Thyroid scan

[marianna1978]

I had a scan done last week, the doctor saw the nodule and said “it’s fine, it’s not cancer”. He then left the room, I was left with nothing a part of the obvious release that it’s not something to worry about... is that ok? What do you think?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

What an award winning bedside manner (not)

Looking at previous posts you seem to be on a tiny 25mcg dose of Levothyroxine ?

Standard starter dose is 50mcgs Levothyroxine (unless over 60)

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

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 you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies

Ask GP to test vitamin levels and thyroid antibodies

You may need to get full Thyroid testing privately as NHS refuses to test TG antibodies if TPO antibodies are negative

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood 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)

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

Cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3 £29 (via NHS private service )

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

For thyroid including antibodies and 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 primary 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_...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

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

The aim of Levothyroxine is to increase the dose slowly in 25mcg steps upwards until TSH is under 2 (many need TSH significantly under one) and most important is that FT4 in top third of range and FT3 at least half way in range

NHS guidelines on Levothyroxine including that most patients eventually need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg Levothyroxine.

nhs.uk/medicines/levothyrox...

Also what foods to avoid (eg recommended to avoid calcium rich foods at least four hours from taking Levo)

All four vitamins need to be regularly tested and frequently need supplementing to maintain optimal levels

[serenfach]

I am sorry the doctor has no clue how to treat patients. If I were you, just to finally put your mind at rest, ask your GP to get a copy of the scan and ask for a second opinion. They can do this.

The advice from Slow Dragon is spot on, and can take you forward in feeling much better. Just sending you a hug to start the process.

[marianna1978 in reply to serenfach]

Thanks a lot

[thyroidmom84]

I hate to admit I laughed when I first read this because of how ridiculous this guy is. Anyway, given that, I would feel pretty satisfied with that but agree that a second look couldn’t hurt.

[Lora7again]

Ask for a print out of your scan results. I have both of mine and they both say I have a multi nodular goitre which is not cancerous. You Doctor sounds a right idiot.

[marianna1978]

He is not my doctor, just one who did my scan, no previous talk nor after. I m going to see the endocrinologist in two weeks, hopefully he will be willing to listen and answer my concerns

[Lora7again in reply to marianna1978]

Most of the Endocrinologists I have dealt with know nothing about thyroid disease and specialize in Diabetes so good luck with that.

[marianna1978]

Should i ask the GP to get that report? Or should I wait to see the specialist and ask all the questions?

[Lora7again in reply to marianna1978]

Ask your Doctor for it because he will be sent the results. When my neck was scanned the lady doctor was a consultant and told me she scanned hundreds of thyroids and mine was definitely not cancer or hashimoto's disease but Graves' She was very nice and very helpful for a change ... most of the Doctors I have dealt with are clueless!

[marianna1978]

No I don’t think the specialist would be the same guy who did the scan... but I m not sure..