Well after all the kerfuffle over the steroid injection before Christmas, I now have another challenge. MRI test on my spine to check out a recurring hip disorder discovered a 3cm nodule on my thyroid. Evidently these are often discovered accidentally... or even incidentally... when undertaking unrelated scans. Things have moved quickly and I am now due for an operation to remove the nodule and the left lobe of my thyroid in February. As there is a lot of bleeding in this kind of operation, clearly I have to stop taking Riveroxaban for 48 hours beforehand. Guess that not many people will have similar experience, but I thought someone wrote about a thyroid issue recently? Looks like I just have to grit my teeth and bear it.. a mere 3 and a half years after my ablation. Life doesn't let us get too far without throwing another challenge to test our mettle does it? Happy New Year to everyone, and especially those who started off 2020 with a similar 'blip'. !!
Another challenge.... Thryoid and AF - Atrial Fibrillati...
Another challenge.... Thryoid and AF
I am so sorry you now have this to contend with. I have had a full Thyroidectomy (but not for a nodule).
You can receive good advice by just adding yourself to the Thyroid UK site of HealthUnlocked. Everyone is very knowledgeable and just as on this site, the admins are great.
You may be offered Levothyroxine medication after the operation or they may wait to see if your remaining thyroid gives you enough hormone to keep going without additional medication.
Whatever, keep watch on it yourself because thyroid problems are notoriously badly managed here and across the world. Always ask for copies of your thyroid blood tests and see for yourself how you are doing. You can learn everything from the admins and members. Hope it all goes well.
Thanks Hennerton.
I have browsed the Thyroid UK site, but there is little on there for us Afibbers! Got to get my head around thyroid blood test results because they have always come back normal... not that I actually know what a normal reading is! Guess I will have to work that out..... Damn cross about potentially having to take two daily supplements...... but there you go.
and do not forget that Liothyroninethe helps to activate the Levothyronine. Getting it prescribed, on account of cost on the nhs however, can be a challenge.
Technically this is the opposite way round. T4 ( levothyroxine) is converted to T3 ( Liothyronine ) . T3 is the active component of thyroid hormone but very little is actually produced by the thyroid gland itself. The conversion of T4 takes place in the tissues. One essential activator of the conversion is selenium. Because a normal thyroid produces T4 and T3 a total thyroidectomy without some T3 replacement rarely restores function despite the dogma maintained by the medical profession that T4 replacement is all you need.
that is interesting. I will keep that in mind. My gp is very good though, so think, if necessary, I will raise it with him...
Hi Blake..... I have a chad risk factor of 2. One because I am female and two because of my age. Guess your chad factor is less than that.... so you don't need to take anti-coagulants until your are older or develop other risk factors.
My sister had an operation to remove nodules from her thyroid. She doesn't have AF, but is type 1 diabetic. She had to have the operation done at a hospital 40 miles away from where she lives .
She was somewhat alarmed when the pre-op nurse advised her to come off insulin 24 hours before the operation. She queried that with her local diabetic nurse, who contacted the hospital. The result was that she was admitted to the hospital a day before the operation and they monitored her insulin levels.
The operation went well, with the nodules removed.
Sending love to you, had thyroid out completly, but they left the para thyroids to keep a small portion in situ, if they can save them they will, ,which is good apparently, had very large nodes on thyroid and a tiny cancer, which hasn't caused a problem. Just have to take regular tablets daily, and can't forget them as they are supplying your thyroid hormones, which are crucial. I suffer with af, but it hasnt caused a problem. You will need regular blood tests to make sure your levels are ok.
Oh thanks Leeson! Felt that the ablation was a doddle, as it was to improve quality of life....and it improved my af dramatically, if not completely. But this horrible op for a suspicious nodule, which might not even be cancerous, has knocked my confidence.. especially regarding the risk to my voice. Guess I can manage 2 tablets daily....... but still makes me feel like a sick old bird!
Because of growing thyroid nodules, had half my thyroid removed, along with 2 of my 4 parathyroid glands, about 3 months ago. Have not experienced any additional problems with a-fib, which has previously been treated via a CV and 2 ablations. Will be monitored with regular blood tests and, every 6 months, with thyroid ultrasound. I was off my Xarelto for 3 days before the surgery and 1 day after. No problems noted with that, either! With a skilled surgeon, which I had at MD Anderson Cancer Hospital in Houston, Texas, it was all very easy. Prayers that your experience is the same! (All my heart, lung and thyroid problems are the result of long term side effects from massive radiation treatments for Hodgkins Lymphoma in 1976.)
Oh Dondo.... thanks for the reassurance. Guess you have really been through the mill! Yes, the worry is being off anti-coagulation for several days....... and being really stressed about this op. I have always waltzed in confidently to operations before, but as an amateur singer as well as being an afibber, I am kind of dreading this one. I daren't tell the family as they will not understand my concern. Anyway, really appreciate your reply.... and now feel quite humble with much less of a problem than you have been contending with. All best wishes,..
Hello Lizty just wanted to tell you my husband who is 72yrs just had his Thyroid gland removed for the same reason found quite randomly having had CT scan on his chest. He had op on the 2/1/20 and came home on 3/1/20. No issues. I was quite amazed at how quick it all was. He has to take Thyroxine for the rest of his life and calcium with vitamin D . Just thought my story might reassure you. Good Luck.
Florence......how kind of you to comment. Thanks for this. Guess when the news comes 'out of the blue' it is always more worrying.
Glad your husband is okay!
best wishes...... Lizty
BACK IN AF AND NHS HAVE BEEN AMAZING
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