I think I have a goitre due to my under active thyroid? I’m not 100% as I’m new to this only diagnosed 5weeks ago and have been on 100mg of levothyroxine I have 2 weeks left before I go back to the doctors where I will ask about my goitre but until then I just wanted some advice on what I could do to help myself, as my throat has been aching like crazy and feels like a lump in my throat sometimes, however this does come and go which I find strange 🤷♀️
Also I have just had covid 2/3 weeks ago so I wonder if that would trigger it to be worse?
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Emmajane1994
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Have you had ultrasound scan of thyroid, if not request that when you see GP
What were your thyroid levels at diagnosis
It can take several months to fine tune correct dose and get all vitamin levels optimal
Covid may not have helped either
Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested.
Have you had thyroid antibodies tested?
Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum
Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis)
Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s
Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis.
Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.
In U.K. medics never call it Hashimoto’s, just autoimmune thyroid disease (and they usually ignore the autoimmune aspect)
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 and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)
Which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking
Many people find different brands of levothyroxine are not interchangeable
Once you work out which brand suits you best, aim to always get same brand
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins
I haven’t had an ultra sound yet, I will be going to the doctors for a check up and blood tests in 2 weeks.
They never gave me any information about my blood results just that I was missing the thyroid hormone and that my other hormone that triggers the thyroid to produce was high.
Tbh I have felt loadssss better than I did straight away and my only problems now are all sort of respiratory so sore throat, aching throat, the feeling of somthing in my throat and breathlessness but I’m unsure if this is just normal symptoms or if it’s goitre or thyroiditis or something.
When I got diagnosed it was a nurse practitioner I saw, not a doctor which I found confusing and she didn’t seem to know much as she printed me stuff off the internet.
I had blood tests for kidneys, liver and red blood cells for anemia which was fine.
So I will definitely be asking for a full vitamin check with my thyroid check and will be asking for the results.
You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.
The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results
UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.
In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet
Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.
Important to see exactly what has been tested and equally important what hasn’t been tested yet
Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested.
Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum
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 and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)
Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable.
Many patients do NOT get on well with Teva brand of Levothyroxine.
Teva contains mannitol as a filler, which seems to be possible cause of problems. Teva is the only brand that makes 75mcg tablet. So if avoiding Teva for 75mcg dose ask for 25mcg to add to 50mcg or just extra 50mcg tablets to cut in half
But for some people (usually if lactose intolerant, Teva is by far the best option)
Teva, or Aristo (100mcg only) are the only lactose free tablets
Most easily available (and often most easily tolerated) are Mercury Pharma or Accord
Mercury Pharma make 25mcg, 50mcg and 100mcg tablets
Accord only make 50mcg and 100mcg tablets
Accord is also boxed as Almus via Boots, and Northstar 50mcg and 100mcg via Lloyds ....but Accord doesn’t make 25mcg tablets
If a patient reports persistent symptoms when switching between different levothyroxine tablet formulations, consider consistently prescribing a specific product known to be well tolerated by the patient. If symptoms or poor control of thyroid function persist (despite adhering to a specific product), consider prescribing levothyroxine in an oral solution formulation.
Physicians should: 1) alert patients that preparations may be switched at the pharmacy; 2) encourage patients to ask to remain on the same preparation at every pharmacy refill; and 3) make sure patients understand the need to have their TSH retested and the potential for dosing readjusted every time their LT4 preparation is switched (18).
Levothyroxine is an extremely fussy hormone and should always be taken on an empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after
Many people take Levothyroxine soon after waking, but it may be more convenient and perhaps more effective taken at bedtime
No other medication or supplements at same as Levothyroxine, leave at least 2 hour gap.
Some like iron, calcium, magnesium, HRT, omeprazole or vitamin D should be four hours away
(Time gap doesn't apply to Vitamin D mouth spray)
If you normally take levothyroxine at bedtime/in night ...adjust timings as follows prior to blood test
If testing Monday morning, delay Saturday evening dose levothyroxine until Sunday morning. Delay Sunday evening dose levothyroxine until after blood test on Monday morning. Take Monday evening dose levothyroxine as per normal
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Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
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