Thyroidectomy thyroxine

[Kev78]

Hi some advice needed If possible I had a total thyroidectomy 6 days ago and was put on 150mcg of thyroxine straight away by doctor at hospital, I am really tired all the time now and struggle to even go for a walk and have aches and slight chest pain can anyone tell me how long it takes for the thyroxine to start to work or to even feel half normal at least lol thanks

[Argie1]

Hi there, I had a thyroidectomy in January this year for Graves’ disease. You have just had a major operation and it takes time to recover. I felt like you for about 3 weeks after the op (I didn’t experience chest pain though so maybe you should contact your gp). I remember having a trip out to the garden centre and had to come home as I was completely exhausted. I kept reading that people were back at work after a week and couldn’t understand why I felt so bad. I slowly began to feel like my old self after about 3 weeks. I feel much better than I did before the op but do get tired as my b12, folate and Ferritin are low do am being investigated for that. You really need to rest up, be kind to yourself and don’t overdo things. You should have a post op appointment 6 weeks after the op where your levels will be checked to see if 150mcg is enough. Good luck with your recovery.

[Kev78 in reply to Argie1]

Thank you for the reply I was seeing posts of people been better straight away and I was thinking what is wrong with me lol I feel horrible at the min and irritable hopefully in a couple weeks I should see the benefit of the tablets and feel better. I do have a appointment in 6 weeks so see how it goes then I just want to be back at work and able to do stuff with the kids I hate been stuck in the house and sleeping so much

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Argie1]

Argie1 if your vitamins are dropping that indicates you are not correctly medicated

TSH should be around one (or less) and FT4 towards top of range and FT3 at least half way in range

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, TT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies and also very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies

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

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers.

All thyroid tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. When on Levothyroxine, don't take in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)

Blood test should be 6-8 weeks after any dose change or ANY BRAND CHANGE in Levothyroxine

[Drowsyserpent]

Takes a while for thyroxine to work, you should feel a little better in a couple of weeks, about three months to feel at your best. You should rest anyway if you only had the op six days ago. Hope you’re feeling better soon

[Nanaedake]

Everyone is different after thyroidectomy. Recovery varies enormously. There is no rule. Those that bounce back might crash a year later, 2 years later.

There are many factors like your stage in life, vitamin levels, general health and nutrition, reason for thyroidectomy, extent and whether parathyroid glands are injured or removed.

All you can do is optimise vitamins, nutrition, diet, ensure thyroid meds are right dose and type that suits you, get plenty of rest and don't compare your recovery to others.