General Medicine

» alibaba25 - Thyroid nodule in hashimoto's thyroiditis

Hi, I have been feeling so ill for months now, firstly had bloods that revealed subclinical hypo,(tsh 5.5) was tested again a few months later to find TSH was now 2.5 (but still had 10lb to lose, still had extream cold spells etc etc. To make the discussion brief I now have a tsh of 4 and have been getting pain on swallowing, and talking and in the neck that comes and goes, heart palps, periods of anger, no sex drive, swollen hands feet and numbness in my lips, fingers. I when back to my doctor and finally he sent me to my ENT specialist to look at my neck, he found right thyroid lobe enlargement, and a nodule. I should be having a thyroid scan to see if this is anything more. But I don't understand if this is normal to be hypo and have hyper symptoms, and if anyone has had a similar experience as im worried i might be miss diagnosed, or is there anything more I should keep in mind. Thanks Ali

-- posted by alibaba25

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» Elaine Moore - Thyroid nodule in hashimoto's thyroiditis

In response to Thyroid nodule in hashimoto's thyroiditis posted by alibaba25:
Hi,
There are two possibilities for the hyper symptoms that you're having and the fall in your TSH level.

1. You could have one or more nodules that have started to secrete excess thyroid hormone.

2. You may be producing stimulating TSH reveptor antibodies that are causing a symptom of Hashitoxicosis. Here, you're primarily hypothyroid but the antibodies cause transient bursts of thyroid hormone.

Either condition could eventually lead to permanent hyperthyroidism with the first leading to toxic multinodular goiter (TMG). In TMG the word toxic means hyperthyroid rather than toxic in the usual sense.
In the second scenario, Hashitoxicosis can move into Graves' disease if levels of stimulating TSH receptor antibodies (TSI) continue to rise.

Best to you, Elaine

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» alibaba25 - Thyroid nodule in hashimoto's thyroiditis

In response to Thyroid nodule in hashimoto's thyroiditis posted by daisyelaine:

Hi, thankyou for the information.
My ENT doc briefly said if it was a nodule that was secreting thyroid hormone, he would remove it. Is this the best option? and what would happen after I had the nodule removed? Would I go back to being hypo? Do you think It would be worth me asking for a TSH receptor antibodies test?
What is the usual treatment for the above.
Just to mention after both my children Im sure I must have been hyperthyroid as I lost about 12lb and was too thin, 18months after my first was born I was pregnant with my second, child, during the pregnancy I gained three times as much weight as I did with my first, again after about 8months I lost weight again this time about 10lb below my normal weight this went on for approx one year. I then started to feel so tired I couldn't do very much other than exist, I gained about 16lb in weight in only six weeks and that's when I was said to have subclinical hypothyroid. I have also had other times in the past when my weight has gone up, despite exercising and and eating healthy, but never really lost weight until my pregnancies. Its all very confusing but I guess all will be revealed when I have a scan. Thanks Ali

-- posted by alibaba25

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» Elaine Moore - Thyroid nodule in hashimoto's thyroiditis

In response to Thyroid nodule in hashimoto's thyroiditis posted by alibaba25:
Hi,
It would be good to have a test for stimulating TSH receptor antibodies to see if you've moved into Graves' disease. You may have had episodes of Graves' disease in the past, or you may have had postpartum thyroiditis. This typically causes a period of hyperthyroidism that can last several months and be followed by a period of hypothyroidism, which can last indefinitely or resolve after several months.
It's not unusual either to have episodes of Graves' disease triggered during pregnancy or the postpartum period, within a year after pregnancy that resolve within 6 months to a year.
The scan will show if your nodule is primarily hot or cold, but the scan can't tell this with any certainty. Nor can it tell what type of cells the nodule is made of. If the nodule is small and not growing it's usually considered benign. And most nodules are benign especially if they secrete excess thyroid hormone.
A low iodine diet can shrink the size of nodules and reduce associated hyperthyroidism. Anti-thyroid drugs can also be used to reduce levels. And if the nodule looks at all suspicious you'd want to have a biopsy to tell what it's composed of.
Surgery is another option and radioiodine is also used although radioiodine can cause nodule development in remaining tissue, and you wouldn't be able to have tissue studies on the nodular growth. So you have several options to consider with the least invasive approach usually recommended first. Best, Elaine

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» alibaba25 - follow up please read.

Hi, Just been for my ultrasound scan of the thyroid. I was told I have indeed got a abnormal thyroid and the whole of the thyroid has inflammation. No nodules were seen. I have been told in the past I have Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Is there anything that can be done as I have a lot of pain in the thyroid. I have to wait some time before I can see anyone and just want to know what is likely to be said. Will I be put on thyroid replacement hormones? or anti-inflamatories? I'm just so confused, I want to be my normal weight instead of squeesing into my clothes, have energy again etc etc. Will there be any light at the end of this long tunnel of feeling ill. Any info much appreciated. Ali

-- posted by alibaba25

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