Just had completion thyroidectomy...

[loopyboo]

hi there and merry xmas to you! I just had the left side of my thyroid removed on Tuesday after having the other side removed last month. I have been put on levo thyroxine and calci chews. Actually at the moment I'm not feeling too bad. I'm a bit achy, had terrible sickness from anaesthetic and morphine etc and now just a home adjusting to meds, healing, trying to relax and with a cold!! Apart from all that I'm ok!! What I'm curious about for Rhodes of you who could help me is, firstly why is it necessary for me to take the calcium tablets especially if parathyroid were not removed and is there a healthier option that I can take as the ones I have been prescribed have aspartame in which I really don't want? Also, the tablets say that I can't take them for around four hours before or after taking levothyroxine(which I have been taking in the morning)so when is it best advised to be takng them. Should I take the levo at night or in the morning? Thanks in advance. Xxx

[shaws Administrator]

I am glad you're feeling not too bad at present after your op.

A member who has had a thyroidectomy will respond to your question as I am hypothyroid.

You have the option of taking levothyroxine when you awake, taking breakfast about 1 hour later. You can then take your calcium tablets around lunchtime.

Some do prefer to take levothyroxine at bedtime and you should have last eaten 2 hours or more before you take levo as an empty stomach enables the uptake of levo. Food can interfere.

When you next get a blood test - if you take levo in the morning, you miss this dose and take after test. The test should be as early as possible. If taking levo at bedtime, you miss this dose and take after test. You can also take your bedtime dose as normal.

[Clutter]

Hi Loopy, it's not uncommon for parathyroids to be bruised during surgery and calcium can drop, although it is often temporary. Discuss with your pharmacist whether there is a suitable alternative to Calcichew.

It's entirely up to you what time of day you take Levothyroxine but try to be consistent with timing.

Keep resting and drink plenty of fluids to flush the anaesthetic from your system. I hope you feel better soon.

[loopyboo in reply to Clutter]

Thanks clutter

[Hennerton]

I was also given calcichews after my thyroidectomy but only to be taken as and when I felt I needed them. My Parathyroids were slightly upset and I would start to get a tingling sensation around the nose and mouth. As soon as I felt this I took a calcichew and the tingling disappeared. This only lasted a few days. Perhaps you could try not taking the first one of the day and see what happens. In any event, you will probably not need them for long, so although I also do not like to take aspartame, I decided it was not worth worrying about it for such a short time.

[loopyboo]

Yes, quite true...

[Flowerpower_nafas]

I had total thyroidectomy last Feb and my parathyroid glands still are not working at optimum levels. You may need calcium for life. You need results of PTH levels and also vitamin D3x I take Calcitriol 1tablet a day. No aspartame!! Or you can get a combined calcium & vit D3 without it too. Your Pharmacy will tell you. You need PTH monitored for at Least a year as PTH levels go up n down.

I take Levo in morning early and calcium & vit D3 at lunch. They must be taken together & with food for optimum results.

I now have Hypoparathyroidism as only 1 parathyroid gland is working.

You may need vit B 12 too.

Get PTH D3 & B12checked & post your results on here.

Good luck

[Pepekins]

Mine was done 13 years ago and I am great. However have had ups and downs and calcium is important as I had to have a hip replacement 3 years ago through loss of bone in hips. I actually don't take calcium supplements per se as you have to be so careful which ones are taken, so that it is used by your bones and not deposited in arteries! I do take a liquid from a respected source which encourages new bone to be put down and also a supplement from Switzerland to encourage bone health. I try to eat plenty of kelp etc which has lots of calcium and sesame seeds also. Oddly enough milk is not the best source as it is acidic. I would take a calcium supplement with D3 and K2 if I could find one I trust! Anyway 4 hours between thyroxine and calcium tabs is recommended. I take thryroxine first thing. This site is brilliant and I wish I had known about it 13 years ago. Consider yourself lucky you have found it so soon in your thyroid journey. Very best wishes.

[Churchie]

Hi loopy

Glad you are at home and getting better. Just try to make sure you can lots of pampered rest.