Aa
Have a Goiter
I realize a goiter is swelling of the thyroid. What are the possible readons for this swelling? I am waiting on my antibodies testing and the Free T3. I also am having an ultraound done on Monday. My tSH last month was 4.420 with the range being 0.400-4.00 Free T4 was 0.96 with a range of 0.9-1.8. Dr.said that was in normal range. Have all the symptoms of Hypo. She is waiting until bloodwork comes back to give medication. She left it up to me if I wanted it or not. I said yes I want it. I would love to see what 45 feels like. Anyway anyone with Goiter experience your comments are appreciated.
Doctor's office said positive for antibodies, FT3 is normal,and tsh is high at 3.82. She is waiting on ultrasound results to start medication.So I am assuming that yes I have Hashimoto's?.
Thank you Barb that is great information. I am hoping that they don't find anything other than an enlargement when they do the ultrasound. My Endo did order those other tests I am awaiting results. I had them on Wednesday and the Dr. was at a seminar on Friday so no one called me. I go Monday for the ultrasound so I will get my results then.
I am so hoping that this is the problem and I will start feeling better soon. I spend most of my day ready to cry because I am so tired and I just hurt all over. I can't get anything done around my house. I am working on my Bachelor's degree and struggling to get through this. I am 45 years old and I am quite sure I feel worse than my 90 year old grandmother. It is hard to believe that a lack of a hormone would cause this much pain and suffering. This is incredible to me.
Anyway thanks again for your support and I will keep you updated.
I am so hoping that this is the problem and I will start feeling better soon. I spend most of my day ready to cry because I am so tired and I just hurt all over. I can't get anything done around my house. I am working on my Bachelor's degree and struggling to get through this. I am 45 years old and I am quite sure I feel worse than my 90 year old grandmother. It is hard to believe that a lack of a hormone would cause this much pain and suffering. This is incredible to me.
Anyway thanks again for your support and I will keep you updated.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Have you been tested for Hashimoto's Thyroiditis? That's an autoimmune thyroid disease in which antibodies are continually working to destroy your thyroid. This can cause swelling of the thyroid and also that "lump" in throat feeling.
Your TSH is high (new range is 0.3-3.0, but many labs still using old ranges); and your FT 4 is too low. Yes, it's within the range, but still too low. Many people do best with FT4 at about the mid point of the range.
You also need to get your doctor to test for FT3, which is the actual active thyroid hormone. Ask for tests for FT3 (many doctors are reluctant to do this), TPOab and TGab (antibody tests). If you are positive for antibodies, that means you have Hashimoto's; and as your thyroid is "killed off", you will get more and more hypo. In my opinion, you should begin to take the med before your symptoms become worse.
You need to be on a dosage that will alleviate symptoms and balance out your FT3 and FT4, without too much emphasis being put on TSH.
Your TSH is high (new range is 0.3-3.0, but many labs still using old ranges); and your FT 4 is too low. Yes, it's within the range, but still too low. Many people do best with FT4 at about the mid point of the range.
You also need to get your doctor to test for FT3, which is the actual active thyroid hormone. Ask for tests for FT3 (many doctors are reluctant to do this), TPOab and TGab (antibody tests). If you are positive for antibodies, that means you have Hashimoto's; and as your thyroid is "killed off", you will get more and more hypo. In my opinion, you should begin to take the med before your symptoms become worse.
You need to be on a dosage that will alleviate symptoms and balance out your FT3 and FT4, without too much emphasis being put on TSH.
Thanks so much ladies for your responses. God bless you both also. Thank you for the information. I have the problem too where I don't want anything touching my neck. It is like a lump sits at the bottom of your throat.
I had a Goiter probably most of my life but didn't realize it until i had a few doc's ask me if i had one...and my response was: A who????? Not until 2007, i had tests to confirm it. My blood work was all fine and i had no symptoms other than the large neck and it was uncomfortable to wear a turtleneck or a choker necklace.
I was diagnosed with an enlarged thyroid Goiter w/nodules. Within a two year spand i had several sonograms, scans and biopsies which all lead to a Total Thyroidectomy in dec of 09.
Depending on the cause and the condition, you may have to watch and wait or decided on surgery. Even with a goiter, your blood work can be normal especially if you are not diagnosted wi/ Hashi's or graves. God Bless You.
I was diagnosed with an enlarged thyroid Goiter w/nodules. Within a two year spand i had several sonograms, scans and biopsies which all lead to a Total Thyroidectomy in dec of 09.
Depending on the cause and the condition, you may have to watch and wait or decided on surgery. Even with a goiter, your blood work can be normal especially if you are not diagnosted wi/ Hashi's or graves. God Bless You.
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