Am I getting a goiter?

[nela75]

I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's and hypothyroidism and I've been on 50 mcg of eutirox since 25th June, but in the last 10 days my thyroid is getting larger. The doctor I went to see about the dosage of the medication said everything was ok, my thyroid was a little enlarged and I told her that happened in the 10 days and she laughed, said I probably just pay more attention now but that is not true - I pay more attention to it since May, since I've learned I have a problem with thyroid. Anyway my question is should I be getting a goiter since I am on medication, is that possible? Is there anything I can do about it?
I do feel a little better with eutirox but I don't feel like I used to.. I am still tired, moody, loosing my hair and don't sleep well and the doctor said that I am fine since my hormones are all in the normal range TSH 1.34; FT4 15,8 and FT3 4,9 and my ATPO are down from 1000 to 443, 8. But I am so frustrated because my thyroid is getting larger and I don't feel well yet and nothing is going to be done about it!!! ARGH! This is my 4th doctor just to let you know before you tell me to find another one. I live in Dubai so if anyone knows a good doctor here please write.
Please help. Thank you

[nela75]

Thank you so much writing. I didn't know about the TSH (all of my doctors said it should be between 1 and 2). I've been on 50 mcg since 25th June and I am feeling better but far from normal and I just hate it when doctors tell me you're fine now, your hormones are normal. And that's it. I just don't want to live my life feeling like this if I don't have to. So thank you for helping me find some solutions for myself. I'll try to get my doctor to give me more medicine. Thank you again. Please write if you have any other suggestions.

[Barb135]

Thank you for posting the ranges for your Free's.  They are both in the lower end of the range and would indicate that you are still slightly hypo in spite of your TSH being at 1.34.  For Hashi patients, the TSH often has to be suppressed to between 0.5-1.0.  MY last TSH (done last week) is only 0.03, but my Free's are still only mid range and I'd like to get them up a bit higher, so am going to push for a small increase in med.  

If you've only been on the med for 10  days, that's not nearly long enough for it to make a difference.  It normally takes between 5-6 weeks to get the full effect of a med change.  This is a very nasty disease that we have and much as I know you won't like to hear this ----- it takes a lot of patience to get to a point where we can make it through an entire day without feeling like "poo"..............Don't feel bad - *I* don't have patience with it either...................lol   If you're like I was, once you get a diagnosis and get on med - you should start feeling better ---- well, it was only after I found medhelp that I realized exactly what was happening to me and only thanks to some of the great people on here that I've been able to hang on and push for what I think I need.  

I strongly suggest that you try the ice packs on your neck - actually, I often found that just a very cold wash cloth or paper towel did wonders.  You will be having your ultra sound in just a few day, so try to be calm (I know that's easier said than done, but I've been where you are).  The ice/cold cloth plus an aleve did wonders for me - still do when I have a really bad attack............

[nela75]

Oh, sorry, I forgot to put the lab ranges, here they are:

FT4 11.5 - 22.7      and mine is 15.8
FT3 2.76 - 6.45                          4.9

[Barb135]

Your TSH looks good, but what are the lab ranges for the FT4 and FT3?  Labs use different ranges, so it's impossible to comment on those results without the corresponding ranges.  These ranges should be on your lab report next to the results.

Do try the selenium, but keep in mind that it may take a while for you to be able to notice a difference AND it doesn't work for everyone.  

Also, please be assured that you are NOT alone in this - I know sometimes it's hard to know what to do and when our families/friends don't understand what's happening to us, it's kind of hard to deal with.  Whenever that happens just log on to medhelp - there will be someone to help you out.  

[nela75]

Thanks so much for answering it means a lot really. I sometimes feel so alone in all of this. Thanks so much for the tip on selenium. I'll try anything just to feel good again.
These are my lab results:
FT4 15.8 pmol/L
FT3 4.9 pmol/L
TSH 1.340 ulU/ml

[Barb135]

Can you post the lab's reference ranges for your Free T4 and Free T3?  Since lab's use different reference ranges, it's impossible to know where you fall in the range and you might just need your meds tweaked a bit.  Your TPOab is still high at 443 and you could be having what I call a "Hashi Attack" or as CC9 said "thyroiditis"........Since you were diagnosed with Hashimoto's, you already have a goiter - it could be swelling more for some reason.  But then I'm not a doctor either.  

One thing to be very sure of is:  Don't ever rub your neck in the thyroid area - rubbing or squeezing your thyroid can irritate it further.  You can try putting an ice pack on it - that might help if it's painful.  In addition to that, several months ago, I began taking 200 mg selenium daily and that's done wonders to keep the Hashi from flaring as often or as badly.  Keep in mind that selenium will NOT "get rid" of Hashi, nor does it work for everyone, but it's a relatively inexpensive thing to try and if it helps you are that much further ahead.  

If your thyroid is truly getting larger it will show up on the ultra sound and depending on the findings, maybe your doctor will do something.  Will look forward to having you post the lab's reference ranges for your "Free's"......and hope you get to feeling better.

[ChitChatNine]

Hi, could be thyoriditis or nodules.  But I'm not a doc.

C~

[nela75]

Yes, three times, but every one gives me different opinions. But I've had all three of them before my thyroid became enlarged. I am scheduled for an ultra sound in 9 days, but would like to get some info before then just to be prepared.
Thank you for welcoming me.

[ChitChatNine]

Welcome to our Community!  I am sure others will jump in and have advice!  As you wait you may want to do a Community Search for thyrodiitis as an idea.  

Have you had an ultrasound?

C~