Goiter

[GShep64]

Hiya ..

I had Bloods taken in May

All that came back was these

serum TSH - level no action

1.36mu/L 0.27 - 4.20mu/L

(Then underneath said New TSH ref range from 1st April 2o15 )

Bloods - free T3 , FreeT4

TPO ( abs) TSH

Since then I’ve had couple of episodes

Racy heart - pain in beck , ears gushing , jittery weight gain.

The Consultant said June !

All ok. Do another test 6 months

Reason for asking

Is A Goiter a result of Thyroid troubles

And do I need any other tests ir B12 ? Folate ?

[greygoose]

A goitre is an inflammed/swollen thyroid. There can be several reasons for it, such as low levels of iodine or autoimmune thyroiditis. Just testing TSH won't tell you anything much. You need full thyroid testing:

TSH

FT4

FT3

TPO antibodies

Tg antibodies

vit D

vit B12

folate

ferritin

and, if you have any reason to think you might be iodine deficient, then you need a non-loading iodine urine test. BUT do not ever try and supplement iodine on your own. It needs expert supervision. Just taking any sort of iodine supplement - or even a multi-vit containing iodine - can do more harm than good!

[GShep64 in reply to greygoose]

Thanks For replying - I’ve had yearly tests judt done couple days ago - But only TSH to do with thyroid - rest are diabetes , liver , lipid , electrolytes .. . Just had message to have a phone slot over the results. So will nip and ask for these other bloods to be done .. thanks

[greygoose in reply to GShep64]

You're welcome.

[SlowDragon Ambassador]

just testing TSH is completely inadequate

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

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies 

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.

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis)

20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis 

In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options and money off codes

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

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

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

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning. Watch out for postal strikes, probably want to pay for guaranteed 24 hours delivery 

Link about thyroid blood tests

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

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism 

thyroiduk.org/wp-content/up...

Have you had ultrasound scan of thyroid yet?

[GShep64 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks for responding .

Have read & will try sort - get different bloods

Organised .. Regards Bev

[SlowDragon Ambassador in reply to GShep64]

come back with new post once you get results