Test results post partial thyroidectomy

[Julesboz]

Hi all

I had a hemi thyroidectomy 6 weeks ago (large benign single nodule) and, although I initially felt like I recovered well, I really feel like my thyroid hasn’t yet come back to normal. I’ve put on weight, don’t have as much stamina as I had previously and am tired, with dry skin. I’ve also developed constipation and my libido has taken a dive. My surgeon has told me my thyroid is fine because 2 weeks post op my TSH was within range (although higher than my usual), so I’ve waited a bit and done a medichecks test to compare my results to pre op.

Pre op (NHS test) 15 Oct, taken at 8.30 am fasting

TSH 2.07mu/l range 0.27-4.2

Free T4 15.2 pmol/L range 12-23

Free T3 4.5 pmol/L range 3.2-6.8

5&1/2 weeks post op (Medichecks) 12 Dec, taken at 9 am fasting

TSH 3.25 mu/L range 0.27-4.2

Free T4 15.7 pmol/L range 12-22

Free T3 4.86 pmol/L range 3.1-6.8

Thyroglobulin and thyroid peroxidase antibodies both negative

Also had vitamins done

Ferritin 21.4 ug/L range 13-150

Folate 8.76 ug/L range >3.89

Active vitamin B12 144 pmol/L range >37.5

Vitamin D 65.4 nmol/L range 50-175

I supplement with low dose iron (can’t get ferritin higher than 30 because if I do I end up with over range blood iron saturation and symptoms of that, I just have to keep ferritin above the low end, and I have no signs of anaemia)

I also supplement with vitamin B12, folic acid, vitamin D and K. I’m going to increase my folic acid a bit to get my folate a bit higher.

I know I’ve got absolutely no hope of a GP taking any notice of the thyroid blood test results because I’m well within range but I definitely feel different with the change in TSH and feel my thyroid is struggling. I’m wondering whether to wait it out and see if I improve over the next couple of months or to bite the bullet and start taking some Metavive I that I bought some time ago when I was convinced my thyroid wasn’t 100% but I never plucked up the courage to take it as my case is obviously only mild and I haven’t got full blown hypothyroidsim. I’d appreciate opinions of some of you more knowledgeable people out there.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Your vitamin D is also too low. Aiming for at least around 80nmol and around 100nmol might be better

Your results from before the operation weren't brilliant.

FT4 only 32% through range

FT3 at 38%

After operation

FT4 37% through range

FT3 47%

Helpful calculator for working out percentage through range

chorobytarczycy.eu/kalkulator

Suggest you work on improving low vitamin levels and retest in further 8 weeks

Eating liver or liver pate once a week, plus other iron rich foods like black pudding, prawns, spinach, pumpkin seeds and dark chocolate, plus daily orange juice or other vitamin C rich drink can help improve iron absorption

[Julesboz in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks SlowDragon, I’ve always thought my thyroid wasn’t brilliant but all the medical professionals I’ve seen have always dismissed my thoughts about that. I’ll up my Vitamin D intake and try to increase ferritin and folic acid and hopefully that’ll help things improve.

[Julesboz in reply to SlowDragon]

SlowDragon , sorry another question...The calculation you did for my T3 and T4 is really good, I’ve never had that done before. I’m wondering what is ideal, where should they be in range? I’ve tried googling and can’t find anything.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Julesboz]

As you are not on any Levothyroxine, that's a tricky question.....but levels have risen

I would suggest you improve vitamins and see if levels continue improving at next test

[Julesboz in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes, that’s a good idea, thanks!

[jgelliss in reply to SlowDragon]

I'm trying to understand this calculation . I'm just not understanding it . Is there an English version of it please ?

Thank You in advance .

[Lora7again]

Your TSH is too high and sometimes they like it to be suppressed in people who have had thyroid cancer but yours was benign. Also your Ferritin is too low try eating pate ... I have a Ferritin level of 300 which is too high but I have inflamation in my body because of Graves' disease. What thyroxine are you taking and how much because I think you need it? Sometimes people without a thyroid or a thyroid which has been partially removed need T3 as well as T4 and they do well on NDT.

[Julesboz in reply to Lora7again]

Hi Lora7again, I don’t take any thyroxine, I never have. I’ve always been told that my thyroid function is fine despite my misgivings and even though I’ve had the nodule. I struggle to increase ferritin despite a diet high in natural iron and supplementing iron. I eat a lot of the foods suggested but can’t do pate because I hate liver! If I supplement too much iron it raises my ferritin but it also increases my blood iron saturation levels too much and I feel rotten.

[Lora7again in reply to Julesboz]

I think you need some Levothyroxine because your thyroid is not working as it should be but I am not a Doctor, just someone who has studied thyroid disease for the last 12 years by joining support groups in the US and here. Doctors refused to help me so I had no choice but to do my own blood tests and buy Thyroid S from Thailand.

Do you eat a lot of red meat? I love steak and beef but I have to be careful because my Ferritin is above the range.

[Julesboz in reply to Lora7again]

Thanks, yes I know what you mean. I’ve researched a lot and it’s why I joined this group. I’ve though there’s something wrong with my thyroid for a couple of years but so far have managed to keep on top of things with supplementing vitamins, minerals and sex hormones. Now I’ve had surgery and am feeling worse, I don’t know whether it’s worth biting the bullet and self treating or waiting to see if I recover. SlowDragon recommends waiting for a bit.

And yes I eat quite a lot of red meat, it’s not great for my kidneys but as I struggle with ferritin I do it anyway.

[Lora7again in reply to Julesboz]

I waited 2 years and I got sicker and sicker ... it is your health and body and you have to decide for yourself.

Good luck

Lora

[Julesboz in reply to Lora7again]

Thank you!