Removal of Thyroid

[happy2bretired]

Well, I'm going to have my entire thyroid removed next month. I have a goiter on one side and several small nodules on the other side. I had a needle biopsy a couple of years ago, on one nodule, and that one was ok. Anyone have any pointers on what to expect?

From what I've read, getting the thyroid med regulated after the surgery can be a little tricky. I can just see myself gaining 20 pounds just before my daughter's wedding and being so tired not being able to enjoy myself.

 

[Meadbh]

From what I've read, getting the thyroid med regulated after the surgery can be a little tricky. I can just see myself gaining 20 pounds just before my daughter's wedding and being so tired not being able to enjoy myself.

Rich_in_Tampa would be the best person to address your concerns. I'm just a pediatrician, but any kid I was involved with who needed thyroid replacement was a breeze.

Best of luck with your surgery!

 

[haha]

Well, I'm going to have my entire thyroid removed next month. I have a goiter on one side and several small nodules on the other side. I had a needle biopsy a couple of years ago, on one nodule, and that one was ok.

Glad to hear this news!

Ha

 

[braumeister]

I've heard that if thou hast difficulty with thy roid, thou shouldst begin with Preparation H.



Seriously, best of luck with that.

 

[obgyn65]

Like Meadbh, I am also a clinician but I agree Rich_in_Tampa is the best person to answer your question.

Take care

Rich_in_Tampa would be the best person to address your concerns.

 

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

No sweat, most of the time. It's not a slam dunk, though. Usually there is a estimated starting dose of levothyroxine, then a blood test 6 weeks later (TSH test), a dose adjustment, and then repeat. For some patients there are symptoms even when the test appears normal, and vice versa (no symptoms even when the tests are way abnormal). But with good clinical judgment it all works out.

Tip to discuss with your doctor: levothyroxine is very cheap as a generic despite what the makers of Synthroid might say. Just make sure you get the same generic each time -- if you change brands a follow up TSH is a good idea.

Good luck with the surgery.

 

[teejayevans]

If you are having it totally remove, regulation is easy, which I recommend, so you don't have to go through this again. In my case, tests afterwards showed I had cancer. I had to have radioactive iodine treatments to kill any leftover thyroid cells. I stop taking pains the day after, having a drain attach for 3 days wasn't much fun, but other than that, it's not that bad.
TJ

 

[Birdie Num Nums]

Make sure that ASAP (now) you "donate" to yourself a pint of blood, in case you need a transfusion during surgery--so that you get your own blood, not someone else's. Ask your physician about doing this. I have someone close that had his/her entire thyroid removed about ten years ago, or so they thought. Turns out that some residual thyroid tissue must have remained somewhere, because after the surgery, and after a series of periodic blood tests, the patient never needed ANY replacement hormone at all (the residue was producing sufficient hormones) and has been "cured" ever since. No medication and no follow-ups for over eight years now. I hope the same will be true for you. (Some weight gain did happen, however. But that was to be expected after years and years and years of hyperthyroidism and its effects.)

 

[teejayevans]

No blood transfusions are required.
TJ

 

[Birdie Num Nums]

No blood transfusions are required.
TJ

Unless you lose too much blood during surgery. It can happen. There are some intricate veins in and around the thyroid, and a goiter only adds to the complications.

 

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

If you are having it totally remove, regulation is easy, which I recommend, so you don't have to go through this again.
TJ

Not always, TJ. Usually.

Also, how much to remove is not a patient preference usually -- they remove as much as necessary, no more and no less. The parathyroid glands lie nestled in the thyroid and need to be spared. The nerve supplying the vocal chords need to be isolated and spared, so the less you remove the better. In experienced hands this is a very safe and successful surgery.

 

[Purron]

Well, I'm going to have my entire thyroid removed next month. I have a goiter on one side and several small nodules on the other side. I had a needle biopsy a couple of years ago, on one nodule, and that one was ok. Anyone have any pointers on what to expect?

From what I've read, getting the thyroid med regulated after the surgery can be a little tricky. I can just see myself gaining 20 pounds just before my daughter's wedding and being so tired not being able to enjoy myself.

Oh geez. Please know I'm pulling for you babe. I've had thyroid problems for years that have been regulated by meds. But surgery would sure be a different level of worry. Please chill though because I know the success rates are really good.
I did gain some weight, but have been successfull in losing quite a bit recently. Mainly though eating healty and stepping up my activity a bit. No big deal really.

The main thing is to feel good and be healthy. Don't worry about anything other than that right now. Keep the faith baby and keep us posted.

 

[happy2bretired]

Thanks everyone for your advise. I'm a little concerned about my little parathyroids since those little buggers control calcium and I'm already at the osteopenia stage. I think I have a good surgeon, he removed my gall bladder a few years ago with no complications.

The timing is really weird...January and early Feb. I will be on my cruise. Come home, have my surgery in Feb then the wedding in March. With everything going on, I won't have time to feel sorry for myself.

You all have made me feel much better, especially about the ease of adjusting the meds.

 

[teejayevans]

Thanks everyone for your advise. I'm a little concerned about my little parathyroids since those little buggers control calcium and I'm already at the osteopenia stage. I think I have a good surgeon, he removed my gall bladder a few years ago with no complications.

Same surgeon
My thyroid was done by ENT specialist, and my gall bladder was done by another who specialized in lower abdominal surgeries.
I ask my ENT if blood was required, he said flatly "not unless I make a mistake".
TJ

 

[haha]

Thanks everyone for your advise. I'm a little concerned about my little parathyroids since those little buggers control calcium and I'm already at the osteopenia stage. I think I have a good surgeon, he removed my gall bladder a few years ago with no complications.

The timing is really weird...January and early Feb. I will be on my cruise. Come home, have my surgery in Feb then the wedding in March. With everything going on, I won't have time to feel sorry for myself.

You all have made me feel much better, especially about the ease of adjusting the meds.

Ideal is a guy who does thyroid surgery all day long, and these do exist in most big cities.

Ha

 

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

Same surgeon
My thyroid was done by ENT specialist, and my gall bladder was done by another who specialized in lower abdominal surgeries.
I ask my ENT if blood was required, he said flatly "not unless I make a mistake".
TJ

In the community, many general surgeons do thyroids, along with ENTs and endocrine surgeons (mostly in referral centers). This is not unusual at all, and with experience the outcomes should be comparable.

I have never seen routine thyroid surgery require transfusions.

 

[happy2bretired]

I'm in a fairly small city and my surgeon is Chinese...I trust him. Thanks Rich for the confidence booster. At this point I'm not too concerned with the actual surgery...more concerned with the meds for the rest of my life and how tired I will be for the wedding. I think things will be fine.

I was a little concerned about my parathyroids and my surgeon said that he hasn't injured one yet... Just gotta have some faith.

 

[Achiever51]

I had a total thyroidectomy in 2006 after being hypothyroid for more than 30 years, and under control for about 29-1/2 years. In my case, I developed a goiter and two large nodules, one of which was pushing on my vocal chords, making my voice increasingly hoarse. I did not have cancer, but the surgeon was concerned about damaging the parathyroid glands given the size and location of the growths.

I went to the most experienced ENT surgeon around and my surgery went fine. Today I can barely make out my scar as it is very fine at the base of my neck.

Since my surgery, I have been very careful about monitoring my Synthroid dosage, as it has been adjusted several times.

 

[sheehs1]

Good luck to you Happytoberetired. Thyroid problems run in my family. My twin sister had severe Graves/hyperthryoid and had her thryoid "killed" instead of surgery. She had a difficult time of it as I believe she went into thyroid storm...with her thyroid releasing all the hormone rather quickly...and faster than the doctor thought would happen. With medication and eating right she did not gain any significant weight). She has times when she doesn't feel optimal but don't we all. I'm subclinical hyper and hypo.. Meaning I have Graves antibodies that have leveled off and some hypo antibodies but both are below clinical threshold. Am not on medication but am on a 6 month watch and have been for over 3 years.
Sandra

 

[happy2bretired]

Thank you both for sharing. Keeping my fingers and toes crossed for next months surgery. The thyroid appears to be quite an independent organ, having a mind of it's own, that can affect people any many ways. Hoping for the best but right now I'm packing for my cruise and not gonna worry about it at all. When I get back from my cruise, I will stock up on easy to prepare food and buy lots of junky magazines...oh and I'm gonna board my dog....no doggy momma for at least a week.

 

[bbbamI]

I just had to give this thread a bump and see if you've had your surgery yet. I'm wishing you all the best....

btw...I've been taking medication for hypothyroidism for several years now. It's checked once a year and on occasion the strength of the med has been increased. I feel just fine.

I hope you check in soon and let us know how you are doing.

 

[happy2bretired]

Hi...I'm back. Surgery was Friday and I came home on Saturday. So far, the most troubling problem was the anesthesia - wasn't able to keep anything down for several hours. I had no pain, except for a headache when I woke up and the Tylenol I took may have contributed to my stomach upset. Surgery went fine and I will have my first follow up with the surgeon next Monday. Don't have the pathology report back yet. My goiter was golf ball size. My surgeon took a picture of it on his cell phone, so I was able to see the poor thing. I have about a 3 inch incision....not bad.

The pre-surgery blood work showed that my thyroid numbers were within range of being normal. At the moment, I'm feeling very well. I made a very nice dinner for my daughter and fiance Sunday...had quite a bit of pep. As my body uses up the stored thyroid hormones, then I probably will begin to feel differently tho. By next Monday, when I go see my surgeon, I have no idea how I will be feeling.

 

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

Glad it went well and that it's over with.

That surgeon better keep an I on his photo gallery -- bring out the family pics next Christmas and accidentally show your goiter...

 

[bbbamI]

Ahhhh...glad to hear from you happy2bretired.

Please keep us updated on how you're feeling.

That surgeon better keep an I on his photo gallery -- bring out the family pics next Christmas and accidentally show your goiter...

.........

 

[WhoDaresWins]

Glad you are on the mend, H2BR! So many ladies I know are on thyroid medication or have had thyroidectomies or are being monitored for nodules. My gynecologist orders blood work to check my thyroid every other year or so...he also palpates the thyroid at my annual well woman visit... so far so good. I guess you could have "normal" blood work ranges and still have a problem. Hmmmm.