Total thyroidectomy

[Kirstylstocks]

Hi everyone I've not posted for a while. I had my thyroid removed on the 28th November. It all went well. Although my calcium levels are slightly low but unsure on the range because I never thought to ask. I still have my voice too its changed slightly but think that's down to bruising. Also unsure on my vitamin levels so I'm going to ask if this as been checked. I'm now taking 125mg of thyroxine. And 2 calcium tablets a day. I feel like utter rubbish. I feel so unwell I get jelly legged feel wiped out. My lips keep tingling too. And when I take a deep breath back or feel the need to cough it really hurts my chest it's like a big stabbing feeling. That spreads to my top part of my back too. Sometimes tips of my fingers feel tingley too. Work asked me how long for recovery I told them they said 4 week. But the way i feel i think it may take longer. I work on a custermer service desk but can be moved to checkouts to begin with. How long did it take for you to recover and return to work?

[Gilli54]

I had this operation 17 years ago and didn’t return to my teaching position for a couple of months. And I returned on a phased basis. Recovery time is as much as you need as an individual. It is a major surgery and is a shock to the system. Especially as your calcium levels are not as they should be. I believe the tingling can be a side effect of low calcium. Some people bounce back quickly after surgery. Others take much longer. My younger sister also had this surgery three years ago and she moved to be near me and another sibling to be looked after until she felt able to go home and take care of herself. Now she feels like a new woman!! You must look after yourself and let your medical people know exactly how you feel and don’t suffer in silence. I don’t know about the pain you are experiencing and you would have to ask about it. Could be from the position you were in during the operation or something else. Let your doctor know. Try to do a little more each day as you are able. I hope you have somebody at home taking care of you while you convalesce. You will recover, but it takes time. And we are all different. Don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor/consultant if you continue to feel so awful. I do hope you are on the mend soon. 💕

[Kirstylstocks in reply to Gilli54]

Thankyou yes I have my partner here too. Yes I'll definitely speak with my doctor. The emotions are so unreal too I'm on a emotional rollercoaster. I can by very happy one minute crying with laughter. To feeling really low and depressed to just ok to very stressed and irritable and get very snappy quite quickly

[Gilli54 in reply to Kirstylstocks]

That must be so distressing. I don’t know your history, but fir sure your body systems are completely up the creek at the moment. Thyroid levels are crucial to all our body systems and you need time to adjust. My sister was very emotionally impacted by the operation. She had been extremely toxic before her op. She lived with me for two months beforehand as she was so very ill. But her long term recovery has been excellent. Take a day at a time and celebrate small wins. And don’t even think about work at the moment. Just warn them that your recovery is taking its time. Have you seen that animated film about what is happening inside your body with regard to emotions? It’s a Disney I think. Well,imagine inside your body all the little characters are running around screaming and tearing their hair out!! It’s total chaos. The good news is they will calm down and normal life will resume. 😃 but they need time to adjust. Stay positive if you can and get outside for a walk on bright days to give yourself a boost. 😊

[Kirstylstocks in reply to Gilli54]

Thankyou yes I will do that. Yeah its horrible I wasnt well before the opperation physically and mentally but now I feel worse especially with the emotional side of things I'll definitely be visiting the doctor see if theres some kind of calmers they can give me

[SlowDragon Administrator]

You need vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested

These are frequently too low with Graves' disease or Hashimoto's

Supplementing to bring all four vitamins to optimal levels can help improve symptoms.

Always test first, before starting on any supplements

Ask GP to test these and you will need calcium and parathyroid levels tested too

Thyroid levels will need checking 6-8 weeks after any dose or brand change of Levothyroxine

What brand of Levothyroxine are you currently taking?

Many patients after total thyroidectomy struggle to convert FT4 to FT3 so it's very important to test TsH, FT4 and FT3 levels together. You are unlikely to get FT3 tested on NHS

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

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

Cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3 £29 (via NHS private service )

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

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

For thyroid including antibodies and vitamins

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 special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random

Levothyroxine should always be taken on empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after

Many people take Levothyroxine soon after waking, but it may be more convenient and perhaps more effective taken at bedtime

verywellhealth.com/best-tim...

Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable.

Once you find a brand that suits you, best to make sure to only get that one at each prescription. Watch out for brand change when dose is increased or at repeat prescription. Many patients do NOT get on well with Teva brand of Levothyroxine. Though it is the only one for lactose intolerant patients.

No other medication at same as Levothyroxine, leave at least 2 hour gap. Some like calcium, magnesium, HRT, omeprazole or vitamin D should be four hours away

(Time gap doesn't apply to Vitamin D mouth spray)