Is there a trigger for making my thyroid swell?

[RunDoris4]

Hi all. I was diagnosed with an overactive thyroid back in May and am taking carbimazole which has made a massive difference to how I feel. My question is, at different times of the day my thyroid will feel more swollen than others. Does anyone else notice this and does anyone know why this happens? Is there anything I can do to help reduce this naturally, eg. cutting out certain foods or do I just need to be patient! Thanks 😊

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Very common to have low vitamin D, folate and B12 with Graves’ disease

Have you had Graves definitely confirmed by testing TSI or Trab antibodies

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested too.

EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Ask GP to test vitamin levels

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 .

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin

medichecks.com/products/thy...

Medichecks often have special offers, if order on Thursdays

Thriva Thyroid plus vitamins

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Graves Disease antibodies test

medichecks.com/products/tsh...

Add any results you have already

While still eating high gluten diet 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...

[RunDoris4 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you. I saw the consultant for the first time last week. I had bloods taken and my understanding is that it was to check antibodies. I’ll find out results in a couple of weeks. Not had Graves’ disease confirmed but told that was a possibility. Thanks for the advice. I’ll take it on board.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to RunDoris4]

Early stage Hashimoto’s (hypothyroidism) frequently starts with transient hyperthyroid results and symptoms

We see it assumed by medics that hyperthyroid results are due to a Graves’ disease often without testing antibodies

Graves should always be confirmed by testing TSI or Trab antibodies and vitamin testing extremely important

[RunDoris4 in reply to SlowDragon]

Sounds like I’m being tested correctly. I’ll check back when I get my results. Thanks again

[Hookie01]

Hi, Almond milk made my thyroid swell when I was overactive with Graves.

[RunDoris4 in reply to Hookie01]

That’s interesting. I don’t drink almond milk but I suppose that shows that there must be something that’s aggravating it. Appreciate the feedback