Some questions...

[loopyboo]

Hi there,

I'm scheduled to have a partial thyroidectomy in the future( going to see endo today for apt to find out more). The consultant has said that because I'm only having half of my thyroid removed that hopefully I won't have to have medication. Has anyone else any experience here and in your opinion is this normal. If I have to have medication then so beit but I'm thinking in advance about other alternative remedies/ diet/ nutrition etc. I'm very into alternative medicine and wondered what others experience is of this and if anyone can point me on the right direction??

Also, my blood results spear to be normal which I find weird since I have nodules. Is it normal that with nodules there is high/ low thyroid blood results??

Anyone?

Cheers

[Clutter]

Loopyboo, Many people do well on one thyroid lobe as many do well with one kidney. Getting nutrition and vitamins/minerals in order will give you a head start. Be sure to have your vitD checked NOW as research has shown that 40% of thyroidectomised patients in the USA are vitD deficient and correcting deficiencies prior to surgery gives better outcomes. Good levels of vitD are needed for T4 to T3 conversion. Selenium is thyroid friendly so 100mcg or 3 Brazil nuts daily will support your remaining thyroid lobe. Nitrous oxide in general anaesthetic oxidises B12 so you may want to check your levels post surgery and supplement injections, if necessary, to restore levels or supplement methylcobalamin sublingual lozenges, spray or patches.

Non-hormone secreting nodules don't affect circulating thyroid hormone levels but 'normal' is a very broad range and having TSH at the top of the range and FT4 at the bottom isn't optimal. If you want to post your recent results with the lab ref ranges (the figures in brackets after your results) members will comment/advise.

I had a partial thyroidectomy to remove a large nodule and the remaining lobe produced the necessary hormone, allegedly. I felt ill before the PT with mid-range TSH and spiralling Hashimoto's and felt as ill afterwards but I could breath and swallow easier without the nodule compressing my windpipe. I don't have thyroid function tests to see whether TSH and FT4 changed after the partial.

Histopathology showed the tumour was cancerous so I had follow up completion thyroidectomy 3 months later and felt considerably better on suppressive doses of T3 until RAI 2 months later.

Let us know how your consultation went.

[Partiallythere]

Hi loopyboo, yep I had a partial thyroidectomy almost two years ago. Mine was due to one large suspect nodule, came back clear though. But my TSH rocketed to 11 within a couple of months and I was told my remaining half thyroid was not up to the job and I'd need levothyroxine for life. Have slowly increased it to 100mcg, felt no better, discovered my D3 was on the floor, my B12 very low and calcium non existent. Added all these in, felt not markedly better, so started self-medicating on T3 as well, about 3 months ago, and finally feel normal You might be one of the lucky ones, and not need supplementary medication after your surgery, but don't ignore how you're feeling post-op. Yes the anesthetic makes you feel groggy for a couple of weeks, but any time after that, if you still feel rubbish, get tested. Good luck with your op x

[Amathyst]

Hi Loopyboo,

I had right side of thyroid removed December 2013. Scan found nodules on thyroid last year so had a Fine Needle biopsy done in June 2013 results came back Thy2 so all was ok, then routine repeat biopsy done again 3 months later with results Thy3 so after lengthy discussion with my consultant decided to remove half thyroid (my blood results were always’ normal’) – Following my operation results came back showing I had a Micro Carcinoma which was taken away with the thyroid, I am glad I made the decision to remove the thyroid as I now don’t give it a second thought. My left side thyroid is working sufficiently so I do not need any medication. 6 weeks after my operation my blood results did come back borderline ‘underactive’ but this corrected itself. I had excellent support and discussions with my consultant Mr Minhas at Walsall Manor Hospital which led me to make the right choices. Good luck for your future op

[Firinne]

I had a hemithyroidectomy and was told the remaining half of my thyroid would be sufficient (prior to the op my TSH was always a steady 1.4) but I did have to go on levothyroxine a couple of months after the op. This was 19 months ago and my TSH is now borderline (4.1 with top of range 4.2) so maybe next time I may have to increase - at present I take 50mcg Levothroid a day. I do feel pretty good, I am 68 years old and don't think my general health has altered really, except that I get more anxious about little health matters but I think that is still a 'left over' from feeling shocked that a fine needle aspiration showed my goitre was a suspected cancer, the subsequent op. etc. etc. It wasn't cancer, fortunately but I do find these days I hone in on little things that in the past I wouldn't have given a thought to.