Thyroid questions -sorry it's a long one

[Munchlet]

So a bit of background. I've had health anxiety for years and years always suffered from depression, anxiety, panic attacks etc.

A few years ago I started to think I didn't feel so good, loss of energy, no sex drive, periods doing their own thing and I put it down to needing to lose weight, and being on antidepressants and general ageing.

Over the last couple of years I've had periods where I've felt relatively ok but despite going to the gym, eating healthy I've never managed to lose weight. In addition my periods have become more and more irregular, I've started developing aches in muscles, I've also had loads of throat/sinus/ear problems and started snoring incredibly loudly.

I've been referred to ENT and checked for sleep apnea. Outcome I have Eustachian Tube Dysfunction and can't find a reason for snoring.

About a year ago I went to the doctor as I'd had a spell of extreme anxiety a throat virus I couldn't shake and I mentioned I felt I had a lump in my throat. The GP wasn't very helpful and responded with "if you had a lump in your throat I'd be able to see it". So that was that.

Further on I'm still having throat issues, increase in joint/muscle pain, more irregular periods, fatigue mainly when waking up, freezing cold hands and feet, extremely dry skin which doctor has commented on. My last thyroid labs were ok TSH was just under 3. I paid for private testings and my TSH was again just under 3 and FT4 was very low end of normal.

Anyway fast forward to now I visit GP last week to say about my throat and she feels my throat and says "you have a goitre" I need to check your thyroid and we need to keep an eye on you as it usually means that it's either producing too much or not enough hormone. So I've now had more blood tests a few days ago. As I've not heard anything I assume they were normal but I'm not sure what to do next and here's where I'm hoping for some advice.

I am sure something is wrong with my thyroid, I virtually tick every box for symptoms.
I have a swollen thyroid which Dr isn't worried about as she can't feel any lumps or bumps it's just generally enlarged but from my view I'm sure this is what is causing a lot of my throat/snoring issues.

This isn't just one of my normal HA things I guess I'm just worried I'm going to get brushed off and told to deal with it and I do feel that I'm feeling worse and the symptoms are getting harder to deal with whereas at first I could just tolerate them and make excuses.

I just wondered if anyone has an experience of thyroid problems and could recommend where I go from here, should I request an ultrasound?

If you are still with me thanks very much sorry it's so long but I just wanted to give some background.

[KeeKee]

Are you still taking antidepressants? They can make weight loss difficult.

I suppose your goitre could also be hindering it too, if it turns out to be caused by an underactive thyroid. I don't know much about thyroid issues as I don't have them myself, but I do have a relative with an underactive thyroid that was diagnosed due to them feeling crappy and I also have a relative who had a (benign) thyroid mass and they also described the lump in throat feeling.

If I were you I'd ring the doctors to confirm they are normal and if so I'd ask about your goitre as that could well he causing your snoring and I'd probably also want further testing. Not because I would think it's anything sinister, but because you have been told you have a goitre and you shouldn't just have to 'get on with it' if it's causing you physical discomfort.

Thyroid issues are quite common in my experience. So I wouldn't worry at all, but I totally understand how low it can make you feel when you aren't right.

[countrygirl]

I used to work as an advisor for a thyroid charity as many on here know.
The plus side is that now you will have the tests needed and have treatment as needed as well.
You probably had borderline thyroid issues for a long time which you would have physically felt even though your results were not bad enough to warrant treatment.
Once they have got your results and know if your producing not enough thyroid hormones ( it can work opposite way and produce too much) then things will start to move, they will also be testing your for antibodies as the most common cause of goitre and lack of thyroid hormones is Hashimotos Thyrotoxicosis which is very treatable so don't worry.
They may send you for ultrasound at some point, if this is going to be a worry for you if they don't then by all means do ask your Dr is you can have this done earlier rather than later.
You can always message me if you want to ask any questions.

[Munchlet]

Thank you KeeKee and Country Girl for your replies.

I am going to ring tomorrow and see if the results are back and depending on what they say I'm going to book in a follow up appt regarding the goiter.

I'm trying not to worry but as with anyone with HA it is at the back of my mind "what if it's something sinister" so I think for that reason alone I will need to get it followed up even if my thyroid tests are normal.

Country Girl i'm not sure if they will have done the antibodies test as she just put Thyroid function on the form and the NHS website says that just consists of TSH and T4.

Thanks again for the replies, I might take you up on your offer of messaging you Country Girl if that's ok? once I get my results. Depending on what the results say I might consider seeing someone privately and get a second opinion.

Will keep you posted.

[countrygirl]

Straight thyroid tests are TSH T4 and free T4 but your Dr can ask for antibody tests as well. They are starting at the beginning and seeing whats what so this may be next if your basic tests are wonky.

If you do decide to see someone make sure its an endocrinologist who specialises in thyroid disease.

I am always happy for you to pm me

[Munchlet]

Hi again so my TSH has come back at 3.06 and doctor says it's normal no further action at this stage they will monitor me.

I honestly feel so terrible I've booked an appt to go in and discuss my goiter and I think I'm going to pay privately to have the full range of thyroid tests done.

I probably sound paranoid but I'm convinced somethings going on and I know in America they treat for thyroid problems at a TSH over 3

[KeeKee]

Before you pay privately just discuss your concern with your GP, they may be willing to offer more blood tests. I've read that even at high and low levels of normal, you can still feel 'not right', so maybe you can discuss this with your GP too.

I seriously don't think you have anything to worry about though, thyroid issues are common and from what I've read (just Google etc but even still) malignancies in the thyroid are very rare. 3 of my relatives have underactive thyroids and another relative had a thyroid 'mass'. They are all doing fine.

[Munchlet]

Thanks KeeKee I think I am going to go back and write down all the symptoms I've been experiencing over the years that are getting progressively worse and the fact I've been on medication for years for anxiety/depression etc and see what they have to say.

From my perspective if my TSH is rising gradually which it is and I'm getting more and more symptoms they can't explain and a goitre then surely a trial of thyroid meds would be worth it just to see if it helps. It would probably save them a small fortune in the long run as it might stop the constant visits and referrals for scans, tests etc.