Thyroid removed

[Demonkitten666]

Do i have to have my thyroid removed or can I refuse to have it done just scared as they have trouble wakeing me up after every operation I have

[helvella Administrator]

No-one can make you undergo any treatment. However, you have not given any hint as to why removal is being suggested in this post - is it for Graves? I'd be scared of having my thyroid removed but I'd consent if it were, for example, a cancer.

Sometimes it is possible to use regional anaesthesia rather than general, have a read here:

academic.oup.com/bjaed/arti...

[Demonkitten666 in reply to helvella]

I do have graves

[Valarian]

In the U.K. at least, we have the option of refusing treatment.

Why are they saying you should have your thyroid removed ? Have other options been discussed ?

[Demonkitten666 in reply to Valarian]

Once two years ago he said I could have the tablet sorry forgot what it was called now said needs to totally come out

[Valarian in reply to Demonkitten666]

Do you have your last few sets of test results ? Are you on any medication at the moment ?

With Graves’, if the thyroid does need to be removed, there is usually the option of Radioactive Iodine (RAI). which destroys the thyroid, but is not a surgical intervention. This option is usually the first to be considered if the thyroid needs to go, perhaps especially in this case, given your history with surgery. You need to make sure your endocrinologist is aware of your past experience.

If your thyroid levels can be kept stable in the long term with daily low dose Carbimazole, this should be an option for discussion, but it seems it’s unlikely to be mentioned unless you ask about it. You would however need to consider the potential side-effects of Carbimazole, and the likelihood of relapse, and the potential impact of that too.

If your thyroid levels keep going over the range, and cannot be kept under control, then removing the thyroid, either surgically or via RAI, may be the best option. You would then (almost certainly) become hypothyroid, and need to take thyroid replacement (levothyroxine) for the rest of your life. This is considered easier to manage than being hyperthyroid, which can escalate very quickly. If you’ve had thyroid levels very much above the reference range, you will probably already have experienced some of the effects a hyperactive thyroid can have on the heart, for example. Also, levothyroxine replaces something the body would have produced naturally, whereas antithyroids interfere with the normal process of the thyroid and can additionally have major side-effects on other organs, including liver and kidneys.

Some info on RAI:

btf-thyroid.org/information...

Some info on thyroid surgery:

btf-thyroid.org/information...

There are people here with experience of all options, and in the case of surgery and RAI, with both positive and negative experience. The people who have had a bad time are understandably very passionate, but it’s important to ask for examples of positive experience too. In the end, you need to make the decision that is right for you, given the stability or otherwise of your Graves’, any other medical conditions you may have, and your lifestyle.

Some general information on being hyperthyroid- the bit on treatment is towards the end.:

thyroiduk.org/tuk/about_the...

[jimh111 in reply to Valarian]

Very sensible advice. In addition I would suggesting asking if you could have an appointment with a thyroid surgeon to discuss your worries. Also, if your endocrinologist is concerned about thyroid eye disease this can complicate the radioiodine option as radioiodine can sometimes make eye disease worse (this is a complex issue).