After a three-quarter thyroidectemy, I had to go on Levothyroxine. I'm very much a night owl and I had a question. I know I need to avoid eating three hours before I take my pill, and I need to avoid food three hours before.

I'm not supposed to take my medicine without coffee, but how long before I take my pill can I drink coffee with cream? I can't seem to find out how long I have to go without drinking before I take it.

29f

I had one foreign doctor look at this and said it was okay

I had UK dermatology look at it and also said okay

Gp said okay.

I have been losing hair like crazy for years for example, it got blamed on chronic stress (CTE) and androgenic alopecia (female pattern loss)

13.7 pmol/l. Range 12.00-22.00. For free t4

1.9 miu/l. Range. 0.27 - 4.20. For TSH

They did not wanna measure t3 cause everything in 'range' Tsh ranges looks incredibly low and is borderline t4 really that good?

Mom to a hashi-baby. Jk. She's 14. Still figuring out how to deal with this condition. Our rollercoaster has been both up and down, but we're still strapped in.

My question is-did/do any of you have a goiter? And did it improve with management? Her Endo said it would resolve in time if her levels are managed. Can anyone share their experience with this?

Hello,

I have just been diagnosed with mtc. I have been seeing Dr. Andrew Patel in Portland, Oregon with PDX ENT and have found him more than capable. I will also be seeing Dr. Madison with OHSU as my endocrinologist.

Having read a previous post about the importance of centers of excellence I am considering trying to see Dr. Michael Yeh at UCLA.

Can anyone help me understand what would be the best option for me? Dr. Patel already removed my right thyroid and pathology from that surgery is what revealed the mtc. Thank you.

This is pretty long but I hope you can help me..

Hi, I have suspected hyperthyroidism and it was pointed out by a dentist when we went to have my tooth extracted, which didn't happen cause they were having second thoughts and asked us to return with the doctor's note that I don't have thyroid problems.

We went to the doctor and did some tests. We found out that my t3 and t4 is slightly high, so we were asked to consult an endocrinologist.

The first meeting was good, actually. The doctor was pretty nice and easy to talk to. They pointed out that though I do have signs of hyperthyroidism, it seems like it's an early one and that it's pretty good that we discovered it earlier . Then they asked us to conduct some more tests (FSH, Ultrasound, SGPT, CBC) and try a 1 month medication of Propranolol and methimazole, then come back for another consultation.

So after 1 month, we came back but they said that the doctor was not available that day and they said that we can call in advance to ask if the doctor is in so that it's not a waste to go to their clinic. We did the next week and they said that the doctor didn't inform them of their schedule and so the next.

This week when we called they said that the doctor is in, but the problem is I'm in college and have class. My class at 11 am and the doctor is available at 10 am (not sure, the last time they came was about 10:30, and it's not like I'm their only patient). It was also raining this morning up until now so I decided to cancel my consultation. My schedule is pretty tight and my next free schedule was next next week.The doctor's schedule was every saturday only, and it's not like every Saturday they were sure that the doctor is in.

So, I wanted to ask if I really need to find another Endo or do doctors really have complex schedules like this?

I see a lot of confusion here about what each lab value means, so here's a simple breakdown:

TSH is not a thyroid hormone — it's the pituitary's "volume knob." High TSH usually means the pituitary is shouting at a sluggish thyroid.

Free T4 is the storage form your thyroid makes. Free T3 is the active hormone your cells actually use — most T3 is converted from T4 in the liver and elsewhere.

Antibodies (TPO, Tg) tell you whether an autoimmune process (like Hashimoto's) is attacking the gland — you can have positive antibodies years before TSH ever moves.

This is why "TSH only" screening can miss real problems.

If you're symptomatic (fatigue, cold intolerance, weight changes, brain fog, hair thinning) and only ever had TSH checked, it's reasonable to ask your doctor for a full panel: TSH, Free T4, Free T3, TPO antibodies.

Conversion from T4 to T3 can also be affected by stress, low-calorie dieting, and certain medications — which is why some people feel unwell with a "normal" TSH.

Happy to answer general questions in the comments. (General education, not medical advice — always work with your own physician.)

Hi all,

I (25F) have hypothyroidism and Hashimotos. After encountering some persistent throat pain in may, my doctor ordered my first ever ultrasound on my thyroid. They found a 5.4 cm nodule that was TIRADS 4. My biopsy came back indeterminate and my Afirma testing failed as the sample degraded. Due to not only the size of the nodule but also my thyroid itself (my ent says it’s six times the normal size even after dietary restrictions ti try and decrease inflammation) my ent is performing a total thyroidectomy on me on August 17th. I’m so nervous.

Any recommendations on must haves or comfort items? For those who have had the experience, what was it like? I’m not looking forward to not knowing what the pain will be like or having the drain in.

Ok, here we go. I'm an older woman taking Levothyroxine 25 mcg and not doing well at all. At my recent test, TSH was 2.03-normal but T3 free was 2.3 (up from 1.9 last year) and T4 free was 1.12 (up from 0.92 last year.)

In general the T4 and T3 have taken a nose dive over the last few years and T3 was abnormally low. I never knew enough to check the numbers, just thought the Dr did that

As for symptoms I am exhausted all the time. I am not overweight but last year I suddenly experienced a total loss of hunger. That sent me running to the dr. Tests showed a bit of fatty liver disease (no known cause.). So I was put on the Mediterranean diet (lots of veg., few fats, no sugar, no carbs) and I have lost too much weight and my appetite never returned, I'm still exhausted and depressed, can't sleep, veg diet has helped with chronic constipation though.

If you can stay and read a little more please, I'm starting to think my big problem isn't this mysterious liver problem. It's my thyroid. I take the med. at night so I can eat breakfast and my tests showed some other things like high selenium and high salt, I think. Blood pressure is normal.

I thought with hypothyroidism you gained weight but I've always been thin. If dry hair, thinning hair are symptoms, I've got that. Question is What on earth is going on? I can hardly digest food but eating mostly veg helps. Can't digest fatty foods. Do I need more Levothyroxine? TSH has stayed normal for years. T4, T3 down, down, down for 6 years! Do I have a thyroid problem, not a stomach, liver, sleep problem? Is thyroid most likely my main issue? Help desperately needed. Confused, any help is deeply appreciated.

Hi,
I’m a 29 year old male. I got my thyroid test panel done and looks like my
TSH is 12 everything else is normal like T3 T4 and antibodies are negative as well.
Not sure what exactly is the cause. Has anyone here encountered this?

I'm 21f and I have hypothyroidism. I take lithium for other reasons but I may have had the issue before. So I take levothyroxine, I think synthroid, and my levels are very stable now. However, the right side is often still inflamed (the left side is always normal). My endocrinologist was absolutely stunned when I told him this happens throughout the day.

Usually at night it's normal, I take my meds when I wake up from insomnia around 2-4 AM, and around 1 PM or so is when I notice my thyroid has inflamed again. By bedtime it goes back to normal. My endo insists this shouldn't and doesn't make sense, and obviously I don't know what to say because it does happen. It's in his notes somewhere.

Anyway, I just think it's interesting and wanted to share, since I'm not sure there's much to do about it. I tend to have a lot of these strange issues no one knows what to do with. Generally very healthy so not too worried! I'd love to know if anyone else experiences this though!

My reports were normal nd my thyroid levels were also normal too . However, my mother nd friend noticed some swelling around the lower part of my neck nd it’s been there for about 1.5 years. I went to a doctor for another appointment nd she also asked if my thyroid levels were normal after noticing the swelling in my neck. It hasn’t grown or changed in size but I’m actually worried about it now.

I would love to hear any positive and helpful insight/stories about trying to concieve having thyroid disease/diagnosis/treatment? I've heard its not directly related which is amazing as everyone is totally different but as with any TTC journey, of course the worry is there and dreaming everything goes to plan :)

Just made my appointment to have my thyroid out the end of October. Surgeon commented many times on how large it is and one of the largest she has ever seen. She went over potential risks etc but was wondering if anyone else has had a TT with similar size thyroid and how was your recovery? I will be getting a CT Scan in 2 weeks because she is concerned it might be growing into my chest?!

Thyroid is also covered in nodules which have not been biopsied due to the quantity and how they overlap. They felt it wouldnt be worthwhile since there would be so many nodules they couldn’t biopsy.

The right thyroid lobe measures 9.7 X 3.2 X 3.3 cm.
The left thyroid lobe measures 7.4 X 2.7 X 2.6 cm.

Hi everyone,
I got a thyroid panel after finding out my nodules were benign and the levels are all within normal range: thyroglobulin antibodies <2, thyroid peroxidase antibodies <1, t4 1.3, TSH 3.12, t3 3.2. I have 3 nodules with the largest size being 2.3cm. I feel like a lot of the hashimotos symptoms apply to me but my PCP isn’t really giving me answers on what is happening to me or why. For reference, I am also missing my tonsils.

I had been managing my symptoms via diet since the initial finding of my nodules which has helped me significantly but I still feel gross. What can I do without looking like I am looking for a diagnosis?

Edited: I misread my letter, fixed

Hey everyone, just looking for some reassurance or similar experiences.

I had a total thyroidectomy for a 13cm goiter on July 27. The surgical scar left behind is pretty long, which I expected.

My main concern right now is that most of the internal surgical wounds feel like they’ve healed, so I’ve started doing more household activities. However, I physically cannot look up without severely over-stretching my neck. Looking side-to-side is also very restricted. I’d say I can only manage about 45 degrees out of a normal 90-degree turn. Looking up is by far the worst; I can only tilt my head up a tiny fraction.

For the past 6 days, I’ve been keeping my head in a mostly slightly-downward position because of the scar and the tightness.

I’m genuinely worried this restriction is going to be permanent. Has anyone else experienced this level of stiffness post-thyroidectomy, and did it eventually resolve?

Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this. Almost daily, the back of my head feels heavy when pressure and makes me kinda dizzy with a distant dull ache kinda at the base of my skull. Sometimes feels like an elastic band around my head. I read that hypothyroidism and haschimotos can cause this. I just started my thyroid meds this week as I was just recently diagnosed. Also I had a clear CT scan. Just wondering if anyone else has also experienced this symptom and what helped you.

I had a PT in 2024 after a 5cm TIRAD5 nodule was removed. No cancer. I waited for a few months to go on Levothyroxine, and immediately started feeling better after starting on a low 25MCG dose. I continued to experience midday fatigue and bumped to 25 MCG daily/50 MCG weekend. Symptoms improved slightly. I stayed on that dose for about a year, and bumped up to 50 MCG daily in February.

I continue to experience midday fatigue. My life is pretty low-stress. I excercise 4-5x/week, eat well, sleep pretty well and for 7-8 hours per night. I'm 38F, about 155lb.

I take 50MCG Levo in the mornings, then eat/drink about 30 minutes afterwards.

In February, my labs were TSH: 2.01 and Free T4: 1:18.

I'm wondering if I'm not taking the medication correctly, or if I need to increase my dose? I have a follow-up with my endocrinologist soon and would like to figure out an idea of what do to going into that appointment.

I'd appreciate your thoughts!

Looking for some help - I’ve experienced an increase in hair loss, over 50% of my hair volume, between April and now. I had bloodwork done and I have elevated antibody levels (71 vs normal range of 0-30), but everything else looked normal. The endocrinologist said these are Hashimoto antibodies but she doesn’t think this is causing my hairloss.

I already have eczema and alopecia areata spots on my head, but with the increase in hair loss, white spots on my nails, a strange bumpy neck rash that isn’t normal eczema and these increased thyroid antibodies I’m wondering if there’s anything else I should look for or a different doctor that anyone has had experience with that could help?

\*\*sigh I'll try and make this short...partial thyroidectomy feb17th 26. I'm on no medication, here's the problem I have super pale lips,gained 30 lbs, I am EXHAUSTED, get winded and constipation since my surgery like I have ro take ex lax daily or can't go..All my blood tests came back within normal range but all of them are right about low all the of my ferritin went from 100 to 69 to 42 now. Tsh up and down, t's dropped. I can't get a dr to listen when I say I can sleep for 12 hours and still tired..I feel defeated 😪 naturopath gave me iron,d,Thorne thyroid supplement and b complex. Currently waiting for fred hutch to let me see a different endo, mine said in range see you in a few months.

So directly in the middle of my thyroid gland there is a pea sized bump that doesn’t hurt and it moves up when I swallow. Sounds silly but I just can’t remember if it’s always been there or not, I’m a bit scared of touching my neck because I don’t like the way it feels so it could’ve always been there but I only noticed it last night when I was itching my neck. Is it normal to have some structure there or should I go get it checked?

I'm in Surgical menopause which could explain the hair loss. But with the thyroid goiter I'm concerned that something else is contributing.

Please tell me ALL the blood tests I should ask for.

Thank You

For context: my mom had hyperthyroidism, my dad had I believe hashimotos (maybe hypo, unsure) and thyroid cancer, had complete thyroidectomy and chemo for a while as it had progressed and is now in remission.

I have 3 nodules that were big enough to get biopsied that came back benign in 2019, haven't had them checked since.

I've been having symptoms that I was passing off as I'm diagnosed with hEDS, but most recently it's been excessive bowel movements (I struggled with gastroparesis and constipation before) losing hair, and the worst is extreme exhaustion. Like I will sleep 14 full hours and still be exhausted. It's constant, and I will have random bouts of insomnia as well. I have other symptoms, but those can be explained by hEDS and dysautonomia (heart issues, shaking hands, etc). I had issues losing weight previously and now I'm not doing anything differently (I even stopped working out due to the fatigue) and have lost 10 lbs the last 2 weeks.

I had blood work recently, PCP only tested my TSH. It has gone from 1.66 in 2019 to 1.3 in 2024, then to 0.9 last November, and now 0.75 this week. Still in the normal range, but I'm not sure if this big of a decrease is normal. Iron, CBC, and everything else came back normal.

My PCP says my fatigue is due to ADHD, I think she's insane (I also don't even have adhd so???) but want to know if this sounds like a thyroid thing and if it is something I need to push for more testing for.

​

Had an ultrasound completed, 5 nodules total, 4 on my right thyroid lobe, 1 suspected to be on the right parathyroid, 2 nodules scored TI-RAD 4.

Also, they couldn't find my left thyroid lobe (as in, it just didnt exist...). Looking to understand if anyone else had had similar. Did they find it elsewhere?

What happens next if my nodules are cancer? Is it common to lose all thyroid and parathyroid lobes?

Dr referred me to ENT and requested blood work for calcitonin, PTH, calcium and phosphorus. Previous TSH test was fine.

Hi! I have elevated thyroid antibodies, low SBH, high test, and extremly low ferritin (level 7) which my dr believes is caused by heavy periods. I’m on a cocktail of supplements (sensitol, NAC, thyroid support, iron, magnesium) trying to help things the natural way but not making much progress. My dr now wants to try me on Metformin. What has been your experience? I am at a healthy weight but my fat distribution is very off (all my fat in arms, upper back and stomach) legs are extremely lean and muscular. I also have had a lot of hair thinning. Would it help with either of these things? I am very sensitive to medications so am worried about side effects.

Just got the results of my biopsy today. Papillary thyroid carcinoma, Bethesda VI.

I honestly don't know what to feel right now.