can u have hyperthyroid with an enlarged thyroid

[bri_b]

a few ultrasounds and other tests have shown that i have an enlarged thyroid. i have shown symptoms of, but not been diagnosed with, hypothyroid disordor. now all of a sudden, without trying, ive lost approx. ten or more pounds in about a week, without trying. i have a little more energy than usual at times, but not consistently? does anyone know if this can happen, or if its probably something else?

[Barb135]

When you see your doctor, ask for the free T3, Free T4, TSH, TPOab and TGab.  

[bri_b]

i havent had labs in a while because the last round were in "normal" ranges. but yes, i have a nodule as well as a cyst. i am definatly going to make a dr appointment now for new labs. i live in a smaller town, so i know that the tests are outdated. i have been told by members to ask for free t3 and free t4. i can feel that my thyroid is getting more enlarged because its getting really difficult to swallow certain things. thank u all for your insight and information!

[AJWS6]

I have the same problem, enlarged thyroid, normal labs and no diagnosis, but experience hyper symptoms.    

[Totie]

I had an elarged thyroid, which they said was a toxic goiter, I don't know if that is the same thing or not. I lost weight rapidly as well.

I ended up having grave/hyper/toxic goiter. The only reason I was finally diagnosed (kept telling me I was depressed) was because my neck was enlarged. You could not miss my huge neck...I was down to 88 lbs with a footbal lineman's neck..

[Barb135]

If you have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, it's entirely possible to experience periods of hyperthyroidism, also.  I went through this for many years - weight gain then after a few months, lost all, and then some........ it can be kind of like a "cycle", until I settled into permanently hypo state.......

As ThyroidHunter said - we'd need to see your latest thyroid blood tests, with reference ranges, since these vary from lab to lab, so need to come from your own report.

Have you been tested for Hashimoto's?  If not, you ask for Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPOab) and Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TGab) to check for antibodies.  Did your ultrasound, by any chance, show thyroid nodules?  Nodules can often leak hormones, independently of the thyroid causing you to present hyper symptoms.

[ThyroidHunter]

I understand the tests which would show an enlarged gland, I have one myself. What would really help us is what tests were run to return a diagnosis of hypothyroid, the actual results, and reference ranges of the instrument used to run the tests.

While it's generally thought that hypo's gain weight and hyper's lose weight, it's barely statistically significant as both are metabolic disorders that can swing either way, and many times do.

Best in Health
ThyroidHunter