Reassurance please

[Fizzwhizz]

Hi, I have a diagnosis of an autoimmune thyroid condition. Went privately as NHS tests all within range on tests. Waiting on further bloods, which has been difficult to get done, so I can have follow up appointment with private GP for thyroid treatment. Appointment in July. In the interim I did see NHS endo who asked for chest x ray. I have been getting a stitch like pain under my right rib on and off for a fee years. I did mention to my regular GP but she dismissed it. Anyway now been called back for upper abdomen untrasound presumably due to x ray results. I suspect gallbladder issues which I now know are linked to thyroid problems, more common in women and unfortunately I was on HRT for 4 1/2 years. I didn’t know until recently this was a risk for gallbladder disease. I wasn’t told. Anyway a bit late for that now. Anyone just able to reassure me about everything. I had a small sun damage/cancer spot removed from my nose recently. All fairly routine but it just makes me feel panicky. Also, based on previous experiences I now don’t blindly trust doctors unless it pans out with other advice/experiences/research I’ve done. Thanks

[FallingInReverse]

Fizzwhizz, having a sub-optimally treated chronic autoimmune disease I dare say has made all of us panicky along the way.

Although it’s easy to get bogged down in all the bad, remember that you are now on the right track to feel better. It’s a long slow process, but you are on your way.

Sending you a virtual hug!

[Fizzwhizz in reply to FallingInReverse]

Thank you for the hug. I did read all about the thyroid and what it does and how important it is and affects everything so it’s not surprising after many years of it not functioning correctly other things are affected. I suppose the scan provides additional information and I do have some pain on and off so better to get it looked into some more.

[FallingInReverse in reply to Fizzwhizz]

Now that you have some solid, reliable information from the amazing forum, your first order of business is to get your Free Ts in order.

I have not looked back at previous posts, but even though we are human and certainly can have lots of things wrong with our health - low thyroid hormones do indeed impact and actually CAUSE symptoms from head to toe. That means that treating/optimizing those free Ts FIXES those same symptoms.

We learn on this board how low thyroid hormones impairs absorption of iron/ferritin, B12, folate and vitamin D. Vicious downward spiral - as those deficiencies create an inhospitable environment for our thyroid hormones to do their job! And so it goes… we tackle our thyroid hormone replacement and vitamin/mineral levels, and drag them up off the floor over the long haul.

Slowly over the past 18 months my plethora of symptoms have slowly gotten better. Some have disappeared (almost) entirely. Some are still hanging on. Headaches better, rosacea 99% non existent, joint pain/muscle pain like 80-90% better, not as freezing cold all the time, etc etc etc.

Then to confuse us, of course we are human and might very well have other things wrong with us! Like … is my perimenopause turning into menopause… maybe not sure! I got a virus in February that threw me for a loop. Etc etc. Some nothing to do with thyroid, some related, others directly.

You don’t need to understand everything all at once, and you can only really take action on a short list of things all at once.

It’s overwhelming but for me I actually calm down and take comfort in the fact that I just keep my action list and start at the top and just work my way down it.

And… also you can come post here for virtual hugs, excellent input in your bloods, advice on what to do next… when your brain is foggy or spirits are low, we will pick up the slack to help you!

Step by step! You are going in the right direction, and try not to spend too long in the “a bit late for that now” mindset! It’s so easy to, but also easier than you think to look at the bright side and focus your eyes on the good things!!

I hope you can find a way to feel a little peace and calm today, and be proud of the strength and newfound patience that this disease gives us!

[Fizzwhizz in reply to FallingInReverse]

Thank you. Yes a short action list is helpful. I’ve already helped myself by working to optimise vitamins so feel generally better. Working on getting thyroid sorted with a trusted private GP. That’s unfortunately a slow process due to difficulties getting appointments as the practice is so busy. Was thrown a curved ball and badly served imo by the duff advice from private menopause GP who was only looking at sex the hormones. Now I know better! One step at a time. Thank you.

[Astrido]

Hi Fizzwhizz - I find this phrase comforting: "when we have a gap in information, we fill it with our worst fears". So any steps you are taking to get information will help. I am very curious about your "stitch" under your right rib. This is something I have always had too, as did my dad who also had thyroid problems. I always assumed muscular but perhaps not. If you find out anything more on this, please post it.... Hang in there, sounds like you are doing the right things. It's a marathon not a sprint and all that.

[Fizzwhizz in reply to Astrido]

Thank you. The stitch appeared 5 years ago and it’s intermittent. When I mentioned it to my regular GP she dismissed it so I didn’t worry too much. It has got a bit worse and I was on HRT which has a risk of increasing gallbladder issues. I didn’t know this! Also thyroid can cause problems with bile. When the endo poked my right rib it was tender so will just have to take the next step. I was hoping the x ray would be clear but as I’m having pains on and off it’s probably better looked into finally. It doesn’t help when we get poor advice from doctors and then we don’t trust. Thank goodness for this forum and thanks for your reply. I’ll update accordingly.

[arTistapple]

I like your phrase Astrido I think it’s sooooo valid for thyroid issues in particular, where this condition is capable of conjuring up symptoms of just about any illness possible.

Doctors call it hypochondria or somatoform or psychological, or some such rubbish.

Anyway just to say I have had the pain under the rib around the liver/gall bladder area for about probably 45 years. If it was gallbladder it would have a whole host of other digestive type symptoms. Anyway I have discovered both my daughters have this going on too. Damn! I do hope they are not going to develop hypo.

Over the years my thinking is it’s a muscle thing. Muscle is big in hypos. I have so many muscle things now it’s got lost mainly but sometimes I notice it’s there if everything else has settled a bit.

Astrido makes an excellent point. Well spotted.

[Fizzwhizz in reply to arTistapple]

Thank you. I think I’m just a bit panicked because I had a skin cancer removed recently, not a bad skin cancer, but still nobody wants that. I also suspect I have another one which is likely once you have one. Then the chest x ray which I was hoping was ok, then this letter for a scan so something’s amiss it appears. Currently all I have is gaps in information so I’m going to try focus on the fact I’m on my way hopefully to getting things resolved.

Initially I was telling myself it was muscle pain as it’s intermittent but will have to see what’s on the scan.

[arTistapple]

Totally understand Fizz. I think a lot of this ‘panicking’, whilst also part of this illness, is down to a medical profession in which we have little faith. Even if they were available, they are mostly not contactable. As hypos we really do experience wide ranging symptoms to whom there is no-one (possibly apart from on this Forum) to express our concerns. I must admit many of my symptoms I now tend to overlook and off course the other problem that arises from that is “What if I am now ignoring something important?” Eecgh we just can’t win!

I should think after having one cancerous skin issue, you are on full alert. Try to give yourself a little TLC here. Of course you are anxious at the moment and this will be heightened with other tests/investigations going on. You are doing all the right things.