Tender thyroid lobe on right and achey/fatigued -? Hashimoto flare

[kreamtee]

Was diagnosed with Hashimoto's in March 2022 and multinodular goitre. Doing OK going up Levo doses, but still think have some way to go. Since the heatwave I seem to have suddenly regressed suddenly and have painful and tender left lobe of thyroid and feel achey (did also when I was diagnosed)and really tired. Wondering if heatwave may have triggered Hashi flare? Not had one before so not sure what to expect. Am not currently COVID positive and no other viral symptoms. I know that cancers are generally pain free but can have pain if rapidly growing. Am doing some blood tests of my own tomorrow. Will see if can see GP and have first endo appointment 17th August. Wondered of anyone has any wisdom to share?

[greygoose]

As far as I know, thyroid cancer is not fast growing. It's one of the slower cancers.

If you're having a Hashi's flare - also called Hashi's 'hyper' swing, which describes it better - you'll likely have hyper symptoms. Do you think you have hyper symptoms?

What happens is that the immune system attacks the thyroid, and the dying cells deposite their stock of hormone into the blood, causing FT4 and FT3 to rise rapidly, and therefore the TSH to drop. The problem is, if you see a doctor at this point, he will probably not understand what's happening, but will see your high levels/suppressed TSH, declare you hyper and reduce your dose. But, this hyper state is only transitery, levels will go down again eventually, and you will need your old dose back. And doctors are far more eager to reduce doses than they are to increase them!

Or, could be that you are slightly over-medicated with this fierce heat. People tend to need less thyroid hormone when it's hot, and more when it's cold. Try reducing the dose slightly on your own, and see if it helps. If it doesn't, you can put your dose back up again, no problem.

[kreamtee in reply to greygoose]

Thank you!Deffo hypo rather than hyper symptoms. Haha! Shows what I know about flares. Will see what blood tests show I think and am taking just some usual painkillers for pain. Will probably see if can see GP, but absolutely bearing in mind what you say. Thanks again for taking the time to reply 🙂

[greygoose in reply to kreamtee]

You're welcome.