Having a Total Thyroidectomy in 2 weeks, going to pre assessment on Thursday what blood tests should I ask for (if possible) ?

[cjrsquared]

I have benign multinodular cysts in my thyroid and have delayed thyroidectomy for 2 years. Unfortunately my swallowing and breathing problems have got worse so now need to have the surgery. Any advice gratefully received.

[kezza999]

Hi I'm not sure if you mean tests relating directly to the surgery or your thyroid function? If it's the latter I would suggest asking for a full thyroid panel. That would include; TSH, t4, t3, thyroid peroxidase antibodies and thyroglobulin antibodies.

Hope I helped.

[cjrsquared in reply to kezza999]

thanks for replying, I was thinking of getting my thyroid function checked and since joining and reading this forum some baseline levels of ferritin, vit D etc. I don't have any autoimmune disease of the thyroid so probably won't need antibodies.

[sued007]

had a tt nearly 4wks ago as breathing had become very bad and had a huge goitre. in preperation at my own gp before i went to pre op i had full bloods ,plus TSH t4 t3 ferretin vit d vit b12, this was more for my own benefit to see what a normal thyroid function was for me to have a goal to work towards on edication afterwards. At the hospital pre med they only do full blood count,BP etc i was actually admitted due to stridor on that day but was discharged again the next day and had to return for op 2weeks later. My thyroid was functioning fine pre op and i was put on 150mg levothyroxine whilst in hosp which was tested with bloods at gp on day 8 after op for TSH t4 t3 again and meds upped to 175mg levo as didnt appear to be converting t4 to t3. still having probs and will prob have to up again following blood tests that im having on friday(4 +wks after tt) scar is healing fine but still have little or no voice and feel like im going through menopause again hot sweats ,shakes insomnia etc which is why i suspect im under medicated also my ferritin is only 27(30-333) so gp probs sending me for iron infusion to get higher as ive been on 900mg ferrous sulphate for 1yr now. i also take vit d and b12 but well away from other meds and i take my levothyroxine 2hrs before food and other meds in a morning.

[Clutter]

FBC, TSH, FT4 & FT3 will probably be automatically checked at pre-op. Ask for ferritin, vitD, B12 and folate too. If they're deficient or low in range they'll get worse when you're hypothyroid (have no thyroid/low thyroid function). Calcium was checked post-op as it is often low and mine righted itself a few days later without going back for the scrip I was issued.

Do ask for printouts with lab ref ranges and do this every time your bloods are checked in future.

Keep a 'thyroid diary' noting symptoms and dose change effects, blood tests, BP, pulse, weight etc. It enables you to keep track and report any specific adverse symptoms denoting under or over medication.

I had no problem after initial hemi-lobectomy and subsequent completion thyoidectomy. Plenty of pain relief was available in hospital over night and supplied when I went home. I needed very little of it. An antibiotic eye cream, chloramphenicol, was given to me to apply to the scar after the stitch was removed. The scar is almost invisible.

Cold drinks were soothing on the throat and plenty of fluids are recommended to flush your system of anaesthetic. Soft foods are also recommended for a few days but I was eating toast and weetabix the morning after.

Unlike Sue, my voice was unaffected apart from losing the hoarseness caused by the nodule compressing my windpipe. Breathing was much easier after removal.

I hope all goes well.

[cjrsquared in reply to Clutter]

many thanks will stock up on the cold drinks

[Mumtoboy]

I think I had full blood count and full thyroid profile but I'm sure the hospital will know. Most important is that you get the results and keep a print out, so you know where your "normal" is. That's if you are feeling well (apart from the breathing difficulties). I put my surgery off for 9 years and then eventually had to have it a year ago due to tracheal deviation. All went well and I feel generally well now. Good luck with it all.

[cjrsquared in reply to Mumtoboy]

many thanks