Hi all, I'm completely new to all things thyroid related so excuse me for any mistakes I make or for asking too many questions. Actually I don't have any questions just yet but I just wanted to say hello and tell you a little about myself and my thyroid story!
Two weeks ago I had a retro-sternal goitre removed, it was huge went from the left side of my throat to behind the middle of my right lung! I'd no symptoms whatsoever except a bulge in my neck which I thought was just fat and a difficulty breathing when lying down. The goitre was wrapping around my windpipe and slowly strangling me! Because of the extremely narrow windpipe I had to be intubated up my nose IN MY SENSES - worst pain ever! I only found out a year ago after I had a chest X-ray for medication for my other disease, Crohns Disease. So after a week in hospital after a few complications I'm home resting. I take 1 x 100mg eltroxine, calcichew D3 Forte x 6 and 2 x alpha (can't remember its name!) along with loads of painkillers! I've to go back to hospital next week for bloods, removal of stitches and check-up.
So that's my story so far. Look forward to sharing with you all!
Written by
Linbin76
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That sounds horrific, I hope you'll make a good recovery soon. In the meantime, rest as much as you can to aid your recovery.
When you get your thyroid results post them with the ranges (figures in brackets after results) and post them in a new question if you want members to interpret and advise.
Take your Levothyroxine with water on an empty stomach 1 hour before, or 2 hours after food and drink, 2 hours away from other medication and supplements, and 4 hours away from calcium, iron, vitamin D, and oestrogen. Take Levothyroxine after thyroid blood tests.
I am not a medical professional and this information is not intended to be a substitute for medical guidance from your own doctor. Please check with your personal physician before applying any of these suggestions.
I wasn't told when or how to take any of my meds and just took all of them at the same time as that's how they were administered in hospital and about 30 mins after breakfast! As it is I'm taking 9 tablets in the morning, 4 in the afternoon and 5 before bed! And I wasn't told not to take the eltroxine before the bloods. My calcium levels were very low before leaving hospital too and they're still low as I keep getting tingling in my fingers, toes and lips!
Linbin7, parathyroids glands can be bruised during thyroidectomy and calcium drops. Mine self resolved in a week without calcium but if yours remain low you will need calcium until it resolves. If it's longer than six months damage may be permanent and you'll need lifelong calcium and vitamin D for hypoparathyroidism.
Hospital are famous for bunging all drugs to be taken together. You'll do better with Levothyroxine if you take the advise above. You can take it any time of day or night to work around the other meds.
Thanks for giving us your story and it did sound a very painful procedure. I am glad you're on your way to recovery.
For future if you can copy and paste the above into your profile, it means that members can refer to it if they wish without you having to repeat.
I hope your recovery is swift and you are back on your feet soon.
When you go for your blood tests (you may not be able to do this depending on your hospital appointment) get the earliest possible appointment and fast (you can drink water). Also leave about 24 hours between your last dose of levo and the test. This allows the TSH to be higher as doctors are apt to adjust levo according to the test. It doesn't make patients better and sometimes they develop more symptoms.
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