Hypothyroidism Support Group
Hypothyroidism is the disease state caused by insufficient production of thyrohormone by the thyroid gland. There are several distinct causes for chronic hypothyroidism, the most common being Hashimoto's thyroiditis and hypothyroidism following radioiodine therapy for hyperthyroidism. Advanced hypothyroidism may cause severe complications, the most serious one of which is...
Hi folks! I'm new to this group, and have been active on the DVT & PE support groups on DS for the past year. I had a DVT/PE last year, and on consultation for THAT, my hematologist discovered my goiter. I've had 2 follow up ultrasounds since then, and today is my first fine needle aspiration (one of the nodules has grown).
After reading posts regarding nodules and FNA on this board, I have to say I'm not as worried as I would have been. My thyroid labs (TSH and free T4) have been coming back normal per doc, and he has tested for autoimmune diseases (not sure about hashi tho - I think he's only run the FANA test...would that catch hashimoto's too?) I have just about every hypothyroid symptom in the book, but no labs to support a hypothyroid dx. My thyroid is full of nodules and cysts though, so I gotta wonder how it could work properly...
Anyway, I just wanted to introduce myself as I'm sure after today's test results I'll have a BUNCH of questions for you. You've already helped a LOT!
-Laura
After reading posts regarding nodules and FNA on this board, I have to say I'm not as worried as I would have been. My thyroid labs (TSH and free T4) have been coming back normal per doc, and he has tested for autoimmune diseases (not sure about hashi tho - I think he's only run the FANA test...would that catch hashimoto's too?) I have just about every hypothyroid symptom in the book, but no labs to support a hypothyroid dx. My thyroid is full of nodules and cysts though, so I gotta wonder how it could work properly...
Anyway, I just wanted to introduce myself as I'm sure after today's test results I'll have a BUNCH of questions for you. You've already helped a LOT!
-Laura
What are the doctors calling "normal"? They should also take in account, your symptoms, and the obvious problems with your thyroid!
The range for your TSH can be as low as 2 and still be hypothyroid. The doctor needs to test both Free T3 and Free T4, and if you can find a doctor to test your reverse T3. This will tell you if you have high rT3, it will cancel out the free T3. You want to test the T3 to tell if the hormone is being converted from the T4 to T3. If this is not tested the doctor is just poking around in the dark, and doesn't have a clue. (which happens with a lot of doctors!) If he is just going by TSH, find another doctor, that is read up in the current studies about hypothyroid.
Good luck!
Jon
He said he did TSH and free T4 and they were normal 6 months ago. I asked if they were High normal, Low normal or Perfectly normal (because I still don't know the right questions to ask!)and he said "high normal". I have no idea what that means. He runs tests for autoimmune diseases based on my symptoms, but I don't think Hashi's is included, and my symptoms scream hypothyroid to me...but who am I to say? Seems the symptoms of hypothyroid are shared by many diseases and conditions that could befall a 45 year old female!
So I will ask about the T3 and rT3. If I get an "all is well" from him, I will seek another opinion. Thanks for the info!