Thyroidectomy this week

[MPPP]

Hi, a bit of reassurance needed please!

Following me noticing a thyroid nodule, others seen on unltrasound, High antibodies, other thyroid levels fine, 2 indeterminate FNAs and consultations with a general surgeon and a thyroid surgeon, I (reluctantly) decided to have a thyroidectomy done by the thyroid surgeon and it is this week.

I am probably being naive, but I think it is unlikely that the nodule is malignant, but I have been persuaded that I will never know that for sure. Monitoring of any changes - which will happen with Hashimotos - will only raise concerns about changes due to malignancy.

So I know it will be best to know for sure, and the operation is low risk.

But it feels really weird to have an operation this week when I am feeling completely well!

So I would like to hear from anyone who made the same decision.

Thanks in anticipation

[Nanaedake]

Well, I had a surgical biopsy to confirm diagnosis. Was that an option for you? I then had partial thyroidectomy as a result of findings. I've read it's best to have a surgeon who does 40 or more thyroidectomies a year for best result.

I don't have Hashimotos so I don't know if that makes a difference.

Yes I felt well beforehand and very unwell afterwards. I am now doing OK.

[MPPP in reply to Nanaedake]

The plan is to do the thyroidectomy straight away. And yes, thyroid surgeon does plenty, and the audit report shows good outcomes- so I am happy with that choice. But glad to hear you feel well now. Are you on Thyroxine?

[Nanaedake in reply to MPPP]

Yes, my experience with Levothyroxine has not been good, the lack of bioequivalence and poor bioavailability made me very ill. Lack of Primary care knowledge of meds they prescribed but many people do just fine. The quality of levo in the UK has been poor but maybe ok elsewhere. There are options depending on where you live and what you can afford.

Take humanbean's advice to get a baseline of your normal. You will probably do just fine.

[humanbean]

But it feels really weird to have an operation this week when I am feeling completely well!

I don't know anything about thyroidectomy. But if you feel well now, before the surgery, get private tests done that show your TSH, Free T4, Free T3 and thyroid antibodies, plus the various nutrients often mentioned on this site.

When you've had your thyroidectomy you will know what levels you needed to feel well. And that is going to be hugely valuable knowledge in the future.

[SilverAvocado in reply to humanbean]

Definitely agree with Humanbean. You are unlikely to be offered this on the NHS. I had several TSH and freeT4 before mine, but no freeT3 (the most important one).

As you operation is very close, the best thing to do is order from BlueHorizon or Medichecks immediately and do a finger prick test at home.

[cjrsquared]

Had nodules, resisted surgery for 5 years as normal thyroid function. I had yearly fna’s and ultrasound, told all ok. Finally gave in to surgery when nodules started compressing trachea when lying down. At TT one nodule was found to be malignant with one positive lymph node. I went on to have Radioactive iodine. Nearly 4 yrs later still clear of cancer. Feel I was very lucky and although life isn’t straightforward on replacement medication the disease could have been much more advanced and had a significant impact on whether I would still have been here.

In the end it is a judgement call and sadly scans and fna’s can’t give you the absolute certainty we would like. I was lucky hope all goes well for you.

[Ali8655]

Hi

I have a substernal goitre, am having a CT scan to see how far down it is and meeting endo surgeon to discuss next steps. As it is still growing suspect it will lead to a total thyroidectomy.

As I am feeling well I am undertaking private blood tests so that I will have something to check future tests against after TT.

Good luck with the op.

Ali8655

[MPPP in reply to Ali8655]

Please can someone point me to where I can get private blood tests done? Will get that sorted straight after my operation

[humanbean in reply to MPPP]

You really need the tests before surgery, not after. Your hormone levels will start changing the minute your thyroid is removed.

medichecks.com/thyroid-health

medichecks.com/how-it-works

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bluehorizonmedicals.co.uk/t...

bluehorizonmedicals.co.uk/a...

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The most popular test bundles on this forum are :

medichecks.com/thyroid-func...

bluehorizonmedicals.co.uk/t...

[Ali8655 in reply to MPPP]

Hi MPPP.

Blue Horizon or Medicheck. Both can be accessed independently or through the Thyroiduk website. Medicheck do deals on some of the tests on Thursdays.

[SilverAvocado in reply to MPPP]

It must be done before the operation. These tests are to look at the function of your thyroid.

[MPPP]

Just in case anyone else is in need of reassurance, my operation was straightforward, with virtually no pain other than a sore throat, and I am making a speedy recovery.

Thanks to those who recommended I had full blood tests - I have done that and all results are currently within range. It will be a good baseline for the future

[Argie1 in reply to MPPP]

I’ve got my op on 26th January. I’m really scared. Glad to hear yours went well! That’s made me feel a bit better! x

[MPPP in reply to Argie1]

I was terrified, but the experience was far less traumatic than I expected. NHS staff were all fantastic, I had nothing stronger than paracetamol and neurogenic - and only those so I could cough, as the anaesthetic makes you a bit phlegmy. Just a stiff neck, so you have to move your shoulders too when you look at anything!

[Argie1 in reply to MPPP]

Oh ok! How mobile were you when you got back home? I have Graves Disease so won’t be able to get a baseline set of results which is a shame

[MPPP in reply to Argie1]

Very mobile, just not able to lift things. Walked the dog 48 hours after the op!

[Lavender03]

How are you getting on a year after the TT please?

[MPPP]

All well with the op. Healed well and no problems. But blood tests show T 4 levels dropping so clearly the remaining half of the thyroid is failing