I have recently had an upper chest X-ray as was having pains going up the left side of my neck, the doctor didn’t think this was cardiac and the X-ray see,s to have shown up a simple Goitre, has anyone any advice or whether I need to be concerned.
Kind regards
Ann
Can see you have suspected hypothyroidism is past
Autoimmune thyroid disease can cause goitre
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 as well as full thyroid function
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 .
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)
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 vitamins including folate (private blood draw required)
medichecks.com/products/thy...
Thriva Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins By DIY fingerpick test
Thriva also offer just vitamin testing
Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test
bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...
If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3
£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off if go on thyroid uk for code
thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...
monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...
Come back with new post once you get results
Thank yu so much fr this I have had some bloods. They were inconclusive Although I don’t think I had all the tests suggested, it seems to me they aren’t concerned as they haven’t rung me , I fund the result n patient access Records x
Can you add the results you have got?
A goitre means you have a swelling of the thyroid gland. Did they mention if you have any nodules?
Just to add I googled goitre and a lot of people with large swellings on their necks popped up. I have a multinodular goitre and my neck has never been as large as some of the pictures on google so don't be alarmed.
Thanks for all. Your helpful messages, I rang for my results and they told m the simple goitre was Found 8 years but it’s the first time it has Ben mention to me and sai there was no change and my thyroid tests were normal?
So not sure what to think?
I originally wnt braise of pain coming from my upper left chest and into my neck and were getting worse, some chest pain and Palpitations.
I have been taking omerprazole that seems to have calm things down but still getting some palpitations So not sure if the goitre can become inflamed.
Apologises for the typos my iPad is playing up as well. As my AMD
I think you should keep raising this with your Doctor & not trust that GPs / admin staff always follow up correctly. You must to be you own advocate as service is very often fragmented and reactive.
You need to check what has been tested and the result. Often full thyroid function test are not undertaken.
If your thyroid function is fully tested and within range you need further investigation to determine what is causing your pain. Closing the case after completing the first investigation and leaving you undiagnosed is not acceptable.
I had a ultrasound finding nodule. I chased up my thyroid function test at the time and was told everything ok, which I accepted. 6 months later I found out my blood results weren’t processed, the receptionist was going by the most recent test on screen. I insist on copies now.
Thanks for your helpful message, I have since spoken to the doctor who is going to monitor and I will have further blood tests in 6 months, she mentioned that the Recent levels were in range.
I am not keen to go on medication unless I have to, I asked about iodine salt but she felt as long as I am eating healthy then it wouldn’t be needed.
It is possible the pain in my upper chest and neck were being caused by reflux she thinks as since I have been taking Omperazole and things have improved.
Like you I don’t rely on admin staff, we have to make sure we have the full information about our health issues.
Hoping you are keeping well ?
Kindest regards
Ann x
Always obtain actual results, even if you are told “in range”. Recommend you keep your own test record and diary of any symptoms. Doctors glance at results in isolation, comparing symptoms & looking for trends over time “the whole picture” is rarely reviewed by doctors and we have to do it ourselves.
Why are you not keen on treatment? I wouldn’t view replacing low thyroid hormone levels the same as drug medication.
If you are eating a healthy diet it would be exceptionally rare to be iodine deficient. Additional supplementation not recommended either & are often found in multivitamin and herbal preparations.
I had throat & jaw burning pain with reflux so may be the pain you experienced is as a result of it, as Omperazole seems to have improved things so that is excellent.
Thank you again for your great advice, I will keep a closer eye on my results, so you think I shouldn’t worry about going oN hormone probably don’t know enough about it.
I see that sometimes other posts refer to cold feet, I seem to get very cold feet and a lot of numbness too and not sure if it is related.
Wonder too if stress can Also effect thyroid?
I hope you are keeping well currently.
Happy Sunday
Ann x
In case you didn’t now, you replied to your own post, but if you use the button under the comments a poster has posted, they get notified of your reply to them.
I would be more worried about insufficient thyroid levels than taking a replacement hormone which is needed. Doctors deem thyroid treatment as easy and safe but It seems from posts on here that NHS GPs follow guidelines which often result In patients getting seriously ill before agreeing to treatment.
The Thyroid works in tandem with adrenals so yes, stress affects it & in general stress can make any symptoms worse.
Numbness can be related to thyroid but has many other causes too. I’m being investigated for toe numbness. More about it on my profile.
Oh dear, silly me sadly I am struggling with my eyesight so probably the reason. I need to look a lot deeper into thyroid disease and will check your profile.
As we get older there are s many little things happening so unfortunately we tend only to go to the Doctor When it is problematic.
My numbness is quite a problem at times so have t make sure circulation is k before starting t get om a sitting position.
I notice my resting heart rate is quite low at times at 54/55 and wonder if this signifies anything.
Thankfully again for your kind message
Hope you are having a good weekend
Love Ann x
Yes low thyroid can cause low heart rate, but it can have lots of other causes too. Is this a recent symptom? What’s normal for you?
The things about thyroid is it affects every part of you, the range & severity of symptoms is variable and vast.
This article lists them:
hypothyroidmom.com/300-hypo...
I know what you mean about waiting for things to become a problems. Especially at this time when most appointments are put off unless it’s urgent. I have also been told in the past there’s only time to deal with one issue per appointment. Which isn’t so good when you put everything off for so long. I even explained prior to an appointment once, that I had a number of issues, so the receptionist got me to agree to see nurse 1st, then if they weren’t able to deal I would be able to see a doctor at a further appointment. Which I thought was a good approach. Unfortunately the nurse was still cross I had multiple ailments. She did deal with everything including a referral to scan my neck, but only on that occasion as no one had been waiting. My practice now has a online system where you have to log all your symptoms and then they message or telephone you with advice, usually monitor for a week, or here have this prescription or have this blood test....In some ways it’s a little easier but I still don’t report everything minor thing only the most troubling!
I
Thank you for your message again, Ilooked at the link you posted and was amazed at the symptom s that can occur! I suppose at a certain age they become plentiful, my doctors practise also have the online platform to add symptoms too, I have done this twice but not normally say everything!
At what stage does a doctor start to take Thyroid problems seriously I wonder?
I was amazed to find that I had an enlarged simple goitre that was seen 8 years ago and hadn’t been told to me.
Hoping you have had a restful weekend.
Love Ann x
If only there was a stage they took seriously....I don’t think they see it as serious at all.
Sometimes GPs do not treat until a TSH reaches 10. Which is way above the normal range. In some countries you would be treated at 3.
Hoping your weekend is restful too.
I have large one. Doctors misdiagnosed me for three years and I’ve had no medication since last year because I can’t take levo. My TSH has risen even more to 38 and still they don’t give a puff. I don’t have options to change doctors either
Hello sh69
What’s was your diagnosis, autoimmune thyroiditis? Have you had your swelling scanned. It’s not alway necessary but any constrictions or impact on swallowing voice or breathing should really prompt an scan referral by your GP.
Why can’t take Levo, allergy to filler? What dose and which brand were you given?
If your doctor can’t manage you have they discussed referral to an endocrinologist?
Do you have any results to share? TSH, FT4 & FT3
Are your key nutrients optimal? Folate, ferritin, b12, vitamin d.
I imagine you are very unwell with such a high TSH. could you start a new post with a bit about your history and your test results and there may be members who faced similar health issues and can offer advice to help you start to resolve your health concerns.
Follow up from sestamibi scan
Goitre 
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