Hi,
I had my Ultrasound today, and after 2 GPs palpating a lump and telling me that there was a definite lump on my Thyroid, the person doing to ultrasound today said that there was no nodule whatsoever, but there were changes associated with Hypothyroidism, and the lump that was felt was likely the Thyroid cartilage. Does this seem plausible?
2 months ago
Thanks to all for your replies. I recently had bloods done (100 mcgm of Levo) and and had these results
TSH: 2.1 (0.27-4.2)
Free T3: 5.4 (3.1-6.8)
Free T4 16.4 (12-22)
Free T4 (fT4) 16.4 pmol/L (12 - 22) 44.0%
Free T3 (fT3) 5.4 pmol/L (3.1 - 6.8) 62.2%
You are only on levothyroxine…..not also taking any T3?
Unusual to have higher Ft3 than Ft4
These results suggest perhaps you are not on high enough dose levothyroxine
reading previous post you found 125mcg too much
You could try increase to 112.5mcg daily
Higher Ft3 could suggest a hot nodule
Unusual to have an FT3 higher than the FT4 but not unheard of when you have Hashi's. Do you have Hashi's? Impossible to navigate through all your different posts to find out. 
And if you have Hashi's, not unusual to have lumps - usually nodules, but one has to trust that the person doing the ultrasound knew what she was looking at. Which makes it weird that she said 'probably' cartilage. I'm not an expert but I find that less than plausible. Think I'd want a second opinion - or at least a better explanation.
Haha, sorry about the disorganized posts! Yeah, I have a diagnosis of Hashimoto's made in 2020, been on lots of diferent dosing regimens which have made minimal difference, T3 not thought to be useful in my case. I was surprised when he mentioned Cartilage, I assumed he would have a look and find a nodule that was likely benign. He did say that there were very, very small 5mn nodules (I think nodules was the term, but I may be wrong), but not one large one).
T3 not thought to be useful in my case.
Ah, so your FT3 is always higher than your FT4?
Seems like this ultrasound has raised more questions than it answers!
No, sometimes my T3 has been lower and indicated a poor converter (I stuck in some old results into SPINA-Thry and most/all showed poor conversion until my most recent test), but my Endocrinologist says that it isn't needed.
Well, excuse me, but what does he know?!? Probably nothing at all! He just doesn't want to prescribe it, that's all. They lie through their teeth when it suits them!
I am not an expert by any means at reading ultrasound reports…. But I’ve had a couple of them and have found it useful to see the actual report.
Can you cut/paste the text of the actual report here? And if youve had others, include them too.
I have always found terminology confusing - lumps, nodules, goiters, mass, and all sorts of words to describe tissue… etc etc.
I do find it plausible that someone palpating from the outside would say they feel something, and call it a “lump”… and then for an US to investigate and conclude it is or isn’t a “lump,” and describe it as something else. Again- I’m still learning what is an actual medical term or what is just descriptive.
And so for me, having the words on the page of the actual report, supported by some googling, has given me an anchor as to what to make of it vs just being told words that may or may not be medically significant.
Thanks. I haven't got a copy of the report yet, all this was told to me at the Ultrasound.
Definitely ask for the report. I’m not in the UK, but assume it’s like your other records and you have a right to ask for it and get it?
In this instance it is a private scan, so I'll definitely get a copy.
Cool! Do share it here when you get it!
Results are back.
The lobes and isthmus are normal sized. Thyroid parenchyma shows diffusely heterogenous echotexture with ill-defined areas of echogenicity. There is no significant hypervasularity. There are some well defined cystic nodules measuring betweeen 3 and 5 mm on the bottom left and right poles of the thyroid. There is no large nodule on the Thyroid. There is no significant cervical lymphadenopathy. Thyroid score U2.
From what I can make sense of, there are some changes present that are often found in people who take Thyroxine replacement/have Hashimoto's, unlike what he said to me at the meeting, there are some nodules where I think I can feel them, but they are small and benign, and I don't have any obvious lymph node issues. Still don't get why he said what he said about the cartilage!
I agree with you! Whoever said cartilage I would not go back to. They were either being lazy with their language or don’t know what they are doing.
Separately, although I think the report is consistent with someone with hashis, I don’t think it has anything to do necessarily with levo/replacement.
Also I’m Curious - the things you feel must feel smaller than a little pea? Because 3mm and 5mm is tiny! I am still trying to find my own almost 2 cm nodule and never can feel it even though my doctor saw it from across the room!
Here’s other stuff I have researched/googled when interpreting my own and my daughters US, which might be interesting to you. Ie, caveat - I am not an expert or experienced at this, but am myself also learning. I welcome all corrections.
There is a distinction between nodules, and cysts. Whereas a nodule can be thyroid tissue… cysts/cystic nodules are fluid-filled. In the big picture, fluid filled cysts are far less concerning and typically said to be nothing to worry about. Like yours.
I looked into this distinction when evaluating the size of my own nodules. I was told that if they hit 2 cm that’s the threshold for a biopsy. Mine were 1.9 cm at their biggest : ) But I also came across how cysts generally don’t have the same concern even when 2 cm or bigger.
Either way - looks like a fine outcome for you!
When I went to the doctor originally it think it was slightly larger, but I would say it is pea sized.
Ultrasound result 
Thyroiditis, Doc suspects Hashimoto's - what should I expect? Was your thyroid lump painful?
Thyroid ultrasound
