Lab results and scans

Hello all, I'm new here! Anyway, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's just over a year ago and am on 70 mg of thyoxine a day. Even though I've been on replacement for a year I'm still exhausted with little stamina. Over the last few months I've been getting neck discomfort, or rather, sore in the thyroid area. I was hoping that someone on this board are any good at understanding lab and scan results.

My latest labs were;

TSH - 2.6 mU/L (0.20-4.00)
T4 - 15 pmol/L (15-30)
T3 - 5.3 pmol/L (2.8-6.8)
Anti-thyroglobulin Ab - 1400 U/mL (3 months ago was 730)
Anti-thryoid peroxidase Ab - 1400 U/mL

The ultrasound... "There are a number of small solid nodules below the left lobe of the thyroid and one by the right lobe, which are presumably lymph nodes. Whether there is any pathology in them I could not say."

Then a cat scan (which followed a few days later;)

"In the lower pole of the right lobe of the thyroid there is a small hypodense area which could be a small nodule although there is some hard artefact. On the left side the low density posteriorly may be due to artefact as well.There is no parathyroid adenoma or  any mass lesion.

No lymphadenopathy is seen. A normal sized lymphnode is seen in the left supaclavicular region adjacent to the jugular vein. Parathyroids are not obvious. Right thyoid lobe measures 46mm in long axis and the left 51 mm.

No definite signs of lypadenopathy or lymphoma. Thyroid gland is slightly bulky consistent with minor goitre."

I am a bit lost because initially the doctor (and the ultrasound results) said I had numerous swollen lymph nodes around my thyroid area. Yet the cat scan says nodule/hyperdensity? And, if it could be nodules shouldn't they be doing a needle aspiration?? The doctor seemed unconcerned and didn't say much at all about the results.

[deb62d]

Hi there,
I lived with hashi for about 18 yrs when i found a tiny nodule on my left lower lobe,it was papillary.No not all hashi turnes to papillary.
Now hashi renders your thyroid to have an irrregular shape ,and i had and was told to take motrin for the neck pain assoc with hashi. My endo doc did many ultra sounds on my neck over the years from what i though were changes.
Going for a second opinion may be what you need to do. Head and neck surgeon?
You may feel better with a lower tsh,closer to 1.0. Everyone is different.
Were there any other scans to compare with???
You hang in there

[Marin600]

Hi.  If you've been with the same dr. since your original diagnosis, try to find a dr who specializes in only the adrenal glands.  An unconcerned dr isn't in your best interests.  I'd definitely be looking for someone who sees a lot of cases every day.  They're more apt to understand your situation and to take the time to explain it to you.  Get back with us and tell us what happens.  Best wishes.

[gapeach76]

I had it too until my TT in October.  Same kind of symptoms with the funky huge goiter that was covered in little nodules with one large one.  After an unsuccesful FNA I told them to just take the thing out.  It wasn't until after my TT that I found out I had Hashi for certain and I am SO glad that my thyroid is gone now!!  I no longer have to worry about if the nodules are growing, etc.  It was such a weight off my mind.  And I no longer have a thyroid that hates me :o)

If you are worried about your care, find another dr.  I agree that keeping the levels around 1 is what made me feel wonderful.  Anything higher and I feel horrible.  I'm at .96 right now and it's perfect.  Good luck to you!

[rubyrose7]

Thanks so much for your replies :-)

I understand my TSH may be a little bit high. But I'm more concerned about the very high thyroid antibodies which are both at 1400 (should both be under 60 according to this particular lab.)

I've been on thyroid replacement medication for over a year now! And, instead of the antibodies going down because of being on the meds, they're going UP! In fact, they have more than doubled over the last 3 months - from 730 to 1400. I'm currently taking 70 mg a day of oroxine.

I'm still confused whether I have nodules or not and whether I need a needle aspiration.

Thanks again for you replies!