Sex after thyroidectomy

[Leosona]

How long after thyroidectomy one can start having sex?

[jimh111]

I don't think there is any rule. It shouldn't matter, as long as you feel well there are no risks.

[Leosona]

Thank you for your reply.I am just nervous I guess as it’s been only 4 weeks.

[galathea in reply to Leosona]

What do you think might happen? If you feel well there should be no problem with anything you want to do.

[jimh111 in reply to Leosona]

Four weeks is a long time! (the scar will have healed). Make sure your thyroid hormone is adequately replaced. If you feel tired or hypo let your doctor know. Too little or too much thyroid hormone can cause tiredness and loss of libido. So, it's important to get the right dose for you.

[Leosona in reply to jimh111]

Yes, I am going for my blood tests next week. What are the symptoms of hypo? How often do you think we should get the blood tests done and what tests?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Leosona]

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested. Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Ask GP to test vitamin levels

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 as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

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

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin

medichecks.com/products/thy...

Medichecks often have special offers, if order on Thursdays

Thriva Thyroid plus vitamins

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

[Leosona in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you for your detailed reply. Would you know the average cost of the blood test if you go privately as my insurance cover would not cover it?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Leosona]

Prices are on those links

Medichecks have just added small extra cost to cover tracked postal return as Royal Mail is currently very slow

Other company options you would need to pay for tracked postal service

Only do test early morning on Monday or Tuesday

Ideally 6-8 weeks after any dose change (or brand change) in levothyroxine

[Leosona in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you.

[jimh111 in reply to Leosona]

I think you should test TSH, fT3, fT4 at 6 to 8 week intervals until you have arrived at an effective dose. IF TSH is reflecting you status well a TSH assay once a year would be fine. However, for some patients TSH does not reflect how they are doing and so fT3 and fT4 are important. I would test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 once and if they are abnormal treat and monitor until they are sorted. There's a temptation to think more blood tests equals better treatment, not so in most cases.

[Leosona in reply to jimh111]

Thank you for your valuable advise.

[Leosona]

Thank you for your reply.