I saw endo for the first time. I have a few questions… Previously I’ve posted my Free T4 and TSH which were both in range. While discussing my symptoms and asking for additional blood work – T3 and antibodies, he said he call generally tell if a Thyroid problem is Hashimotos from the ultrasound. So he wouldn’t order those tests unless he saw something on the ultrasound… which he did not. (He did order the T3.) Can you tell Hashi’s from an ultrasound?
Since I have multinodual goiter – including one solid nodule, he took several FNA biopsies. Based on the samples he drew, he didn’t think the labs would show anything. But interestingly he said my thyroid was ‘rubbery’ and didn’t respond to the needle like it ‘should.’ He was still able to get many viable samples. Anyone experience anything like this?
He said, he thinks the blood work will come back within range and the biopsy will be fine so I’ll only have to come back in 6 months for a re-check. When I asked him, “What about my symptoms?” He said, "I can only tell you it isn't your thyroid." He said I would have to go back to my PCP…no discussion of other possible endo type problems… adrenal, pituitary, etc… And yes, I got the every dreaded “Everyone handles stress differently?” Ugghhh.
at this moment i dont recall if he said the gray areas of my thyroid were due to hypothyroidism in general, or specifically hashimoto's. i mean, we already knew i had hashi's because of blood results, and i think the majority of hypo is hashi's.
people can have normal ranges and still be hyper or hypo.
yeah i've gotten the generic, all-encompassing "it must be stress" diagnosis from docs who are stumped or too narrow-minded to figure out that i'm hypo.
if you've only seen one endo, maybe you should try another, and another, and another. took me 4 try's to find a decent one.
K9Mom, Thanks. I didn't realize the biopsy would test for Hashi's - I thought they only looked for cancer or infection.
Scoot,
I've read many people's posts here with the idea that you can be hyper/hypo and still have blood results in the normal range. I can see that - especially if the person's results are on the edge... is that what you mean? And before talking with the endo, I wouldn't question it... but he was SO firm in his opinion that if your blood tests are normal, your thyroid is fine. And BTW, I have already scheduled an appt. with another endo for June 8th. I figure by then, I 'll either be feeling better for some unknown reason, or I be further along and maybe I can get some help.
For anyone who's had FNA - how long was your throat sore?
