Partial Thyroid removed last year, more problems to other side? Can anyone comment?

[helterskelter123]

Hi all, I had a partial thyroidectomy last March as I had large goitres on the left hand side of my thyroid. I was fine after the op and right up until December of last year when I started having exactly the same symptoms on the right hand side of my thyroid. My GP advised the right hand side felt very bulbous and, within a week, I have an appointment to see my surgeon tomorrow. Has anyone else been in this situation and. if so, does it normally mean the remaining thyroid needs to be removed. Thanks in advance. Helen

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Did you get full thyroid and vitamin testing as advised in previous post?

Thyroid may be swollen due to being hypothyroid

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Presumably you are still not on any levothyroxine?

Before agreeing to complete thyroidectomy you REALLY need full testing

Many people after half thyroid removed need to be on levothyroxine

[helterskelter123 in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes, they done the thyroid checks and said all was in order.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to helterskelter123]

ALWAYS get the actual results and ranges

You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results

UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.

Important to see exactly what has been tested and equally important what hasn’t been tested yet

[cjrsquared]

I had a TT 6 years ago for multinodular goitre, my surgeon discussed initially doing a hemithyroidectomy but advised that if you have nodules both sides they will get bigger over time so to consider a TT. In the end surgery was delayed for various reasons and the other part of my thyroid had also swollen to push on my trachea so a TT it was. During this time my thyroid function was entirely normal with no antibodies. I do not know the statistics but suspect it is very common to progress to a complete removal for goitre as opposed to Graves’ disease. Hope all goes well.

[helterskelter123 in reply to cjrsquared]

Thanks very much for your response. I'm wondering if that is why I'm bypassing all the consultants etc and being directed straight to the surgeon? Dare say I'll find out tomorrow. Thanks again

[Hidden]

If you are currently feeling well, I would suggest that you avoid the surgery. There will come the time that surgery is necessary to solve a serious health problem but in the meanwhile enjoy your life as best you can as it will never be the same again after a TT.

It is unlikely you would ever regain reasonable health after the operation as levothyroxine is simply the wrong medicine if you have no thyroid gland.

It is as good as impossible to get NDT on an NHS prescription which leaves you reliant on getting it from Thailand unless you resort to a private prescription which will be very expensive IF you can get it.

Those of us reliant on NDT are starting to feel very afraid of Thai NDT being no longer available at all.

I have been trying to get NHS prescription since 2014 (after 8 years of ill health on levothyroxine alone)and the response from the NHS has been deplorable. They have put forward as many objections as possible, each one of which they have failed to provide any proof whatsoever, they have lied to me and their latest excuse overrides the recommendation of the local Area Prescribing Committee and would make ALL requests for individual funding for EVERY similarly blacklisted medicine impossible.

They will go to any lengths not to allow the prescribing of NHS-funded NDT!