hyperthyroidism

[diver]

hi I’ve been told I have thyroiditis, I’ve had a biopsy to rule out cancer. I have a large goitre that is not giving me a problem yet I’m also on medication for my thyroid.

im going to see a surgeon on Monday, but not sure what to do if I need surgery or not

Anyone else in my position (surgery or no surgery?

Regards Diver

[greygoose]

Hi diver, welcome to the forum.

I'm afraid your post is rather obscure. What is your exact diagnosis? Having thyroiditis and being hyper sounds rather like you have Autoimmune Thyroiditis - aka - Hashi's. What medication are you on?

Have you had antibodies tested?

- TPOantibodies and Tg antibodies for Hashi's

- TRAB or TSI for Graves' (autoimmune hyperthyroidism)

When were your thyroid hormone levels last tested? Do you have the results?

I'm afraid we need all the details here!

[diver in reply to greygoose]

I’m on 150mg leverthyroxine and have been for many years, this lump came up last year, I saw a surgeon and have had scans and biopsy’s done , not cancerous thank god. Seeing him again on Monday to get some answers

[greygoose in reply to diver]

OK, so if you're on levo, you have hypothyroidism, not hyperthyroidism.

Where is the lump?

[diver in reply to greygoose]

At the front of my throat which I think is the goitre and some swelling on the left which I think are nodules

[greygoose in reply to diver]

If you have Hashi's, it's not unusual to have a goitre and nodules. Do they cause any pain or restrict your swallowing/breathing?

[diver in reply to greygoose]

Hi

I did at the when the goitre started to grow I had pain in my neck and funny taste in my mouth, it has settled now and is not restricting my eating or breathing, so I’m thinking to just leave it and not go through an operation to remove the goitre

[greygoose in reply to diver]

If that's your decision, then don't let them bully you into changing your mind.

[diver in reply to greygoose]

Hi

Don’t worry I won’t and thank you for your help. I’ll let you know how I get on today.

Regards

Diver

[SlowDragon Administrator]

welcome to the forum

I’m also on medication for my thyroid.

What exactly and what dose

Are you hyper or hypo?

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

Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once for autoimmune HYPOthyroid

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.

Significant minority of Hashimoto’s patients only have high TG antibodies (thyroglobulin)

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

Testing options and includes money off codes for private testing

thyroiduk.org/testing/

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/testing/thyro...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism

thyroiduk.org/signs-and-sym...

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test

support.medichecks.com/hc/e...

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

[diver in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi

Thank you for all this information, I’m on 150mg for many years and now have a large goitre and inflamed nodules, I’ve had a scan and biopsy and going back today to see a surgeon, I’m hoping no surgery will be needed, I’ll let you know

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to diver]

What are your most recent thyroid and vitamin results

ALWAYS test early morning, ideally before 9am, only drinking water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Which brand of levothyroxine do you use

What vitamin supplements

Essential to test folate, ferritin and B12 at least annually

Vitamin D twice year when supplementing