Blood result - thoughts please

[Hama102]

Several months back I started to develop symptoms of autoimmune thyroid problems. I was told that my TSH was normal December/January time). Later a nodule was found on the thyroid and as a result of this I had a partial thyroidectomy last week. Prior to the partial thyroidectomy I had bloods taken as shown in the photo. I was told my thyroid antibodies were 'borderline high' (whatever that means!) But haven't seen that result. The bloods will all be redone 6 weeks post surgery. I wondered If these results were normal for TSH etc when viewed all together? The surgeon said that the thyroid was sticky and fibrous (sorry!) When he removed the lobe and said it looked as if something had attacked it I have an appointment with him Monday and want to know what I should be asking. I felt so Ill for months and am scared of feeling like it again, although it had improved moderately by time of surgery.

Lab ranges:

Tsh 0.27-4.20 mIU/l

Free T4 - 12-22 pmol/L.

Free T3 3.1-6.8 pmol/L

[greygoose]

I was told my thyroid antibodies were 'borderline high' (whatever that means!)

The surgeon said that the thyroid was sticky and fibrous (sorry!) When he removed the lobe and said it looked as if something had attacked it

So, taking those two statements together, it looks like you have Autoimmune Thyroiditis - aka Hashi's - although there are no symptoms specifice to that. The symptoms that you were experiencing were hypos symptoms - low levels of thyroid hormone.

The results of your blood tests above are euthyroid (normal): TSH just over 1, T4 and T3 around mid-range. But, with Hashi's that doesn't mean much, because they can change at the drop of a hat.

Why did they operate for the nodule? Was it cancerous? Was it so large it restricted your breathing/swallowing? Removing half the thyroid for one nudule is not normal practice.

Anyway, now you only have half a thyroid, and Hashi's, so, if they haven't started you on thyroid hormone replacement straight away, they need to keep a strict eye on your levels, because sooner or later, they are going to fall. So, ask your endo when he plans to start you on THR, and/or when he next plans to test you. And, you also need to ask him to test your nutrients: vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin. Your Hashi's didn't start yesterday, so it's more than likely had time to lower your stomach acid, meaning that nutrient levels can be low. They need to be optimal for your body to use thyroid hormone efficiently.

[Hama102 in reply to greygoose]

Thanks for your advice. The lobe was removed because the nodule was graded as thy3, it was solid with a blood supply. I had two fine needle aspirations and it came back as follicular, but they couldn't rule out cancer without removing the whole lobe.

[greygoose in reply to Hama102]

So, they ruled it out in the end?

[Hama102 in reply to greygoose]

Yes. It was a follicular adenoma

[greygoose in reply to Hama102]

Oh, good.