Ever since I was diagnosed with a hyperthyroid back in 1991 after my son was born I’ve always had a fairly prominent lump in my throat, I’ve always assumed it was just an enlarged thyroid. My thyroid levels went back to normal about a year later. I was diagnosed 4 weeks ago as hypothyroid and I’m on 50mg of Levo, but I’ve noticed that the lump has shrunk a lot. To the stage where my skin is a lot looser around my neck (more wrinkly 😂)
Is this normal?
Written by
mummytosix
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I too have a goitre ( swollen thyroid) but as Drs say my blood tests are normal they won’t do anything. ( even though I have almost all hypothyroid symptoms)
From what I’ve read the thyroid enlarges when it’s under stress—- I think of it as my thyroid screaming for help as it gets larger, harder and those are the days I feel more ill. When it gets smaller I’d assume it’s able to function more normally, and as yours is being supported by meds this should be what’s happening.
Was yours scanned ?
If you’re concerned you can always go back to the dr or even have a word with the pharmacist to put your mind at rest.
You will need bloods retested 6-8 weeks after each dose increase in Levothyroxine
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. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)
Last Levothyroxine dose should be 24 hours prior to test, (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).
Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or all vitamins
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
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 .
The aim of Levothyroxine is to increase the dose slowly in 25mcg steps upwards until TSH is under 2 (many need TSH under one) and FT4 in top third of range and FT3 at least half way in range
All four vitamins need to be regularly tested and frequently need supplementing to maintain optimal levels
NHS guidelines on Levothyroxine including that most patients eventually need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg Levothyroxine.
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