Newly diagnosed

[Movisgin]

Bloods showing me as having a Hyperthyroid, goitre and multi nodules. Symptom wise, a feeling of something stuck in throat after eating, everything else I put down to menopause. Due to start to start taking 10mg carbimazole, what time of day do I need to take it?

Endo telephone appointment next week, what do I need to ask them? I have a few questions already but defer to your experience.

Thanks for reading.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

please add any blood test results and ranges you have

Before starting Carbimazole have you had TSI or Trab antibodies tested to definitely confirm Graves’ disease. That’s autoimmune HYPERTHYROID disease

If not insist endocrinologist tests antibodies and vitamins

Autoimmune HYPOTHYROID disease, also called Hashimoto’s frequently starts with transient hyperthyroid results and symptoms

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3

plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested for Hashimoto’s.can also be slightly raised with Graves’ disease

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 with either

What are your most obvious symptoms

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Have you had ultrasound scan of thyroid

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/

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...

[PurpleNails Administrator]

You can take carbimazole at any time of day when is convenient, but it’s important to take it consistently & as close to same time daily as possible.

I was terribly forgetful. Couldn’t remember if taken a dose or not, was often late or missed or mistakenly taking twice (I’m sure). I used a pill organiser & set alarms on phone in end.  To prevent errors. I took mine at 08.00 & 20.00.  

Initially 2 doses is beneficial but you are being started on a low dose so they may be starting on single daily dose. I used to take mine with food & drinks, but I can take a lower dose if taken with water only and eating later.   I assume it’s just better absorbed that way. 

Are your nodules over producing?  Often when people are given very low starting doses it because the TSH is low and thyroid hormones are not always over range.