Total thyroidectomy!

[Tigerlillie123]

So the day after tomorrow I go into hospital for a thyroidectomy😳I have a large 8cm goiter which has been growing before 2011 and smaller goiters on the other side..recently had an undetermined biopsy so needless to say I am very scared about the whole thing really..anyone with similar experiences would be gratefully received 😬

[jls1409]

Hi,

I had a TT 7 weeks ago (June 22). I had 5cm goiter on the left side and a smaller one on the right. It started causing pain in my neck. I am finally feeling good. The best I've been in 3 years. My energy is back and I started going to the gym again. My scar is almost invisible. I have only been on T4 for the past year with increases every time my blood work was done. Your own hormone takes about 4 weeks to be completely metabolized in your body, which means it will take a little time to regulate and see what you need when you aren't producing any yourself.

I had 2 problems after surgery. I was allergic to the glue they used on my incision, (which is rare) and my calcium levels dropped about 1 1/2 days after surgery. I felt like I lifted weights for 10 hours straight. I couldn't lift my arms or legs. I took chewable calcium and within 3 hours I felt better. I am gradually weaning off them. Stay positive. I am so happy I had the surgery.

[Tigerlillie123 in reply to jls1409]

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply..Im so glad you are feeling much better now...

[jls1409 in reply to Tigerlillie123]

Good luck with surgery. Let us know how it goes.

[Hidden]

I had mine TT done 2.5 years ago before I wasn't on any medication, but the growth pushed my trachea out of place so I couldn't breathe. I am now on NDT this site is good

for advice I hope everything goes well. If you have an experienced surgeon great but ask about your parathyroid beforehand.

Mine were put into my neck and arm and my calcium levels are fine.

[Tigerlillie123 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much for your reply I really appreciate it...glad you are doing ok

[jgelliss in reply to Tigerlillie123]

Tigerlillie123

Strength for you . I had TT many years ago . What I learned from my thyroid journey since is that I should have been more pro active . I should have been more prepared about thyroid hormones T3 and T4 /NDT . Nutrients that help our thyroid meds work better for us . Truthfully there was very little information available and there where no Great Forums existing at the time .

You took one of the Best Step reaching out to this Great Forum and get as much information as you can get . I am very vain and I asked my Surgeon to make the incision in the crease of my neck . He was very respectful and my incision is invisible . Ask for copies of all your tests and reports . Try to take it easy . Gives yourself lots of TLC and time to recuperate . You'll do Great .

Wishing you much Success .

[Kell-E]

I had a TT in 2011 for a 3.4 cm nodule that came back with an indeterminate biopsy. It turned out not to be cancerous, but I'm glad they removed it because it never worked right.

Take note from this forum that many with a total thyroidectomy taking T4 only do not fare as well as they might. Do your homework on NDT and T3 in case you need it.

Other than that recovery was a breeze and scar nearly invisible now. (though it looked like a shark attack at first) My parathyroids were traumatized and I had to take calcium for a few months but that resolved. I feel better now than before the TT. Take care and let us know how you did!

[Tigerlillie123]

So I finally had my thyroid removed last Thursday..all went ok..levels were all ok so was able to come home the next day..I don't feel too bad..legs can feel a little wobbly and my scar is a bit swollen but other than that I am fine..not as bad as I thought it would be...Ive got to wait now till the 6th September for my biopsy results..I hope all is fine keeping everything crossed...thank you everyone for your kind positive messages xx

[Tiredmum75]

HI Tigerlillie I had thyroid removed just over 12 months due to doctors thinking I had cancer and it was graves anyway over 12 months all my nodules and thyroid are growing back with a lot of symptoms of graves coming back. I hope your surgery went well and best of luck with the future and most importantly look after your diet and stress levels

[Tigerlillie123 in reply to Tiredmum75]

Thank you for your reply to my post..I am only a week after surgery..will get my biopsy results on the 6th of September.Sorry to hear you have/had graves..did they remove your whole thyroid?Lets hope they can sort it for you and I hope you don't have to have more surgery xx

[Tiredmum75]

Yes they removed whole thyroid I’m seeing Endocronligist next month

[Tigerlillie123 in reply to Tiredmum75]

Oh no let us know how you get on xx

[DonnaT86]

Hi

Did you have any drains in your neck after the surgery and if so did they hurt when they were removed?

How did you feel after the surgery?

Thank you

Donna