General Medicine

» alibaba25 - help

Hi, I have been diagnosed with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis for about 12months now, Im sure its been going on for about 15years before being diagnosed. However my GP refuses to treat despite a huge list of hypothyroid symptoms that are getting worse (TSH at present 4.0) I am frequently out of action completely due to this. I have now within the last three-four months been getting really bad neck pain around the thyroid so much that it prevents me from reading a bedtime story to my children I feel like I have a blockage in my throat and flu like symptoms that last up to two weeks. I really dont know what to do next as I have lost any faith in GP's generally, I haven't been back. Any help or better understanding of whats going on would be much appreciated. Thankyou

-- posted by alibaba25

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» Elaine Moore - help

In response to help posted by alibaba25:
Hi Ali,
Because the lab report probably states the old TSH range of 0.5-5.0, your GP may not realize that you're considered hypothyroid when your TSH is higher than 3.0. And in Hashimoto's or whenever thyroid antibodies are present, patients are usually treated when TSH is higher than 2.5.

While laboratories use old reference ranges based on the manufacturers of testing kits, most endocrinologists are familiar with the new guidelines. You could ask your GP for a referral to an endocrinologist, especially now that your goiter is enlarging enough to cause symptoms.

Goiter (thyroid gland enlargement) occurs in hypothyroidism as the thyroid cells enlarge in their efforts to trap more iodine and produce more thyroid hormone. If the gland is situated further back in the neck, goiter may not be visible....but it can press on the windpipe and interfere with swallowing and cause pain. Pain can also be caused by an infectious form of hypothyroidism known as suppurative thyroiditis.

This condition requires prompt treatment. Most doctors would order a blood count to see if there are signs of infection and an ultrasound or other imaging tests to see if compression against other organs is causing the pain.

Because pain is not a common symptom in Hashimoto's, you should call your doctor and see if you can get an appointment. Hopefully, he will also run tests for your thyroid hormone levels, FT4 and FT3, and order an imaging test. Another option would be to go to a fast track or urgent care clinic. Sometimes these are extensions of emergency departments. Take care, Elaine

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» marytormey - help

In response to help posted by alibaba25:

Try natural safe herbs and see what works for you.
To treat minor neck pain I use ground white willow bark or nutmeg directly on my throat. You can also use aspirin.
To treat sudden severe neck pain I use tea usually sunflower, tarragon and honey but clove tea is also effective.
I use feverfew as needed to treat PMS and long or delayed periods.
I use smoked clams, coffee, hot peppers, sage, lemon balm, seafood, grape juice, pomegranate juice, garlic and beef to help help keep me level.
I avoid foods with low nutritional value like processed corn and wight bread.
You could try kelp, Avena stativa, coleus forskohlii, sargassum, laminaria, cinnamon bark, aconite or ask someone at your local health food store.
If your GP is not treating your symptoms, that probably means that pharmaceuticals are too strong. Natural foods work well for treating such conditions. Eat natual foods that you like your body knows what it needs.

-- posted by marytormey

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» alibaba25 - Hi, Thankyou both for you advice.

Hi, Thankyou both for you advice. I have been back to my GP whom just said to take paracetamol, didn't check any bloods. I feel Im just being fobbed off and now plan to arrange my own appointment with a specialist. As I live in the SW of the UK Im very far from any (dare I say) decent consultants, and we have a National Health Service which only really offers a basic care, if you want to get some result from any problems you may have you have to pay and pay some more, not that I wouldn't but when you cant work due to being so ill it ends up being a vicious circle. However I am planing on seeing a specialist soon and hope he can better understand my situation.
I will try all the natural alternatives you have mentioned, and hope I will be able to heal myself once and for all. Thanks Ali

-- posted by alibaba25

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» Elaine Moore - Hi, Thankyou both for you advice.

In response to Hi, Thankyou both for you advice. posted by alibaba25:
Hi,
Paracetamol, which is acetaminophen in the United States, will help reduce inflammation and pain of thyroiditis, and this, along with the excellent supplement advice you've receeived, should help relieve your symptoms until you can see a specialist and find out what's going on. Best to you, Elaine

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