worried after ultrasound

[Maxie4444]

hi all I’ve had under active thyroid for over ten years been taking levothyroxine 75 for a long time I’ve recently had a ultrasound and they told me I have un smooth thyroid can anyone help please what does this mean I’m so worried

[PurpleNails Administrator]

“Un smooth”. Probably means you have areas of damage & or nodules. This is common & expected with thyroid issues. I wouldn’t be worried. Especially if your hypothyroidism is from autoimmune.

90% of hypothyroidism is from autoimmune. Have you had TPO & TG antibodies been tested?

75mcg is a low dose & 1 step up from standard starter dose. What are your functions results? TSH isn’t a good indicator if doctors are judging treatment with this. Have your FT4 & FT3 been tested? Add them if you do with the lab range. (Range always needed as ranges vary between labs)

What was the reason for ultrasound? Is your thyroid swollen? Any issues with swallowing, voice or breathing? This can all be caused by under replacement.

Recommend you obtain a copy of scan report, I & many have experiences where details of report are not passed on & it might help clarify exactly what is meant. There’s also cases when specific follow up is recommended & this is accidentally missed by admin & doctors.

[Maxie4444 in reply to PurpleNails]

Thank you for your reply .. I have been having a bit of trouble swallowing they did a barium swallow which was fine I’ve had blood tests recently for my thyroid but because of the swallowing problem they have sent me today for a ultrasound

Which has worried me so much

I have to wait for my gp to read the results but the man who did the ultrasound who was very direct and quiet rude just said they were in smooth but not against bone 🤷‍♀️ I’m a complete novice about all this even considering I’ve had thyroid problems for many years

[PurpleNails Administrator in reply to Maxie4444]

Online access to medical record is useful as can offer access to results, notes & letters. Depends on which area you are in & what practice is set up to offer.

If not available you can request a print outs of results via practice reception. Don’t ask Doctor they prefer not to go into details. You are entitled to your results.

Once you know what’s been tested you can draw conclusions about wether you are adequately treated or now.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Welcome to the forum

What was reason for ultrasound?

Unless you’re extremely petite, likely not on high enough dose levothyroxine

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested

Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once

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

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 that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

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...

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.

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...

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee

[Esmielola]

Hi Maxie444, I am in a similar state having no diagnosis. I have heard ( from online webinar by a reputable thyroid organisation's consultant speaker recently) that an ultrasound of the thyroid is the usual 'next step' towards getting a proper diagnosis. Having said that, it's worth looking at your blood test results on this forum in order to get further comments before you get to see your GP again. If you can get more details of the ultrasound that would help too when you speak with your GP about the result.

I'm not diagnosed, and am currently weighing up whether to have an ultrasound. I have no new symptoms as yet. I understand that the result can sometimes give 'unclear' results resulting in more anxiety. Nodules can be harmless I'm told! But you were right to follow these symptoms up with someone. Better to explore a little than to silently worry on your own. Whilst waiting distract yourself as much as possible with enjoyable pursuits is all I can offer. Good luck, and an online virtual hug to you.

[Maxie4444 in reply to Esmielola]

hi and thank you so much for replying it really does help .. knowing that other people are going through the same things

I have never had an ultrasound before yesterday for my thyroid and being a constant health worrier this has made my fears so bad

I will speak to my gp at some point this week and ask all the questions I’m really not sure of all the things I have read on this forum all the medical information maybe I should be asking more questions

Obviously my anxieties are making me think all the worst scenarios to this

I really appreciate all the help thank you I will post again when I know so maybe I can help someone else on here 👍