enlarged thyroid

[Nikkimoz]

Just wanting any advice about enlarged thyroid if possible. Short history as it’s a long story 🙂. Have had an enlarged thyroid several years. Last scan was 2018. Over last year I’d say it’s got bigger. I can feel it when I swallow, looks larger in my neck. Makes me cough etc. Saw gp who says I could be over medicated (on 175mg levo) recently had a new scan sonographer immediately said it’s grown considerably and is inflamed. Waited a week, rang drs. She says it hasn’t changed in size but is globally larger? Therefore no change? Reluctantly is referring me to a surgeon who she said will probably do nothing as they don’t like to remove due to complications of hoarse voice or being unable to talk. So am I just supposed to put up with this? Not sure where to go with this now.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Are you on adequate replacement thyroid hormones

Which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking

Do you always get same brand

Do you have autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto’s diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Please add most recent thyroid results and ranges

Plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 results

ALWAYS test thyroid levels early morning, ideally before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

[Nikkimoz in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi , I’m on accord brand of thyroxine i take 175mcg also take multivitamin and vitamin d. I have Hashimotos, coeliac disease and high blood pressure which I take a lot of meds for. I don’t have my most recent blood results but il get them and post. Thankyou for the reply.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Nikkimoz]

Multivitamins never recommended on here …..most contain iodine not recommended for anyone with Hashimoto’s

What multivitamin exactly is it?

[Nikkimoz in reply to SlowDragon]

I was advised by dietician to take it due to coeliac disease. They do contain iodine Iv just checked. They are radiance multivitamin

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Nikkimoz]

With Hashimoto’s (and especially with coeliac too)

We need to test vitamin D twice year

Test folate, ferritin and B12 once year minimum

When were vitamin levels last tested

You will see thousands of posts on here discussing vitamin levels and ensuring that all four vitamins are optimal

Thousands of U.K. thyroid patients are forced to test privately to make progress

Examples of private testing results

Medichecks results

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

Blue horizon results

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

Thriva

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

[PurpleNails Administrator]

Are you medicated adequately? TSH should be around 1 and FT4 in top third of range.

Ideal FT3 should also be test along with TPO & TG antibodies and folate, ferritinm B12 & vitamin.

If nutrients are optimal levo won’t work well. (GP close case in anywhere in a

Range)

Put any results and lab ranges you have, if Doctor won’t test everything there are private options.

What the the ultrasound report say? Often the report goes to doctor and they skim over it. If there nothing to “action” you don’t hear the details but there are often clues about health of thyroid which are interesting and relevant to know.

Then there are cases where the doctor doesn’t understand so ignores the next advisable instruction. So always check test results & reports never trust a verbal ok.

[Nikkimoz in reply to PurpleNails]

Hi, initially I rang the results line at the surgery and the assistant said no further action needed. So I was surprised at that so she then said well I can get the dr to ring you if you like? Well obviously I do! Thanks for your reply

[nellie237]

"She says it hasn’t changed in size but is globally larger?"

I can see why you've put a ? after this statement. Said with confidence/authority?.......and move on quickly before the patient has time to think about it.

I think in your shoes I'd be inclined to write a quick letter explaining that you want to understand your condition as best you can, and ask for an explanation of this statement in layman's terms. It sounds like gaslighting to me, or a black hole (like in space).

Unless somebody else can explain it.

[Nikkimoz in reply to nellie237]

Hi, yeah I put the ? As I thought it was a definite contradiction. I told her the sonographer said straight away it was bigger but the dr said well she’s written the report and not put that in it. I said to the dr so what am I supposed to do? She said well all I can do is refer you but will be a long wait. Thanks for your reply.

[greygoose in reply to Nikkimoz]

Ask for a copy of the report. After all, it's your thyroid they scanned, so the report should be yours.

Has nobody suggested that it's just the Hashi's causing the enlargement of the thyroid?

[Nikkimoz in reply to greygoose]

No just that it’s enlarged and basically just get on with it

[greygoose in reply to Nikkimoz]

OK, but don't your doctors know that that's what Hashi's is: hypo with raised antibodies and enlarged thyroid. How come they're making such a mystery of it and suggesting it might be due to over-medication - which is easily detected by doing labs! Just seems strange to me.

Anyway, if I were you, I'd ask for a copy of the report.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Come back with new post once you get FULL Thyroid and vitamin testing done.

Usually that means testing privately via Medichecks or Blue horizon

GP rarely tests more than TSH