Having a family history of strokes, I signed up for a Lifeline Screening which included a carotid artery ultrasound to check for impaired blood flow; this screening detected a cyst on my left thyroid, and I was advised to consult my primary care physician. After other tests and scans including a needle biopsy, he ultimately diagnosed me with Hashimoto's. Had it not been for this ultrasound, I'd never have known I had Hashimoto's---all my TSH level tests on routine blood tests have always been normal---and while I have symptoms (frequently cold when others aren't, weight gain with inability to lose despite exercise or diet changes, et al), I would've ascribed it to normal aging.

I gave birth almost five months ago. When I went back to my OB/GYN for my 3 to 4 month check-up, I mentioned to him that I was tired, but chalking it up to having three children, with one being an infant. He decided to run tests just to be on the safe side. He ran Lymes, Thyroid, and Mono test. A few days later I received a call from his nurse saying that he wanted me to see my primary due to abnormal results, one being the Thyroid test. I saw my primary and I had him stumped. He said if he had to guess by the looks of my labs I may have Hashimoto's. He ran 20+ blood tests on me. He ran every thyroid test possible. He called me up a few days later and said he was right. All my blood tests lead to Hashimoto's and he wants me to follow up with an endocrinologists.

Today I was diagnosed with Hashimoto thyroiditis today after five months of feeling of "congestion" in my throat. My GP did a thyroid test and said it was OK. My anxiety soared, resulting in chest pains. I had an EKG and cardiac stress test – my heart tested OK. Gastrointestinal work (endoscopy, barium swallow, and esophageal manometry) followed to rule out GERD and esophageal spasming. It all came back normal. I sought out an ENT on my own just to have my throat checked by another doctor. An ultrasound of my thyroid was ordered and a .7-cm nodule was discovered. I was frustrated when the ENT said to just have the nodule checked again in two years and said that I had "globus hystericus." In other words, since I am middle-aged and female, it was all in my head. Determined to get a diagnosis, I sought out an endocrinologist who took a full history, did an exam of my neck and blood work, and just called me today with the diagnosis of Hashimoto's. I will follow up in three months to see what treatment will be needed. There is nothing like finding a thorough doctor.

I was just diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis after probably 10 years of symptoms. My GP had even had me on Synthroid at one point but I was taken off of it as my levels were moving too low toward hyperthyroid. I had been feeling worse and worse such as tired, foggy brain, lots of joint pain and was really getting down in the dumps about all of it. It was only when I had to have an MRI for an issue with my neck that the radiologist noticed what he thought were nodules on my thyroid. Finally, after being referred to an endocrinologist I have been diagnosed with Hashimoto's and I am waiting for blood work to return to start treatment. I couldn't be more happy with finally having an answer for how I am feeling!

During and after radiation for breast cancer, I experienced weight gain, fatigue, depression, memory issues and a raspy throat. At first I attributed these symptoms to the radiation. When the symptoms did not resolve, I went to my PCP for help with the weight gain. When I mentioned that my throat was raspy, my PCP ordered blood tests, suspecting a thyroid issue. I began to research thyroid disease and was absolutely convinced that I had hypothyroidism. When my blood levels came back within normal range, I was shocked and asked for additional tests. I went to four doctors before my Hashimoto's was diagnosed. Also, I had nodes that appeared to be malignant. My Hashimoto's was diagnosed only as a result of my persistence and determination to get relief from the symptoms of hypothyroidism. I underwent a total thyroidectomy a week ago and began taking Levothyroxine. I hope this brings relief to the symptoms.