No thyroid but feeling swollen

[Feelingtired123]

It’s been 8 months since I had a thyroidectomy. It’s been up and down but generally bearable. In the last week I have an uncomfortable feeling in my neck which I wasn’t expecting. Almost like something is swollen inside but I don’t have a thyroid so I’m confused. I have been overworking so maybe it’s that? Has anyone else experienced this feeling?

[Nanaedake]

What was the reason for thyroidectomy? It may have a bearing on symptoms.

[Feelingtired123 in reply to Nanaedake]

I had Graves but it turned out to be a cancerous tumour inside too.

[Nanaedake in reply to Feelingtired123]

I would just get it checked out. Its probably nothing much and will settle down but just get it checked. Did you have the antibodies for Graves disease? If so, you will still have them but I'm not sure if they could irritate or not. Maybe someone with more knowledge on Graves would know?

[Feelingtired123 in reply to Nanaedake]

Thank you I will get it checked out

[Shellian]

Hi,

I had a thyroidectomy and bi-lateral neck dissection 12 years ago and sometimes my throat and neck feels swollen. This is usually when I've had a period of being underactive, been under the weather, or when it is hot or in rooms, cars with air conditioning. It also happens if I overstretch my neck, for instance reaching up to the ceiling. I believe it is due to fluid retention as the lymph nodes and lymphatic fluid have to find different routes. Maybe not the correct technical wording - but that's how it was explained to me.

However, as your operation is very recent maybe worth getting it checked out?

Good luck.

[Feelingtired123 in reply to Shellian]

Thank you for this. That makes complete sense and I’ll also take your advice and get it checked out. Many thanks

[Shellian in reply to Feelingtired123]

It worried me at first. Forgot to mention also important to keep hydrated that seems to help.

Keep us posted how you get on

Shellian 🙂

[Feelingtired123 in reply to Shellian]

Very good point, I don’t think I’ve been drinking enough water so thank you I’ll do that

[pennyannie]

Hello again Feelingtired

Can I just interject as we corresponded some 7 months ago, nd I have missed a couple of your posts since.

Just for reference, a fully functioning working thyroid would be supporting you daily with approximately 100 T4 + 10 T3. It s just seems logical to me that if there has been a medical intervention and the thyroid either surgically removed or ablated with RAI that both these vital hormones be on the patients prescription for if and when needed.

Some people can get by on T4 alone, some people dimply stop converting the T4, the inactive hormone into the active T3 hormone at some point in time and some people simply need both these essential hormones dosed and monitored independently to bring these two hormones into balance and to a level of well being acceptable to the patient.

I'm with Graves post RAI and became very unwell some 6 years ago.

Thanks to this amazing site, along with much research I have turned things around for myself, and as you are probably still in the system as you had surgery, I'm not suggesting you jump ship, but would suggest you start reading up on thyroid hormone replacement options.

We spoke of Dr Durrant - Peatfield, seven months ago and you expressed your wishes then.

I think it maybe easier to find an NHS endocrinologist who will prescribe a T3 in combination with T4 thereby finding your unique balance of these two essential hormones.

I'm still very happy on the NDT, I just think it's getting harder to find a doctor supporting this tried and tested thyroid hormone replacement, despite it's " grandfather " status and having been in use for over 100 years.

[Feelingtired123]

Thank you for all your advice. I’ve got an appointment in November with an nhs specialist but I will also start reading up on it. I would love to get T 3 added but simply don’t have the money monthly as I’ve had to take so much time off work so getting it in nhs would be amazing.

[pennyannie in reply to Feelingtired123]

Hey there again,

If you have current T3 and T4 blood tests results, they might show your conversion compromised and therefore you might be able to have T3 prescribed by a knowledgeable, understanding NHS endocrinologist.

Your conversion of T4 to T3 can be compromised if your ferritin, folate, B12 and vitamin D are not kept at optimal levels within their ranges.

It's a legitimate request considering you do not have thyroid as you have " lost " your own production of T3. T3 is the active hormone said to be about 4 times more stronger than T4.

The body runs on T3 and I read most people need around -50 T3 daily to function so, in effect you have been down regulated by 20% by not supplementing back your own thyroid production.

[Feelingtired123 in reply to pennyannie]

Thank you, I have asked previously but only my GP who looked at me blankly when i requested T3. I’m hoping the specialist will be more sympathetic. If not, I’m going to have to find a way to purchase T3 privately.

[pennyannie in reply to Feelingtired123]

Just a thought

You might be better placed to discuss your recovery with the endocrinologist if you knew in advance of your thyroid results, including the vitamins and minerals.

It your doctor is not amendable you can have the tests run through a private company, as detailed on the Thyroid uk website, and then you'll can get some considered opinion from the members on this site as to the results.

Knowledge is power, and we owe it to ourselves, in this day and age, to be well prepared when going to any meeting.

I was well prepared but " fell apart " with my nerves and anxiety over riding common sense and found no help, empathy or understanding.