I'm looking for some advice please? I have been to the drs many times over the years to have my thyroid tested as I struggle with fatigue, depression, weight gain, brain fog. My bloods have always come back 'normal' and I've never questioned them... I trust the system. However, my family have lots of history of thyroid related illness, my dad had hypothyroidism, it went undiagnosed for many years and he died of a heart attack young (it was eventually diagnosed after a false cancer diagnosis) he was never really able to manage it. Recently I have developed a sizable lump on the front of my throat, so off I trot to the drs once more... I've done some research and I'm fairly sure it is my thyroid as it isn't painful, moves up and down when I swallow. The lump is causing me to choke in my sleep and my voice has changed. My GP was great, referred me to the 'lump in neck' clinic for suspected thyroid cancer (!). I had a three week wait for an appointment, I had bloods done which came back normal (TSH 0.86 (0.30-4.20)). At my appointment with thyroid surgery they performed an ultrasound and discovered a cyst measuring 2cm and other nodules. They said this is normal and the ultrasound was enough to diagnose, they didn't do the biopsy. They said they wouldn't remove it unless it gets very suddenly bigger or if it heamoraged.
I have since paid for a private blood test, for my own piece of mind as the GP one only showed the TSH. This has also come back normal other than a vitamin D deficiency results are:
I'm just not sure if I should challenge having to live with a lump in my neck and obvious symptoms and family history when honestly some days I don't have the energy to finish my day at work!
Am I just being paranoid?
Happy to answer any follow up questions
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Quinnevans
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It's not just your Vit D that is dire they all are! Are you going to show these to your GP or get on and supplement yourself? They tend to only offer treatment if you are deficient so Vit D at best as the others are just scraping over the 'normal' (but dire) levels
They will certainly effect your thyroid output and with fT3 higher than fT4 it's certainly struggling
My bloods have always come back 'normal' and I've never questioned them... I trust the system…
I'm just not sure if I should challenge having to live with a lump in my neck and obvious symptoms and family history when honestly some days I don't have the energy to finish my day at work!
Welcome to the forum!
Whether one trusts the system or not, you should absolutely question your results. The medical system has a spotty record when it comes to thyroid for many reasons. And I think getting a “second opinion” was a must even in the best of times. It certainly is nowadays.
Also, when it comes to “in range” blood test results - just because something is in range it doesn’t mean “nothing to see here!” Being high or low in range are vastly different things, and can lead to entirely different treatment approaches. Then, on top of that, each of us can have a different levels where we feel best. In the same way both a size 5 and an 8 shoe size could be “normal” and “in range”… but not right for you.
When you list out the physical symptoms of the cyst… it’s only later in the post that you note your low energy and trouble finishing the work day.
That kind of fatigue is also a symptom, and as this is a thyroid board, you have come to the best place for your “second opinion” as to what your thyroid has to do with how you feel.
As TiggerMe says, things are a little wonky with your results. And the first thing you’ll hear is that you would definitely do well to tackle your vitamins and bring them up. As you probably know, those four are needed for your thyroid to function optimally. And yours being too low (even though still in range) are likely impacting your FT4 on the low side. At this point no one would recommend directly treating your thyroid hormone levels. But many people have found improvements in fatigue by first bringing their vitamins to more optimal levels, and in turn they will better support your thyroid.
Lastly, thyroid nodules/cysts/lumps etc found on an ultrasound can be tricky to understand. Since you called your thing a “cyst” then it is consistent that they said to wait and see.
But you need to ask questions and educate yourself - language is easy to conflate… lumps, nodules and cysts are all different. That might not be immediately evident as most stuff you Google about it are all about nodules.
This forum has incredible collective wisdom to share. Let us know how you do.
Welcome to the group. If you could complete your profile it helps members understand your thyroid journey so far and be able to advise you better. Click on your image icon to start. Fill out the free text box at the top.
Your TSH looks reasonable but your FT4 is at the bottom of the range which indicates problems. It may be that if you fix some of your terrible vitamin levels your TSH goes up. GPs often only look at TSH but FT4 & FT3 levels tell a story too.
Antibodies are negative but not all autoimmune hypo people have positive antibodies.
Did the thyroid scan show any other changes other than the nodules?
All of your vitamins are terribly low, some more than others. This is often seen in thyroid conditions as hypo people get low stomach acid which causes poor absorption of vitamins from food. No wonder you feel terrible with all the low results you have.
First step would be to fix the vitamin levels and raise them to OPTIMAL which will help how you feel.
Show your GP these results who may want to repeat them as the NHS doesnt accept private results.
GP might prescribe loading dose of Vit D. When that finishes you will need to buy your own supply. Buy one that includes vit K2 to help it go to your bones. Some are available in oil or you can take it with an oily meal for better absorption. Many members like the ‘Better You’ range of mouth sprays that contain both bit D & K2. Use this calculator to work out how much to take to get your level to 100-150.grassrootshealth.net/projec...
Are you vegan or vegetarian? If not:
B12 - do you have symptoms of B12 deficiency? The reference range for B12 is very wide and cut off point too low. theb12society.com/signs-and...
If you do then you should discuss this with your doctor for further tests for Pernicious Anaemia.
If not, then start with a methyl B12 sublingual spray or lozenge for a week, then add a good B complex. Once you run out of the separate B12 just continue with the B complex.
Ferritin should be around 90 - 100 for best use of thyroid hormone. Suggest increasing iron rich foods in diet and eating them often. Chicken livers, pate, red meat etc
Thank you so much for all of this. I honestly didn't know that my vitamin levels would have such an impact. I've ordered the Vit D with K2 and worked out a loading dose. I've also ordered a B12 sublingual and B complex.. just to get me going in the right direction. Thank you 🙏
Your vitamins D, folate, ferritin and B12 are all way too low. Just one being too low can cause fatigue, so with all being that low you’ll definitely be having fatigue issues. What is your diet like? It may need improvements but it might be that you’re not absorbing vitamins very well. If I was you I’d buy some very good vitamins to boost them all. I would also revisit your gp with the results of your vitamins and ask for prescriptions to boost them. This might be a life long problem and you need to add vitamins and get your bloods checked routinely. I have a thyroid condition and need b12 injections and a repeat prescription for ferritin. My D and folate are ok. Yours however are all too low. Getting your vitamins addressed can give you a real lift and increased energy and wellness all over your body. It’s an easy fix and one you should definitely address.
My doctor says as long as you are having symptoms, your results are NOT normal. So for example, my t4 was at a level 4 normal but on the high end. But I kept having all the symptoms. When he got it down to 1.25 I felt great! So we stopped. It took a year of playing with my meds. Eventually I started having symptoms again and it turned out I had to go on a t3 medicine too (liothyronine) then went back to feeling normal. Then years later had to go off the t3 and increase my t4 because there was too big of a difference between my t4 and t3 levels! I had to change doctors 4 times before I found the one that listened to me. Listen to your body and don't give up! Changes will come, but with the right doctor it is very manageable!
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