I Have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis
According to the mayoclinic.com, "Hashimoto's disease is a condition in which your immune system attacks your thyroid, a small gland at the base of your neck below your Adam's apple. The thyroid gland is part of your endocrine system, which produces hormones that coordinate many of your body's activities.The resulting inflammation from Hashimoto's disease, also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, often leads to an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism)."
Hashimoto's causes a wide range of symptoms, including those that go along with both hyper-thyroidism and hypo-thyroidism.
Symptoms of Hashimoto's
- A puffy face
- Constipation
- Depression
- Excessive or prolonged menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia)
- Fatigue and sluggishness
- Hoarse voice
- Increased sensitivity to cold
- Infertility
- Muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness, especially in your shoulders and hips
- Muscle weakness, especially in your lower extremities
- Pain and stiffness in your joints and swelling in your knees or the small joints in your hands and feet
- Pale, dry skin
- Unexplained weight gain — occurring infrequently and rarely exceeding 10 to 20 pounds, most of which is fluid
- Weight loss with low blood sugar and low blood pressure
My Diagnosis
I learned six years ago that I had a thyroid nodule on the left side of my thyroid. It's large. 3.5 cm and getting bigger with each passing year. I was referred to an endocrinologist after having the "thyroid workup", complete with scans and uptakes, I was diagnosed with a benign nodule with normal thyroid levels. Once I met with the endocrinologist, I was told I needed a fine needle aspiration biopsy to ensure the solid mass of a nodule was in fact, non-cancerous. Thankfully, the biopsy proved I didn't have cancer and also, supposedly proved that the nodule has a less than 5% chance of ever turning cancerous. However, a year and a half ago, the endocrinologist suggested I have the nodule biopsied again. He couldn't give a real explanation as to why it needed to be check again, other than stating it was precautionary. He also wouldn't talk about all the various symptoms I was having; hair loss, extreme fatigue, constipation, brain fog, trouble with concentration.
I decided to try a different endocrinologist for two reasons. One, my insurance considered the biopsy an out of pocket deductible expense because it's considered a hospital procedure (even when done in a doctor's office) and costs $1000. Two, I was beginning to think there was something more to this nodule than just a growth that should be monitored once a year. Especially with all the different symptoms I was experiencing.
I found a new endocrinologist. I told him my symptoms and that I was concerned about the nodule needing to be biopsied and whether or not it should just have it removed. (I'd been thinking that might be the best solution, as opposed to paying $1000 every 3 or so years.) He did an ultrasound and decided that the nodule was OK and didn't need to be checked again. He did, however, want to run another thyroid panel, even though it had been done 3 months prior, just to be sure. He also asked if he could check my antibodies. I didn't understand what he meant and he didn't explain, other than he was sure that, at my young age and the fact I looked so healthy, the antibodies wouldn't be an issue. He told me he'd call me when the results were in IF there was something to be concerned about. If not, I'd get a letter in the mail with the findings. He also referred me to a surgeon because he stated that the nodule was doing me no harm, but also no good, and that I should have it removed.
Weeks later I got a letter in the mail stating my thyroid levels were normal and that an appointment had been made with the surgeon.
Next blog post, I'll talk about the appointment that changed my life forever. The appointment with the surgeon that gave me more advice and knowledge than any other doctor or endocrinologist ever did.
Thanks for reading! See you soon!
Sarah!
