Small Thyroid Gland

[Ralphetts]

Not sure if anyone can help? During a thyroid scan the radiologist highlighted that my thyroid gland was "very small". Follow up consultation with the endocrinologist did not address this comment, despite my questions. A year on this fact has now been noted "and will be considered at my next appointment" - likely to be six months away. Should I worry the gland is small? Any ideas for likely reasons for this possible abnormality?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

presumably, like thousands of other autoimmune thyroid patients you have Ord’s thyroiditis

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)

Previous post sounds like you were not on high enough dose T3

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

ESSENTIAL to test vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin levels at least once a year

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

With Ord’s or Hashimoto’s, frequently beneficial (or essential) to be strictly gluten free and/or dairy free)

[SlowDragon Administrator]

links re Ord’s

ada.com/conditions/thyroidi...

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ord%2...

[Ralphetts in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you - have taken a look. Thinking back my consultant has previously told me that Hashimoto's is a term used when a patient has previously been hyper, but now is hypo after surgery. Would appear this is another technically incorrect supposition of his. Sigh.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Ralphetts]

Many Hashimoto’s (and Ord’s) patients have transient hyperthyroid results and symptoms……not true hyperthyroidism …..but is excess thyroid hormones being released as cells in thyroid get destroyed

False Hyper phase can last a few hours, day, weeks or even months before eventually becoming increasingly hypothyroid

[Regenallotment Ambassador]

In the context of size is small used interchangeably with ‘atrophied’ or ‘shrunken’ ?

I don’t have expertise in this so am out of my depth but I read Paul Robinson’s thyroid had shrunk. Are we talking the same thing here or can people be born with a small thyroid?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Regenallotment]

some people are born with only half thyroid

Don’t know if you can be born with small thyroid…of if it becomes small after Ord’s

[Ralphetts in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you ! One to ponder and certainly one to address when I can next see my consultant.

[Citrinesun in reply to Ralphetts]

Did you have any scans prior to this one? I had a few scans but then this year it was noted my thyroid had become atrophied, very small compared to normal size a year earlier.

Also have nodules now. I assumed I was hashimotos until that last scan so I have Ords, I don't know if it's linked but it seemed once I started levo I got lots of throat and voice problems as if it has kicked started the attack process. Had some unpleasant hospital appointments camera down and all sorts.

It all seems to have settled for now, I do still Lose my voice if I overdo it, and I pretty much accept that it's possible my body has done what it wanted & finished off my thyroid so I don't worry about it as much as I did as there isn't much I can do about it & I guess I rather would have a small one than a goitre that may have to be removed.

[Ralphetts in reply to Citrinesun]

Thank you for your words of support. It was my first scan. I fear like you my body has finished off my thyroid.

[Citrinesun in reply to Ralphetts]

No problem I understand how you feel. mine was shrunken within a year of being diagnosed and started levo , its shocked me but it made me take matters into my own hands. I can't fix it but I can try to be well. I am now considering T3 only or NDT but I have ordered a full medichecks test as I'm interested in seeing if my anti bodies have risen, but like slow dragon says not everyone has high anti bodies & they rise & fall, but still I am interested in just knowing as I literally felt my thyroid being attacked & NHS only test once for diagnosis. I hope your consultant can give you an explanation anyway