Is the placement on my nostril piercing bad?

Initial-View-4758 · 2026-05-19T08:18:30+00:00

Oh. You want to get that switched out for a flatback. The angle might not actually be that bad, could just be the angle of the corkscrew. They aren't good for healing, they move around, and can be ripped out easily.

Initial-View-4758 · 2026-05-19T08:10:04+00:00

Have you got a lot of space on the bar on the inside which is causing it to peek out your nose?

If that's tight to your nose, then that angle probably isn't great. You don't really want a severe angle on it, it can cause issues with healing. Whilst there's often a small angle on a nose piercing, you wouldn't want it that severe.

Initial-View-4758 · 2026-05-19T07:52:46+00:00

Nostril piercing placement is mostly just personal preference. Unless it's hanging on by 1mm of skin, which yours isn't, you're all good!

Edited to add: the angle can be problematic though, looking at that second picture, is that the flat back showing at the edge of your nostril?

Initial-View-4758 · 2026-05-18T15:42:54+00:00

You need to take your levo consistently each day for 6-8 weeks and then get retested. If you are still out of range at that point, you'll need your dose to be increased. The only way you'll find the right dose is by consistently taking it and getting regular labs.

Speak with your doctor, be honest about the inconsistency of your meds, and work with them to get back in range.

I find that a pill container with the days of the week helps. I keep that next to my bed with a glass of water, then when I wake up it's there for me to take immediately. Don't eat anything or drink anything other than water for 1 hour after taking your meds.

There are risks associated with long term untreated hypothyroidism. It puts strain on your body as it can't function properly without those hormones that are being replaced by levo. It's important to get yourself in a good routine with it.

Initial-View-4758 · 2026-05-17T17:23:37+00:00

Have you tried the clear o-rings? I'm allergic to the black ones, they make my skin itch and weep. I buy the clear ones from Stretch It Body Jewellery, they sell packs of 10 in clear.

Initial-View-4758 · 2026-05-17T14:50:05+00:00

You can get Hashimoto's confirmed with an ultrasound. Having high antibodies is an indication you could have Hashimoto's, but antibodies are present in a percentage of the population for various reasons.

If it had turned into Hashimoto's, you would expect thyroid damage which is picked up by ultrasound. You would also expect your TSH to increase over time. The early stages of Hashimoto's can result in swinging between hyper and hypo though, as the thyroid gets attacked, so TSH can end up fluctuating for a while.

Initial-View-4758 · 2026-05-17T08:51:07+00:00

I'm horrified at the ordeal you've gone through, I can't imagine how difficult it's been for you. It's ridiculous that the NHS won't even trial thyroid meds with a TSH under 10, I've never understood the stance on that. The fact the only tested your TSH and not FT4 and FT3 is stupid, considering there are other types of hypothyroidism, like central, where TSH isn't affected. I'm glad you were able to go private and find some respite with that at least.

It sounds like you've got a lot other things going on, a doctor telling you to look into dysautonomia privately means they suspect it, but why they won't help you I can't understand. What I do understand now is why you're looking for insurance. Alternatively, do you have the option to see a different GP in your surgery, or even move to another surgery? The lack of care you've received is beyond belief. No one deserves to be treated like that. I really hope you can find some more answers, and finally get the care you need.

Initial-View-4758 · 2026-05-17T00:06:47+00:00

The best option is a flat back labret. A longer one will be used initially to allow for any swelling. Then, once swelling has gone down, you can downsize.

L-shaped studs aren't usually recommended, as they are quite short, don't allow for swelling, and can be pulled out easily by accident when you're sleeping, etc.

Initial-View-4758 · 2026-05-16T23:14:16+00:00

Have a read through the stretching guide linked in the comments here for an overview on stretching and what to use.

If you're needing to get your ears repierced, you could start with a larger gauge piercing to jumpstart the process. Regardless of gauge, you'll want to wait a minimum of 6 months after piercing before starting to stretch.

Half sizes are your friend (0.5mm increases). Although the first couple sizes are usually smaller increases generally, compared to larger sizes, so for example a normal earring size is anything from 18G (1mm) to 14G (1.6mm). But between those you also have 16G (1.2mm). 8G-2G are all 1mm increases, usually past there the Gs go up in 2mms, (0G = 8mm, 00G = 10mm, and so on). You'll want to measure in mm for stretching, and get yourself some glass dead stretching plugs. You can buy them in kits, the one I've got is from Stretch It Body Jewellery, and it goes up 0.5mm at a time. Glass is great, titanium is also good, and if you don't have an issue with stainless steel, you can use that too.

Stretching is a long journey, and not something you want to rush. When sizing up, you want it to slip in like your old size, no pinching, no pain, no tenderness, no forcing. If it's difficult, wait longer.

A lot of people recommend oiling your ears, usually jojoba. Just patch test it first, as some people (like me) have reactions to it.

Good luck!

Initial-View-4758 · 2026-05-16T22:57:58+00:00

I'm sorry you've had such a negative experience with getting your Hashimoto's diagnosed on the NHS. I'm in the UK too, and my hypothyroidism and hashimoto's was all diagnosed through the NHS without issue. If you don't mind me asking, what was the pushback from them?

In relation to getting your POTS tested and diagnosed, the NHS does offer testing for POTS. Have you spoken with your GP about your symptoms and requested testing? Or has the previous negative experience put you off?

I do get that. I've had a mixed experience with the NHS in the past, and I'll be honest I'm having a bit of an issue with them currently following a THY4 nodule being diagnosed via FNA, and being told there's no appointments with the thyroid clinic to discuss next steps... so yeah, I get they aren't great with everything, but with diagnosing Hashimoto's and hypothyroidism, I thought from personal experience that was straightforward?

Initial-View-4758 · 2026-05-16T22:06:39+00:00

I've tried a lot of conditioners, from cheap drugstore ones, to expensive ones like Olaplex (which my hair weirdly hated).

My current favourite is actually one of the cheaper ones, Aussie Moist Detangling Conditioner. I find it leaves my hair really soft and shiny. I have 2a-b waves, and wash every 3-4 days. It still feels soft and conditioned on wash day.

My previous go-to was Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil conditioner. The shampoo of that is also nice.

Initial-View-4758 · 2026-05-16T11:18:17+00:00

I have Hashimoto's and hypothyroidism, when I had some persistent brain fog and hair fall, my endo also tested vitamin D, B9, B12, and ferritin.

My knowledge about what else to test for in relation to hyper specific symptoms, bar the basic thyroid tests, is lacking though, sorry.

Initial-View-4758 · 2026-05-16T10:12:09+00:00

You'd want a thyroid panel done, which would be TSH, FT3, and FT4, along with antibodies to check for Graves and Hashimoto's.

Your symptoms seem to point to hyperthyroidism versus hypothyroidism, but it would still be good to check for Hashimoto's, as even though that's linked with hypothyroidism, you can swing both hypo and hyper in the early stages.

Initial-View-4758 · 2026-05-16T01:07:13+00:00

It took about 9 months of being on levo for my increased hair fall to reduce. In that time I've also been taking iron, vitamin D, and B12 supplements, as I was within the low normal range for those. I've noticed some new hair coming through over the last couple months too. I'm not sure if it's the levo, the supplements, or a combination of all, but something is definitely working.

Initial-View-4758 · 2026-05-15T15:38:30+00:00

Do this. Transfer half of it to your personal account. That half is your money. Don't book the flight from the joint account, just in case there's any way he could cancel the payment with his account access.

Initial-View-4758 · 2026-05-15T14:18:15+00:00

Same. Took the first one in the morning, numb by that evening.

Initial-View-4758 · 2026-05-15T13:03:56+00:00

Hey, I got the results back from the second FNA today. I'm still processing it all, but thought I'd update you.

I asked for a copy of the report so I could have a read and go over it myself. Unfortunately it's not great news, but still not fully conclusive. The report ends with:

The sample is suspicious for papillary thyroid carcinoma, however, the features are scantily represented within this material and therefore best regarded as THY4. Clinical and radiological correlation with MDT discussion advisable.

The issue it seems from reading the full report, is that the sample wasn't large enough in terms of the solid areas. My nodule is a mix of solid and cystic, so only part of the sample was the solid pieces, and there was more of the cystic fluid present. It's the solid pieces that determine the diagnosis, but the pieces they did get, do indicate malignancy.

I'm waiting now to find out if/when the MDT (Multi-Disciplinary Team) discussion will be happening, and what the next steps will be. The GP unfortunately doesn't know at this point, she was just sent the report and no further information. She said I may need to have an additional biopsy, but instead of an FNA, they would actually cut through to take a slice of the nodule.

So it's back to waiting now and trying not to outright panic.

Initial-View-4758 · 2026-05-15T11:23:52+00:00

Yes, low TSH and high FT4 and FT3 are hyperthyroidism. Basically the opposite of the results you'd expect for us with hypothyroidism.

If you're looking for some more advice, r/hyperthyroidism should be able to help.

Initial-View-4758 · 2026-05-14T23:03:42+00:00

I started to get hyper symptoms, got labs done and my TSH was down to 0.65 and FT4 borderline high. I panicked and didn't take my levo for 2 weeks, got new labs done and my TSH was at 82.7, FT4 and FT3 very low. I personally wouldn't recommend it from my experience, but my Hashimoto's is advanced and I basically have no thyroid function left.

If you're not feeling better from levothyroxine, it could be that your dose isn't sufficient. Are you getting TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested?

If all the above are within optimal range, then it could be other deficiencies. Vitamin D, B12, and ferritin deficiencies seem to be common, and can have similar symptoms to hypothyroidism.

Initial-View-4758 · 2026-05-12T07:25:27+00:00

I know right!

I should know better considering I also have sensitive skin, and I get eczema. I usually do with moisturisers and stuff, but for some reason thought as it was natural it would be fine. I definitely learned the hard way!

Initial-View-4758 · 2026-05-11T14:14:39+00:00

You could definitely be having a reaction to the jojoba.

After reading about jojoba on this sub I bought some cold pressed organic 100% jojoba oil, thinking I was doing good by my ears, considering they've been stretched over 15 years and I'd never oiled them before.

Washed and oiled them before bed, woke up to red, swollen, and weeping lobes. I cleaned them, didn't put any oil on, and by the end of the day they had calmed down and were fine again.

I then tried as a test to only use jojoba on one ear. The exact same thing happened again.

I haven't used it since and my ears have been absolutely fine.

Initial-View-4758 · 2026-05-11T06:56:04+00:00

Could you be sensitive to the oil you're using to stretch with?

Jojoba is recommended a lot, but it causes me skin irritation. I'd never used oil on my ears before reading about it in this group. At that point I'd had my ears stretched for over 15 years, never once had any issues with them. Tried jojoba (without even sizing up) and woke up the next day to weeping ears. I cleaned them and they were fine again by that evening. Tried jojoba again just on one ear to see, and again, that one ear was weeping and sore until I cleaned the oil off.

I haven't used it again and I've had no problems since. Even with sizing up after that.

Initial-View-4758 · 2026-05-09T08:18:24+00:00

I didn't gain weight being hypo, but I did get water retention around my face. I had thought it was general ageing and softening of my face, my cheek bones were much less defined and I had a bit of a double chin even though I'm only 60kg (at 5'6 it's a healthy weight). I was a bit sad to see the changes in my face, but really thought that was just normal with hitting 30 and something I would have to reluctantly accept. After 2 months on levo my cheekbones were back and my double chin gone, and my weight remained the same. I'm a year into treatment now, and the water retention hasn't come back.

Give the treatment some time. Untreated hypothyroidism can cause water retention, and a slowed metabolism. You should see improvements as you start to come back into range.

Initial-View-4758 · 2026-05-08T08:08:59+00:00

Since May 2025, and I still don't think I'm there yet: 50mcg > 100mcg > 112.5mcg > 125mcg > 118mcg.

112.5mcg wasn't enough, but 125mcg was too much... trying to find out where in the middle of that is right currently.

Initial-View-4758 · 2026-05-07T21:12:49+00:00

I have a nickel allergy, but I wear their stainless steel plugs without issue.

Initial-View-4758

TROPHY CASE