Thyroid? Advice on what to ask GP

[OhGood]

Hi all. I would really love some advice before I go and see the GP next week.

A couple of years ago I had a terrible infection of some kind (GP said 'virus, you'll get better') and was really ill for a couple of months.

In the few months after that, I lost a huge amount of weight (10 kgs) in a short time for no reason, and my thyroid was swollen and painful. Had some tests and apparently was in normal range. Was totally fed up with whole thing so accepted GP's advice to do nothing, and eventually felt better.

Now my thyroid hurts again - well, my throat hurts in the same spot. And in the last 8ish months I have gained huge amounts of weight, again for no apparent reason. Feel generally crap and exhausted (which have put down to being 43 and suddenly 15 kgs heavier).

Oh also I have had mild trouble swallowing - feel like something stuck in throat; have started choking and spluttering occasionally when I eat.

Oh and also my DM has had her thyroid removed - nodules, non-cancerous thank god.

Saw GP a month or so ago and tried to tell her this stuff and was brushed off. Trying again, different doc.

If you're a thyroid pro (so to speak) I'd love to know what I should be telling / asking the GP. Do you think the weight gain is relevant? Should I ask to see previous results?

Thank you.

[TheVanguardSix]

You need an ultrasound scan of your thyroid.

My mum is of a family of 7 and all 7 of them have had either thyroid cancer, nodules, goiter, hashimoto's thyroiditis. In all of their cases, their lab work came back normal.

You sound similar to my mum who has hashimoto's thyroiditis (it's an autoimmune disorder of the thyroid- your virus may have triggered an autoimmune response. This happened to me with Lupus, another autoimmune disorder). In tandem with this, she gets a large cyst on her thyroid which causes her to have difficulty swallowing/breathing as it grows. She has to get it drained about every 18 months.

Anyway, you want to see if you have a cyst/nodules and get your GP to order you an ultrasound scan of the thyroid. Get a FULL thyroid panel done, not just TSH but T4 and free T3. Ideally, you want to be referred to endocrinology. But wait to see what the bloodwork and ultrasound show. Good luck.

[S0dabread]

I'm no expert but just for context I'm hypo and have had lumps / swellings biopsied but came back as normal. Think you have had great advice above and would push for more investigation. From my POV it seems Drs. rely on fairly blunt tools and need a push or fear of a cancer diagnosis to move to more sophiscated tests. Lots of very clever people on here who can advise. Also search for other older threads which may be helpfull to you. Hope you do feel better soon and get the care you need.

[saison4]

agree, you need at least a thyroid scan to start with. I have a biggish nodule, but normal blood work and had a few scans and biopsies on it to monitor. I feel absolutely fine though and have no.tbyroid symptoms so cannot help with the other stuff.

did you get a print out of your thyroid results? GPs often say it is ok as long as it is within range but it doesn't mean it's ok. I would definitely get a print out and do some online digging regarding your levels.

[OhGood]

OK, so that's:

I should really get a scan
I should get print-outs of my thyroid results
I should ask for a full thyroid panel

Thanks - that's really useful.

[TheVanguardSix]

If you can push for a referral to endocrinology (this might be tough with normal test results), I would try. Because thyroid is tricky. Most GPs just don't have a clue.
But the endocrinologist will run blood tests beyond your GP's scope. And it would be great if actually the scan could be arranged through an endocrinologist rather than GP.
So I'd see the GP, tell him/her your symptoms, play up your strong family history and based on those two things, ask for a referral to endocrinology (scan and full blood panel to be done within the endocrinology clinic).
If your GP will NOT refer you, then ask your GP for a full thyroid panel to be done at the surgery and an ultrasound scan of the thyroid, AND an antibody test to rule out the autoimmune factor (Hashimoto's thyroiditis).
Sorry to repeat myself, but I was thinking of you and in the first instance, I'd push for that referral.
Good luck!

[OhGood]

Thanks, Vanguard. I appreciate it because it's hard to know what's me being hypochondriac or overcautious. So objective opinion helps.

[OhGood]

Hi Vanguard. So I have been referred in the first instance to rule out cancer. Also a full blood panel. Then when those results back they will deal with next steps. So glad I went!

[TheVanguardSix]

OhGood Wow! That is excellent news that you've been referred! But you poor thing, hearing the C word is always terrifying. We've had a lot of thyroid cancer in my family. It tends to be incredibly slow-growing and highly treatable, which is the good news (in case this is what you might be facing). But also, it's excellent that they are starting from the point of ruling out cancer. They can work backwards from there.

Your symptoms sound so much like my mum's. She did not have cancer but the Hashimoto's thyroiditis I was telling you about, combined with a fluid-filled (benign) cyst which keeps coming back and they keep draining. If she were younger and not on blood thinners, they'd remove her thyroid.

I wish you all the very, very best of luck. Hand-holding all the way! Feel free to keep in touch. I hope your news results in a really easy-to-treat outcome. May good health be restored! and hugs!