6 week follow up Hemithyroidectomy, what to do now?

[Adele-84]

Had my 6 weeks follow up after Hemithyroidectomy, scar healing well. I'm still so tired and struggling with concentration. I lack motivation, I've gained weight as I'm too tired for the gym ( just about get through my 9-5) I'm making mistakes at work and just generally feel really low.

I'm struggling to get full results of blood test out of doctors but I've been told it's all normal. My TSH is at 2.8 which I'm told can be up to 5 so it's all ok.

GP actually said its normal to be tired at 32 years old trying to work full time and run a household .... !

Any advice on what I can do next? Is 2.8 really normal ? He mentioned it had increased slightly following my surgery. But again isn't giving numbers. This lack of help is very disappointing 😕

* should add I had my left side removed due to a large tumor & cyst

[JGBH]

You have the right to obtain a copy of ALL tests results. Tell you GP, asking for your tests results is your legal right. It's illegal for him to not let you have them. GPs think they rule the world... they don't! So never be intimidated by GPs.

Hope you get your results soon and that you will make a good recovery. It will take some time no doubt.

Best wishes.

[Adele-84 in reply to JGBH]

Thank you, I am going to go back and ask for a print out of it all

[JGBH in reply to Adele-84]

Adele, don't let the bully intimidate you. Each time you phone for your results ask them to leave a copy at reception where you'll collect them. Good luck and best wishes to you.

[shaws]

What the doctor means is that TSH is within the 'normal' range - the top of which is around 5. Unfortunately the British Thyroid Association has stated TSH has to reach 10 before we are prescribed but not sure if that would relate to you. Others who've had the same op as you will respond but this is what I've read a minute ago:

"These days I notice that things have changed for patients with partial thyroidectomies. I have personally observed people with only half of their thyroid remaining being told by doctors that there is no need for medication as the half thyroid will be able to cope with all the work. Wrong! I have seen these people gain massive amounts of weight whilst their doctors observe only their TSH readings and then offer them 'Blood pressure medication', 'diabeties medication' and 'cholesterol medication' - all the time encouraging them to do the impossible and lose the weight."

patient.info/forums/discuss...

So, I always say an opinion from someone who has the same has more practical knowledge than endocrinologists or doctors who have no problem with their thyroid gland.

In actual fact, a TSH of around 1 or lower is most probably 'normal' for someone with no problems with their thyroid gland so we, hypothyroid, prefer a dose of thyroid hormones to allow our TSH to be low or suppressed.

If you can get your GP to do these tests, particularly Free T4 and Free T3. Or if you can privately. We have recommended labs.

The medical profession have absolutely no idea what we suffer through ignorance. Thankfully, this forum is helpful and get info through the 'horse's mouth (so to speak

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

[Adele-84 in reply to shaws]

Thank you for sharing this information 😊

[Nickinoo1]

I had a hemithyroidectomy in Jan 2015. Thankfully my TSH now sits around 1 or under which is fine by me as I take the 100mcgs of Levo & top up with NDT. I work on how I feel.

I was told too that I wouldn't need any meds after op. Turned out the half they took out was the half that worked. Keep fighting to get those results then the good folks here will be able to help you. Their help is invaluable and has allowed me to progress to being active again.

[tcpace]

From my wife's experience, you really need to get your TSH down to about 1 or less. That may be enough to get you well (it wasn't for my wife) and keep in mind that you, like my wife, may be one of the less fortunate people who need NDT or T4/T3 therapy (my wife eventually settled on 25T4/30T3 daily). In other words, start with getting your T4 medication to a level where the TSH is 1 or less and if you're still unwell, explore whether NDT or T4/T3 is the answer for you. Hope things start looking up soon.

[Adele-84]

Thanks everyone! I am not on any medication, as my levels according to the docs are 'normal' 😠

[Hidden]

The fact that your TSH is as low as that a full 6 weeks after a partial is some degree of proof that there is still something working in the half that remains. You need to keep checking regularly whether the reading increases or decreases.

An increase probably means you will need levo very soon, a decrease means the remainder is slowly starting to recover in which case you should avoid the levo.

Mine took 3 months to start operating properly after a partial.

[Adele-84 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for giving me hope !