Hyperthyroidism Support Group
Hyperthyroidism (or "overactive thyroid gland") is the clinical syndrome featuring weight loss (often accompanied by a ravenous appetite), fatigue, weakness, hyperactivity, irritability, apathy, depression, polyuria, and sweating. Additional symptoms may include palpitations and arrhythmias (notably atrial fibrillation), dyspnea, loss of libido, nausea, vomiting, and...
Hi everyone! I'm new here and was wondering if anyone else has had colloid cysts and how were they treated? The ultrasound shows one on each lobe. They are very small apparently. Will be seeing endocrinologist on November 17. Any info would be greatly appreciated. TY
We call them as thyroid nodules rather than colloid cysts.
Are you referring as having multinodular goiter?
Are you having any hypER or hypO symptoms?
Did you have the thyroid levels of the Free T3 and the Free T4 tested along with the TSH? If so what are the numbers? Please post so we can better help you. Please include the lab reference ranges for the tests done.
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I would get these tests done since the TSH test alone doesn't present a complete picture of how things are doing for someone with some kind of a thyroid issue.
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Are you from the USA? If so the T3 and the T4 doesn't indicate that these are the Free Ts. The Free Ts would be better tests because these are not affected by one's diet and hormones.
I am guessing since the T3 is out of range at the high end that to help get the numbers down would be taking a beta blocker.
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What was your diagnosis on the nodules? Do they have to be removed?
I see you have gone through so much. (And, I am sorry you had to go through so much)
If you were diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, was it caused by Graves Disease or by the nodules or goiter?I, personally, never dealt with that but because of all your other symptoms - they can be addressed and you will feel much better. Have any of your doctors recommended take calcium supplements w/ Vitamin D3 for bone density? Have you had a bone density test? The heart issues coincide with a major hyperthyroid symptom. Have you been prescribed a beta blocker? The FM could be associated with the foods you eat that don’t get along with the GD. I have had my moments when I ate too much sugar or didn’t take the right supplements. I really want to help you get over these “road blocks” for you. I have been blessed with “finally” finding out that I had GD (after so many years) and now, after 8 months, I am feeling so much better.
Mmztcass knows her stuff. She has helped me. Get the Free T3 and Free T4 labs done and lets get you into ship shape. We are here for you. Take Care.
As for all my health issues.... re the osteoporosis... if you Google "Hyperthyroidism and brittle bones", you will see that it will also affect your bone density. "Hyperthyroidism is associated with an increased excretion of calcium and phosphorus in the urine and stool, which results in a loss of bone mineral." - www. medicinenet.com I have been taking bisphosphonates and vitamin d and calcium supplements for years. And still the numbers were going down. Two osteoporotic fractures later, they want to put me on Forteo daily injections for two years and then apparently... no more osteoporosis!!! Wonderful !! Right??? One small problem... it's been known to cause bone cancer!!! They don't even have data on the long term effects of this drug as too many mice were developping tumours in the early stages of administration of the injections!!! I am hoping and praying that the condition of my bones will be restored once my thyroid problem is resolved.
For the atrial fibrillation, thankfully my symptoms don't happen all the time. So I have a PRN for Metoprolol when needed.
Like I said in an earlier post, I'm not sure that I do have FM. but the scary thing is that I was diagnosed with it in 2008!!! Don't even want to think about the possibility that it was an overactive thyroid all this time!!!
Lastly, I called my GP today and was told that it was in fact blood tests for free t3 and free t4 that I had done.
I live in Quebec and they do not test for free t3 and free t4 if the tsh is normal. This is why I was never diagnosed.... my tsh was always within the normal range. Only when I went to my doctor and insisted that she test for the free t3 and free t4, did the results come back with a high free t3.
Sad state of affairs if patients have to start telling doctors what they should be testing them for! That is why I decided to join this group and connect with other people who have been or who are going through the same thing as me right now.
There is power in knowledge and I want to be well informed and prepared for when I see this endocrinologist.
I'm happy that they finally diagnosed you with GD and that you are now feeling better.
Thank you so much for your input and time, Take care.
I agree it IS a sad state of affairs when one has to make sure their doctors do their job.
Now, that you have taken your medical care into your own hands, you should request blood tests for the T.S.H., Free T3 and Free T4 every 4-6 weeks to see where your levels are...IF you decide to take anti-thyroid meds. IF the nodules are causing the hyperthyroidism, you might be told to have them removed. I don’t know much about that but if they remove the nodules, do they remove the thyroid with it, as well. If they do, you are in a different league. As your thyroid’s hormones clear out of your body, it will need a replacement (like synthyroid).
I am probably jumping the gun, here.
You bring your test results to this Endocrinologist. Since they are seeing you for the first time, they SHOULD want you to take specific blood tests to get a better idea of what is going on with you. Some of these blood tests are for Vitamin D, cortisol, TSI, TRaB, Calcium, magnesium, etc. They should take an ultrasound of your thyroid. They might ask you to take an radioactive uptake & scan to determine if Graves Disease is causing the hyperthyroid. The TRaB & TSI blood test can tell you that. (Mmztcass told me that) I don’t know what the test is to see if these nodules are cancerous (sorry, pue pue - no bad vibes on that) IF they are, they will remove the nodules, and I think the thyroid - but don’t think about that - it’s not confirmed.
There is something called Zometa, my husband took it for his bones. He has Multiple Myeloma (a bone/blood cancer) that causes brittle and easier fractured bones. He told me that it wasn’t cancer causing. (To his knowledge) Have you been taking mor calcium/mag/vit D3 eventhough lots of it is leached out. I hope there is a form that will be more absorbable in your body.
I am hoping you wind up on MMI and that takes care of your heart issues so you can stop taking that medication.
I hope everything comes together. Take Care
To chime in to what has been said. Ask the Endo to order the TSI and TRAb antibodies test for Graves' Disease and the TPOab and the TgAb to check for Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. This will help to determine which of the antibodies are higher.
Most likely that since the TSH number is not at 0.01 (as is the case for Graves' Disease) the antibodies could be pointing at Hashimoto's Thyroiditis which is a mostly hypO autoimmune thyroid disorder.
Or it could be pointing at toxic multinodular goiter which is hypERthyroidism which is treated with meds (I would suggest that as first route first to go with meds).
I would recommend to avoid Radiation by going with an ultrasound and using FNA (Fine Needle Aspiration) for any suspicious nodules. However majority of the nodules are benign.
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If you think back and realize that it was the doctors who decided you were normal because the blood test results said you were in range.....AND, they did not really listen to YOUR symptoms and history/how long you have had them, would make me think whether I should trust the doctors judgment. I never questioned the doctors. NOW, I do. I insist on what I think I should be tested for. I ask a lot of questions. If I am not satisfied, I go see another doctor. Take the control out of the doctors hands and put them in your hands. They call it a doctors practice....PRACTICE. They treat so many patients.....and they are definitely NOT perfect and NOT ALL KNOWING. I feel this is also a woman thing. Men are treated better. I saw it with my own eyes when my doctor treated my husband and me. I choose women doctors, now. And, for me, I feel I am being treated with the respect I deserve. Just something zi wanted to share with you. Take Care.
I just noticed after rereading the posts up there (was too tired last night to notice), that the Calcium and vitamin D cannot be taken without Magnesium. Also is needed to take for strong bones by adding a vitamin K2.
Please research on these. Many doctors mistakenly do not tell their patients anything about the Magnesium needing to help the Calcium be absorbed into the bones and teeth.
Magnesium deficiency is quite wide spread with 80 to 90% of the population deficient.
Good places to research would be: Dr. Carolyn Dean, Christiane Northrup, etc.
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In addition to the Actonel, which I am no longer taking, I also take Caltrate Plus which has magnesium ( but after researching Dr. Carolyn Dean...I don't think its enough). It also has vitamin K1 but not K2. Will look into that as well.
Unfortunately, Zometa is a bisphosphonate as well. I would respond in the same way.
And as for trusting Doctors ..... I have lost faith in most of them, and like you StillLearning I try to choose female doctors whenever I can. It's not always possible and, here in Quebec, it is very difficult to get appointments with specialists. Very long wait lists. Many people don't even have a family doctor. It's awful.
Trying to keep my spirits up and hoping for the best. Will let you know how everything turns out. Sending blessings and hugs to you....
November 17th is almost here. Good luck with the appointment. Have all your questions ready because...you know why....doctors like to get us in and out of the office for their next appointment as quickly as possible. I truly hope you get some solid answers. And, that the doctor will give you sound advice and put you on the path to recovery. Take Care.