Advice- surgery: Hi there I'm asking for advice... - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

137,936 members161,765 posts

Advice- surgery

wildpoppy profile image
3 Replies

Hi there

I'm asking for advice for my sister.

She was diagnosed with a thyroid 'lesion' 3cm, about 3 months ago, has had various FN biopsies, the last one they told her 'inconclusive' and that could not rule out malignancy... Therefore, to have surgery to remove lesion and lobectomy (although since its an isthmal lesion, chances are that they will remove whole thyroid)...

She is slightly hypo (though they say she is fine as she sits on the cusp of lab ranges)

Anyone have any advice?

Written by
wildpoppy profile image
wildpoppy
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
3 Replies
Clutter profile image
Clutter

Wildpoppy,

Advise your sister to have her vitD checked. 40% of American patients having thyroidectomy are vitamin D deficient. Having good levels of vitD improves surgical outcomes and recovery.

I had hemilobectomy followed by completion thyroidectomy 3 months later. These are scheduled as day surgery with an over night stay for observation. Your sister should have plenty of liquids, soups and soft drinks available in case her throat is sore after surgery. I was find and able to eat normally. She may find turning her head uncomfortable for a couple of weeks and should refrain from driving until her neck is comfortable. She will need to rest for a couple of weeks after surgery.

If she has hemilobectomy it will depend on her thyroid levels whether she is prescribed replacement but if her TSH is top of range now I think she will need replacement. The nodule will be biopsied and if the tumour is malignant your sister may need completion thyroidectomy and follow up radioactive iodine ablatement dependent on what cancer she has, the size of the tumour and her age. If your sister has a total thyroidectomy she will be prescribed thyroid replacement the morning after surgery.

wildpoppy profile image
wildpoppy in reply to Clutter

thank you :-) thats very informative, much appreciated... and yes, i very much imagine she is bit d deficient since she works indoors every day! thanks again

humanbean profile image
humanbean in reply to wildpoppy

Once your sister has had a vitamin D test post the result here (in a new post) and ask for advice on how much she should supplement.

You may also like...

Advice on thyroid and appendectomy surgery

Hi I'm new here I need some advice I had my thyroid removed in sept 2009 goitre that was cancerous...

Surgery? Advice please

painful and I could feel a slight pressure on my trachea, directly behind the thyroid. I saw a...

Thyroid Nodule Surgery - Advice needed

hyperthyroidism 2 years ago due to various symptoms and a thyroid nodule. I had RAI and the nodule...

Medication adjustments following surgery - advice please.

am after some advice please regarding medication adjustments following recent surgery after an...

Advice re complaint to surgery