about panel testing at my upcoming physical

[Cherie762]

Hi all, I have Hashis, Dx'd about 8 years ago, I have a large goiter on thyroid, and a nodule very near cartoid artery, When I was first diagnosed doctor sent me to two surgeons, as he felt the nodule should be removed, Both surgeons refused the surgery on the grounds that it was way to close to that very important artery for their comfort. I just let it go, my general blood work ,which is checked every 3 months is always fine ,white count and so on, I am also on lipitor, besides the synthroid ,which is why they watch my blood to be certain liver is not comprimised.

My question is I have cruised through this forum and read many of the threads. I used to have the dry skin, hair loss and standard Hashi symptoms, synthroid has taken care of all of that for me, i really dont feel bad except i do now have very very dry skin. My dr always does just the cheap thyroid test, I am going for a complete physicalm in two days. I just think a full thyroid panel should be done, am I right? also what would the proper name for a full thyroid scan be , just that? Since I really have not had a good full physical in three years are there any other questions I should ask regarding the thyroid?

do you think I am right in feeling relaxed about the nodule that was once such a concern? I did have a FNB at origional dx and it was fine,,I kinda think after 8 years it would be time for a scan of some sort, what do you think?

[Cherie762]

thank you, I out of curiosity will insist on the T3, FreeT3 and others next time,,I feel I have been relativley lucky with my symptoms,,have a gut feeling to check the nodule, I am seeing a neurosurgeon about my neck cervical problems, and they tend to go in anteriorly now, not sure if they will with my goiter and the nodule,

as for the skin I also have only estrogen from a patch,,I am going to have that level tested also.

good idea on the ultrasound yes I had one only one years ago it should be time for one just to be safe I should think.

thank you for your quick and good advice, !!

[goolarra]

The "cheap" test (I love the reference!) is probably TSH, and you're right, it is cheap...both in price and in the information, or lack thereof, that is gives you.

To find out much more about your thyroid status, have free T3 (FT3) and free T4 (FT4) tested.  These are the actual thyroid hormones and will tell you much more about what's going on.

You should also probably ask for a thyroid ultrasound to check on your nodule.  Comparing this ultrasound with any previous ones (have you had others?) will let you know if that nodule has remained stable over the past eight years.

It sounds like your thyroid symptoms are pretty well under control, except for the dry skin, and that could have any number of causes.