Confused

[Diana58]

Does anyone know the difference of thyroid issues. My dr diagnosed my hypo with what he said was that I no longer had a thyroid or maybe it wasn’t working at all! That was 5 years ago. I’ve heard people talking about cancer! Just wondering if everyone either has no thyroid or cancer? With medication does your thyroid start working? And why would someone have a bulge?

[greygoose]

There is no medication that can make your thyroid start working again. Once your thyroid starts to fail, for whatever reason, that's it. There's nothing that can be done to restore it to working order again.

What we take - levo, T3, NDT - is thyroid hormone replacement. It replaces the thyroid hormones - T4 and T3 - that your thyroid can no-longer make enough of, because you cannot live without thyroid hormone. But, it doesn't have any effect on the thyroid itself.

If you have cancer, you need to have your thyroid - or half your thyroid removed. And, a lot of people with Grave's - hyperthyroidism - need to have their thyroid removed, as well. People who are hypo usually don't. But, if you have Hashi's, it will eventually kill your thyroid.

A lot of people with hypothyroidism - for whatever reason, and there are many reasons - still have their thyroids, but they don't work properly, and therefore they need thyroid hormone replacement. As do those who have no thyroid at all.

By 'bulge', do you mean a goitre? A goitre is a swollen thyroid. People with Hashi's often have goitres. Also people who are deficient in iodine - they thyroid swells in order to absorb more iodine. And, sometimes people with Grave's develop goitres, too.

If you no-longer have a thyroid, and it wasn't surgically removed, then you probably have Hashi's. Have you had your antibodies tested?

[Diana58 in reply to greygoose]

I think a couple years ago and someone on here said I didn’t!

My issue is I’m in the us and was feeling good on wp then it changed and I’ve been on np for 2 years feeling pretty good now it’s changing and I’m going to have to find something so i have 50 days left of old and just got my new script and they are the new pills! I’m scared they will make me feel bad! So I’m trying to get a jump on things before I get brain fog!

[greygoose in reply to Diana58]

I'm afraid I can't help you there. I've no idea how to procure NDT.

[Diana58 in reply to greygoose]

Thank you

[greygoose in reply to Diana58]

You're welcome.

[LAHs in reply to Diana58]

Since your doc will give you a prescription for NDTs (ie np and wp) tell him they are "changing" and ask him to write you a 'script for Amour NDT, it's a bit expensive but it seems to work great. Get an ultrasound to determine if you have any thyroid at all and get a full thyroid panel to determine if whatever is left is working or if it has completely given up. If the ultrasound is inconclusive see if they will do a radioactive iodine scan, that will "light up" any trace of thyroid cells or a complete (although underactive) thyroid. If you suspect cancer then ask for a fine needle analysis (an FNA).

But, on the positive side, since you have been doing well on np or wp, you might just have an underachieve thyroid so chase down a good NDT (I recumbent Armour).

[NWA6]

What would be reassuring for you and had your antibodies tested. TPO AND a TPag

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

This would let you know the cause of your thyroid decay. Probably Hasimototos.

Your thyriod could very well be dead but your GP couldn’t possibly diagnose that without further scans and testing.

Are you on any thyroid treatment? Do you want to share your latest tests and dose of thyroxine (Levo)?

[Diana58 in reply to NWA6]

I’m in the us

On np 90

Have labs but they won’t be accurate because I upped it 3 months ago to 97 got blood work and now stopped the 7 so it wouldn’t be accurate

I feel pretty good just worried about np changes!

[silverfox7 in reply to Diana58]

I’m not familiar with the changes but I think the best course of action is to take it for six weeks then retest and juggle your dose if necessary. If it feels too much though drop Dont and the retest after a further 6 weeks then post your results and ranges if you aren’t sure how to read them.

[Mrsbuns]

Hi Diana58 I had a partial thyroidectomy in the early 90s because of Graves - overactive thyroid. I was pretty good on thyroxine till about 4 years ago when I developed Hashimotos - but I have only recently discovered this - unfortunately my GP had no clue what was going on. Finally after I payed to see a private Endo in May and had a scan on my thyroid I discovered my remaining thyroid had gone - destroyed by the hashimotos antibodies. But without a scan or proper testing I don't know how your doctor can say that?! Thyroid cancer is a different issue - and a reason some people have to have their thyroid removed - you need your GP to do a full set of tests - but if like mine they won't do them you can pay to have them done privately - reccommended companies are on this site. Hope that helps 👍