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Thyroid Cancer, Nodules & Hyperthyroidism (Expert Forum)
Goiter with normal thyroid levels
Answered by
Mark Lupo, M.D. - Thyroid Nodules, Thyroid Cancer, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, Thyroid Ultrasound
Thyroid & Endocrine Center of Florida
Sarasota - FL
Questions in the Thyroid forum are answered by Mark Lupo, MD. Topics covered include Goiter, Graves Disease, Hyperthyroid, Parathyroid/Calcium Problems, Thyroid Cancer, Thyroid Nodules/Cysts, Thyroiditis, Thyroid & Pregnancy, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Thyroid Tests, and Thyroid Surgery.
Goiter with normal thyroid levels
by AngelaN1981, Aug 28, 2009 01:29PM
Hello,
Almost three years ago I was diagnosed with a goiter and hyperthyroidism. I had the goiter surgically removed and was fine up until 5 months ago. In March of this year I started having some of the same hyperthyroid symptoms I had with my first goiter (including sinus tachycardia that landed me in the emergency room ). So I checked in with my endo who said my TSH levels were normal ( .93) but that I had high thyroid antibodies, which is "pretty normal". I also had mild levels of inflammation, so I was sent to a rhuematologist, who found nothing out of the ordinary via extensive testing, even though some of my symptoms seemed to mimic Lupus . It was around this time that I started feeling swelling in my throat on and off and noticed a lump. I went back to my endo and had to almost force him to get me an ultrasound and check my levels again. The ultrasound revealed another large goiter but my TSH again came back normal ( 1.4). I am set to have a biopsy done but I still feel horrible and I have been having horrible symptoms such as: tremor, chest tightness, PVC's, nausea, anxiety , and exhaustion, all on and off . My questions are : is it possible to have normal TSH levels but still have hyper or hypo symptoms due to the high levels of antibodies and does this recurrent goiter and the elevated levels suggest an underlying disorder? My endo seems reluctant to make a diagnosis of any kind of disease at this point . Thank You
Almost three years ago I was diagnosed with a goiter and hyperthyroidism. I had the goiter surgically removed and was fine up until 5 months ago. In March of this year I started having some of the same hyperthyroid symptoms I had with my first goiter (including sinus tachycardia that landed me in the emergency room ). So I checked in with my endo who said my TSH levels were normal ( .93) but that I had high thyroid antibodies, which is "pretty normal". I also had mild levels of inflammation, so I was sent to a rhuematologist, who found nothing out of the ordinary via extensive testing, even though some of my symptoms seemed to mimic Lupus . It was around this time that I started feeling swelling in my throat on and off and noticed a lump. I went back to my endo and had to almost force him to get me an ultrasound and check my levels again. The ultrasound revealed another large goiter but my TSH again came back normal ( 1.4). I am set to have a biopsy done but I still feel horrible and I have been having horrible symptoms such as: tremor, chest tightness, PVC's, nausea, anxiety , and exhaustion, all on and off . My questions are : is it possible to have normal TSH levels but still have hyper or hypo symptoms due to the high levels of antibodies and does this recurrent goiter and the elevated levels suggest an underlying disorder? My endo seems reluctant to make a diagnosis of any kind of disease at this point . Thank You
Doctor's Answer
by Mark Lupo, M.D., Aug 28, 2009 05:22PM
, Aug 28, 2009 05:22PM
It is unlikely to have normal TSH and hyperthyroidism -- would test T4 and T3 as well, but the chest tightness, tremor, PVC's etc cannot be attributed to thyroid at this point. Would watch thyroid levels closely to make sure they are not trending up/down
Member Comments (2)
by Bree73, Aug 29, 2009 01:10AM
To: Hello
I have been treated by my Dr for 15years now for hypothyroidism. I've complained a few times that I still feel tired and my symptoms are just not gone. I went to a new Dr a few weeks ago and he said they never check the right thyroid, that they should check the free T3. Well mine came back at 246 which this Dr felt was to low and felt it would be good to drop the syntroid and just take this prescription he wrote out for me to for the free T3. Why such differences on the whole thyroid approach and is it wise to drop my synthoid if the TSH levels are ok and do I really need to add T3 if my level are within the range? Won't I possibly be setting myself up for hyperthyroidism?
