Symptoms

[Ellafen]

Hi, I was wondering if anyone has a lump in the base of the neck that feels like food is stuck. I have a lump that the GP has referred me urgently for so to rule out the worst diagnosis. My blood test on 7th March showed 2.25 borderline underactive thyroid. They wont retest for 3 months he said the reading is normal even though borderline. My weight has increased for no reason, low mood, cold cant be bothered with anything. Swallowing feels like I need to clear my throat and sometimes I feel like its sore. I'm really worried its something worse so wanted to know if others can relate. Thank you.

[greygoose]

Oh, gosh, yes! I had all of those throat symptoms, and a lot more - coughing, losing my voice, etc. Saw an ENT who stuck a tube up my nose (made me ill for a week!!!) and pronounced me perfectly healthy! No-one even thought to do a blood test!

Eventually, it all went away - I imagine the swollen thyroid calmed down and - as I have Ord's - shrank. But, it was another 20+ years before I got a diagnosis.

Have you had your antibodies tested? If not, I would suggest that should be your next step. Just testing TSH tells you next to nothing.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Just testing TSH is completely inadequate

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

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease

Ask GP to test vitamin levels and thyroid antibodies

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)

If in the U.K.

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 antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Thriva Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins By DIY fingerpick test

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-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 down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code

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

monitormyhealth.org.uk/

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via

vitamindtest.org.uk

If TPO or TG thyroid antibodies are high this is usually due to Hashimoto’s (commonly known in UK as autoimmune thyroid disease).

About 90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto’s. Low vitamin levels are particularly common with Hashimoto’s. Gluten intolerance is often a hidden issue to.

Link about thyroid blood tests

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

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org/if-you-are-un...