Not sure if I'm in the right place...

[Lotus2770]

Hi my name is Jo and I'm a 27 yr old female.

Back in January I developed real problems swallowing. I went to my doctor a few weeks later as my boyfriend thought I'd burnt my throat after eating something hot, hence the delay in seeking care sooner.

The doctor I saw seemed to think I had an overactive thyroid judging by my recent blood test results which noted one of the thyroid hormones was quite high. She also said I looked to have a goitre and for a petite person like me, it wasn't that hard to see - even my boyfriend agreed it looked swollen!

So I begun to start drinking cranberry juice and eat as healthily as I could - bearing in mind of course that I have really bad problems swallowing solid food - so I stuck to things I know I could handle, e.g., soups, things that could melt easily, I even went as far as smothering harder foods in sauce simply so it could go down ok.

I had another blood test which came back ok. This I found hard to believe as I'd been referred to an ENT for a scan on my thyroid. That came back ok too, although the consultant said the thyroid itself looked bulky. I was told it was quite normal for it to have been so.

I had an MRI done on my head and neck and that came back fine as well. On the follow-up I've just been to - which was today - the consultant asked me how I've been and I've said near enough the same. And that was true. Nothing had changed, I still can't eat as well as I could and so was I meant to be happy about the fact I can't eat as much as I used to???

Anyway, that aside, everyone remains convinced I have a thyroid issue from what my symptoms are, but I'd like to know from anyone else before I start thinking about complaining to my doctor. My symptoms are:

10 week history of problems swallowing (dysphagia)

1 menstrual period has been late (not extremely late, it was out by 4 days. But because I get my periods the day they're predicted to be on, it's a bit of a worry)

1 stone lost in weight (I did weigh 8.4st, now I weigh at least 7.3st)

Constant dark circles under my eyes, no matter how much I sleep for

Neck had considerably sized goite for 4 weeks, but still looks a little swollen on the right side.

Pain in my hips, right ribs, right wrist, right side of my chest and right side of my stomach.

Really, really hungry!!!

Pain behind my eyes

Vision goes blurry soon after blinking

Nausea, worse in the morning

Headaches, always in the morning - I wake up with them and that's regardless of my alarm waking me up or if I wake up on my own

Early morning waking - sometimes more than once in one night

Trouble sleeping, but when I do sleep I could be out for several hours. Even if I do sleep a lot in one day I still wake up tired

Constipation

History of urinary tract infections

At one point my doctor thought I had anaemia from a lack of iron in my blood

I have to wait a week for a letter regarding possible tests with my stomach and GI tract, but the consultant I saw today is convinced what I have is thyroid-related. I don't think I can last much longer than a week judging by what I've eaten over the past several weeks!

Any advice would be very much appreciated.

Thanks

[Barb135]

I also note that you are in UK, and we have a few members from there, who have difficulty getting proper tests and treatment, due to rigid NHS guidelines.

Look forward to seeing the labs.

[Barb135]

What tests have you had done and what are the results?  Be sure to add reference ranges, as these vary lab to lab and must come from your own report.  You should have had, at least, TSH, Free T3 and Free T4.  

You have symptoms of both hyper and hypo.  Have you had any antibody tests done to determine if you have an autoimmune thyroid disease, such as Graves Disease or Hashimoto's Thyroiditis?  

Once you post lab results, members can assess your situation better.

[redheadaussie]

Hi I am not sure what you are asking. You say everyone is saying you have a thyroid issue yet you aren't seeming to accept that. It really does sound like you might be hoping it isn't, which is quite a normal reaction, but I think you do have a goitre and need some treatment. Are you worried about it if it IS a thyroid issue? Not trying to be picky just curious.
  Is there any history in your family of thyroid illness?
Your symptoms could be either hypo or hyper, they can overlap.
What blood tests did you have? If you tell us the results including the reference ranges (usually numbers next to the results levels) we can help you figure out what is happening.
  

[Lotus2770]

To add, it would make a lot of sense if I do happen to be hyperthyroid, as I always feel like I don't stop - that I'm always on the go. Does anyone else get this same feeling? Thanks!!