Total thyroidectomy on Monday 10th feb - Thyroid UK

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Total thyroidectomy on Monday 10th feb

Crazycatlady13 profile image
8 Replies

Hi , I'm having a total thyroidectomy due to a retrosternal goitre which is crushing my windpipe and I have ALL the symptoms of underactive but the bloods were always borderline.

I'm so nervous as I know this is going to be a bigger op than a normal thyroidectomy as theres a possibility that they will have to break my sternum.

Does or has anyone had similar. I feel so scared!

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Crazycatlady13
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8 Replies
Lora7again profile image
Lora7again

I am sure others who have been through the operation will be along to comment shortly. I have never heard of your sternum being broken to remove your thyroid ... has your Doctor told you why this might be done?

Crazycatlady13 profile image
Crazycatlady13 in reply to Lora7again

Yes hes hoping he will not have to,but he wont kknow until he goes in. My thyroid has grown outwards, inwards and downward into my chest. But now its stopping me breathing and eating easily so it needs to come out xx

Lora7again profile image
Lora7again in reply to Crazycatlady13

Hopefully that won't happen xx

Crazycatlady13 profile image
Crazycatlady13 in reply to Lora7again

Fingers crossed! Or recovery time will be alot longer. Love your cat pic btw ! X

Lora7again profile image
Lora7again in reply to Crazycatlady13

It looks just like my ragdoll cat ... I did have the real picture of him up before but my computer broke and I lost a lot of my personal pictures. I will take one of him and put it on here when I have time.

Crazycatlady13 profile image
Crazycatlady13 in reply to Lora7again

Awww xx

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Suggest you get FULL Thyroid and vitamin testing before the operation....and about 8 weeks after

Presumably you will be started on levothyroxine after the operation

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 vitamin levels

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

If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3 £29 (via NHS private service )

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

Crazycatlady13 profile image
Crazycatlady13 in reply to SlowDragon

Thank u for that xxx

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