specialist? Or is this something I would have to organise privately ? My GP seemed fairly certain I had auto immune thyroid but I am unsure as to whether she tested my antibodies which i understand this is what you need to know for accurate diagnosis. She doesn't seem in a rush to do anything. I can't get an appointment to discuss my ultrasound for 3 weeks ! Thank you for advising I probably won't need an operation. It is quite a worry when your throat is all swollen . Oddly it goes up and down a bit ! Thank you again x

[Greekchick in reply to ladywear]

I live in Canada so I am unfamiliar with the UK system, but yes, an endocrinologist is someone who specializes in diseases of these glands and this includes thyroid. I also had swelling up and down but I had Graves’ disease, which is hyperthyroid autoimmune disease and had a goiter with many nodules. I expect you will need a referral to a specialist from your GP.

Without bloodwork it is impossible to say which autoimmune disease you have and whether or not you need treatment - many symptoms are common to both hypo and hyperthyroid conditions. You should take note of all the tests listed by slowdragon so you can have a full workup. You can get these done yourself through Medichecks (in UK) and take them to the doctor with you.

I would not trust a radiologist to tell me I might need surgery as this is certainly not their speciality - in Canada the radiologists are not allowed to discuss those matters with you and they are left to the MD so patients do not get unduly anxious - as clearly they made you feel.

All the best to you. Hope you feel better soon. I can understand why you feel nervous - I remember 25 years ago when I had my first scan and found out I had nodules and I was nervous too.

[ladywear in reply to Greekchick]

Thank you Greekchick

That is so kind and so helpful. Sorry I didn't realise I assumed this was a UK site..I realise different countries have different procedures.

Yes indeed the radiographer did cause worry when he said treatment for my nodules was surgery. Thank you for clarifying. It's reassuring to speak to other people on here who know . I appreciate all your support and read with interest all your information.

Thank you again. X

[SlowDragon Administrator]

If you have high thyroid antibodies this is autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto's

Low vitamin levels are EXTREMELY common with Hashimoto's

Ask for GP to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges......borderline in GP speak.....frequently means you actually need starting on Levothyroxine

Come back with new post once you get results and ranges on Thyroid

You need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested

UK GP practices are supposed to offer online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.

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

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

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

[ladywear in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you for your input. Will certainly look into all this information.