Thyroid results 'normal' but still have concerning symptoms

[Olanic]

I have been to gp and had blood test for thyroid problems. Phoned for results and told was normal and no further action (by receptionist).

I asked for my level and was told TSH was 0.73

I feel excessively tired, I have a goitre and recently can feel a lump at the bottom of my throat when I swallow.

Should I just let this go and accept it's not a thyroid problem? It still doesn't explain the lump in my throat

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

No do not let this go. I would return and ask the GP to explain the results to you in person rather than on the phone via a receptionist.

Never accept "normal" when it comes to such problems either.

This may be a useful website to you:-

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/index.html

[booox]

Were you diagnosed with a goitre by GP?

[Pleasemrstweedie]

Two things could be happening here, but as you have a goitre, there is definitely something going on.

Read up on secondary hypothyroidism. TSH testing alone is not enough and will not pick this up.

bestpractice.bmj.com/best-practice/monograph/1121.html

cks.nice.org.uk/hypothyroidism#!scenario:2

Alternatively it could be Hashimoto's Disease (auto-immune hypothyroidism) where results can vary but the underlying condition is always present. You need to ask for the following tests: TSH; FT4; FT3; TPO and TgAB. if your GP won't oblige, //www.thyroiduk.org.uk will tell you how do get them done privately.

[Olanic]

Doctor recorded goitre present and said if my blood tests weren't normal she would refer me for a scan. Obviously that's not going to happen.

I went on the throiduk site and have quite a few of the symptoms. Vertigo is one they prescribe me medication for for one.

I was made to feel like a hypochondriac as it was, I may ask to see someone different.

[booox]

Hmm at the least you should be being monitored I think.

[booox]

Did they test for antibodies?

[ofudginghell]

Don't accept a receptionists normal is my personal opinion.
I had surgery to remove my thyroid three years ago now but mine was severely overactive due to Graves' disease.
My body runs better when I'm over the normal indicator because the guidelines are exactly that,a guideline,not a definite number.
I'm lucky that I have a good go who has studied endocrinology so goes by how I'm feeling and not my bloods but I've had four years of thyroid related issues which will affect me for the rest of my life.
My other piece of advice would be research and knowledge and finding a good endocrine go or consultant is your best bet.
Good luck.

[Olanic]

I don't know about antibodies. They did kidney, full blood count and thyroid as I remember from the sheet.

I need to go back, I feel dreadful so it must be something.

[booox]

You could ask to be referred to an endocrinologist.

I have recently found my ferritin does need to be over 70 too; the endo I saw commented the 50 I was at was a little low.

[booox]

Antibodies would indicate autoimmune disease; your goitre could be the thyroid reacting to try to fro to counter the attack.

I'm not sure of the nice guidelines go goitre but it could be worth double checking.

[Olanic]

It seems to be linked in with Thyroid.

You would think that the fact I have a goitre and I can feel a lump at the bottom of my throat when I swallow would qualify me. I still think the TSH is on the low side of normal too under the circumstances.

[Sofabitch]

I had thyroid cancer with normal blood test results. They discovered it when they did a biopsy on the goitre. They were most surprised.

Tsh alone isn't enough to tell you anything. Push for the full range of tests and ask for a refer ally to an endocrine specialist

[booox]

www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Goitre/Pages/Treatment.aspx

Even nhs says you should be monitoring. I'd ask for a referral to endocrinology .

[Olanic]

Thank you Violetsunflower, I am going to go back on Monday and ask to be properly referred.

My gran had her thyroid removed because of problems (they were aware of this too)

I think I'll ask to see a different doctor.