Advice whilst waiting for doctors appointment

[Laura198933]

Hi. I have a doctors appointment currently booked but I'm looking for advice on what to ask. I have a small pea sized lump on my neck, it wasn't causing any issues when I noticed 5 weeks ago but now is causing a frequent aching,tingling feeling. I also have alot of other underactive tyroid symptoms such as dry skin, unable to lose weight, muscle aches, tiredness, thinning hair. I also have low iron, vitamin b, folic acid if any of that is connected.

I did have my thyroid checked and the doctor said it was fine but I never asked the level.

Should I ask this at the appointment and also for blood tests?

Has anyone else experienced a lump or pain in neck with thyroid issues?

Thanks

[Jazzw]

It’s always a good idea to get copies of blood test results so definitely ask. In the UK you do have a right to see them.

For what it’s worth, a pea-size lump sounds most likely to be a swollen lymph node which could have multiple causes, from a chronic tooth infection to recovery from a virus etc etc, so definitely good that you have an appointment. Hope you get to the bottom of it and feel much better soon. x

[Laura198933 in reply to Jazzw]

Thank you for replying.

I have no obvious signs of infection and just wondered if enlarged lymph nodes was a possible sign of thyroid issues?

Hopefully I get to the bottom of it all.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Welcome to the forum

You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results

UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results. Ring receptionist and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

Link re access

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ask receptionist for printed copies of recent test results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up. Or can they email over

Important to see exactly what has been tested and equally important what hasn’t been tested yet

 

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

Was test done early morning?

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)

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...

Come back with new post once you get results

It would be best to know what has been tested BEFORE the appointment

[Batty1]

The one thing I would not do is mention you can’t lose weight I think as soon as you mention this as a symptom they think your wanting Levo as a diet pill… just my opinion.