Is this normal?: Hi all this is my first post on... - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

141,246 members166,486 posts

Is this normal?

hyperthyroidchantee profile image

Hi all this is my first post on here.

10 days ago I had a total thyroidectomy as the radioactive iodine did not work. The surgery went fine I was told. I already feel lots better than I did before the surgery. The only thing is I keep on getting is pins and needles in my fingers and toes. They have been there for the past 2 days.

The ward told me I could get in touch with them if I have any problems but I don't really want to bother them seeing as it is nearly Christmas.

Thank you if someone could give me advice.

Written by
hyperthyroidchantee profile image
hyperthyroidchantee
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
9 Replies
cjrsquared profile image
cjrsquared

Sounds like you might have low calcium, I would ring the ward you may need an urgent blood test.

hyperthyroidchantee profile image
hyperthyroidchantee in reply tocjrsquared

Thank you I will do that

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

It could be low vitamins.

Ask GP to test B12, folate, ferritin and vitamin D. Also calcium. But it's most likely B12

Especially as you recently had general anaesthetic

b12-vitamin.com/anesthesia/

Low B12 is common with thyroid issues anyway

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

Fibromyalgia can often be Thyroid not correctly treated

Getting thyroid hormones tested essential and you may need starting on Levothyroxine

Get TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested

All thyroid tests should be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results

hyperthyroidchantee profile image
hyperthyroidchantee in reply toSlowDragon

Hi

They started me on Levothyroxine the day after my surgery.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply tohyperthyroidchantee

How much Levothyroxine are you taking? What brand?

Get retested at 6 weeks. Earlier if symptoms are dire

All thyroid tests should be done as early as possible in morning and fasting and don't take Levo in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results

Definitely get vitamins tested next week

Always take Levo on empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after. Many take on waking, but it may be more convenient and possibly more effective taken at bedtime

verywell.com/should-i-take-...

Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable. Once you find a brand that suits you, best to make sure to only get that one at each prescription.

hyperthyroidchantee profile image
hyperthyroidchantee in reply toSlowDragon

100MCG Mercury pharma the brand is. My hospital consultant told me to stay on the same brand.

I rang the hospital ward and they told me to go in for a blood test for calcium.

My mum and dad have both had their thyroids removed and said they didn't have anything like this with pins and needles.

cjrsquared profile image
cjrsquared in reply tohyperthyroidchantee

It is a relatively common side effect post TT. The parathyroids are very close to the thyroid and can be damaged or ‘stunned’ by the surgery and that is why you cannot go home post TT until they have checked calcium levels. If it is caught early then oral replacement works otherwise it is a hospital admission and a calcium infusion. Symptoms rapid onset, over a 24 hour period, pins and needles in hands and or feet, fatigue, mental confusion.

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply tohyperthyroidchantee

You take levothyroxine with one full glass of water and wait an hour before being eating. Food interferes with the uptake of thyroid hormones.

Also when blood test is due, it has to be the very earliest, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between last dose and test and take afterwards.

Always get a print-out of your results with the ranges. Ranges are important to enable members to comment upon them.

SilverAvocado profile image
SilverAvocado

Yes, it is urgent to deal with these pins and needles. This is a life threatening condition and you can't wait till after Christmas as you will be deathly ill by then.

It's possibly for the parathyroids to be damaged during surgery, which means you will need to supplement calcium, either temporarily while they recover, or for life.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Is it normal to feel this awful?

Hi everyone I went to my GP a few weeks ago, armed with a list of symptoms (my memory is so bad...
Moggy1 profile image

Hashi's Hyperflare is this normal

Hi was diagnosed with Hashi's over 10 yrs ago but did not have many flares but am on T3 Only....
riannabri profile image

Is this normal behaviour for the doctors surgery!!!

So I had some blood tests last week, I have under-active thyroid and I was getting tested for vit...
miss_mae profile image

....is this normal..?

Hi all. I'm 35 year old male and I recently got told by doc that I had Hypothyroidism ....and she...
shinds profile image

Advice please on "normal" blood results

Hi all, I am once again at war with my doctors surgery, I just got my latest blood results back...
AGATES profile image

Moderation team

See all
Buddy195 profile image
Buddy195Administrator
Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator
PurpleNails profile image
PurpleNailsAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.