Last year I had a Thyroid lobectomy and have since had a diagnosis of Hashimoto’s which has unfortunately caused a nodule on the other side of my thyroid which is causing problems with my swallowing so I’ve now been booked in for a completion thyroidectomy. Feeling particularly anxious as I know what to expect and had a couple of issues with pain management afterwards. Just looking for any advice or reassurance really. I’ve been told more of a risk with problems with calcium afterwards? Surgeon consultation last week and said would put me on the list and said would get me a date ASAP. Had Pre-op on the 13th September does anyone know how long that’s valid for? Thanks in advance for any information.
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Girl6789
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I’m so sorry you’ve experienced such problems and had such a hard time Girl6789. I’m sure others on here will get back to you with reassurance. This community is so helpful and supportive. You are surrounded by friends on here who wish you well and are by your side during your thyroid journey. Take care. X
While you wait for others with first hand experience to reply, regarding calcium, yes transient postoperative hypocalcaemia can be a common complication of thyroid surgery which occurs in up to 30% to 35% of patients. It comes about because the parathyroid glands next to the thyroid, are often “bruised” during thyroid surgery and so may not work too well for a short time after. This leads to a fall in parathyroid hormone PTH which is important in regulating blood calcium levels which usually resolves in days to weeks. But I understand that pre-operative vit D deficiency is associated with an increased risk of postoperative hypocalcaemia so it may be useful to test and supplement as necessary, if you don't already.
If you are having a completion thyroidectomy, you need an experienced surgeon. Apparently risks of complications are decreased if the surgeon does 40 or more thyroidectomies a year. Did you lose parathyroid glands with previous surgery? If so, then most important to retain them this time.
I had my thyroid out in France in Oct 2015 there they do not do partial, only full TT.
Try to choose a thyroid surgeon with plenty of experience. Ask about the replacement of you parathyroids (calcium) these are attached to the thyroid and have to be carefully replanted in some other part of your body, usually the arm. These may take time to start working again you will have a blood test to include calcium and if they are slow to work be given calcium supplements. I know nothing about time scales, sorry. Good luck
Thanks everyone for your very helpful and kind replies, he is a very experienced thyroid surgeon and he did my lobectomy last year. I’m sure when I get a date and can organised I’ll feel a little less anxious.
I had a total thyroidectomy in January 2016. I was warned of low calcium levels following surgery, which just before I was due to leave the hospital they came back telling me mine was low and had to stay in another night. I was given fizzy soluble calcium supplements to take for a while afterwards and then they checked my levels again and came off them totally a few months later. My calcium levels have been just below the normal levels recently and I am having them reviewed by my doctors to see if I need a top up.
Hope you get your date soon and if you need anything else please contact me.
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