2 days post hemi thyroidectomy-how should I feel? - Thyroid UK

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2 days post hemi thyroidectomy-how should I feel?

strangelittleisland profile image

Hi, just wondering how I should feel 2 days after a left hemi thyroidectomy for diagnostic purposes ? Wound doesn’t look too bad, haven’t a temperature but feeling really rough especially if I get out of bed jittery and sick, please can anyone advise if this is normal ish and what you can expect? Thank you!

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strangelittleisland
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22 Replies
humanbean profile image
humanbean

Why did you have the surgery, and how did you feel before it happened? Were you being treated for thyroid disease of any kind?

strangelittleisland profile image
strangelittleisland in reply tohumanbean

Hi thanks for reply. I had been feeling not quite right since last Aug with a feeling of something in throat and generally feeling tired. However all results including thyroid results came back normal. Was poorly with what doc thinks was a thyroiditis in March, treated with co amoxiclav (I think) during this time also found nodule. Ultrasound was thy3a and fine needle biopsy results were inconclusive so had left thyroid out for diagnosis.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Contact your GP on Monday to discuss what recovery should look like

Presumably you have had thyroid tests before the operation

Did this include testing vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12?

Bloods should be retested about 6-8 weeks after to see if the half left is coping and providing enough hormones

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

strangelittleisland profile image
strangelittleisland in reply toSlowDragon

Thanks for above. I didn’t have thyroid tests directly before operation but had earlier this year.

Think I need to do a heap of research here as didn’t know any of this!

I think you’re right will phone doc on Monday.

I know it’s individual circumstance but is it possible to roughly gauge how should you feel 2 days post op?

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply tostrangelittleisland

Sorry I have no experience of operation

Perhaps someone who has may respond tomorrow

Come back with new post any time

bantam12 profile image
bantam12 in reply tostrangelittleisland

From my experience it's pretty normal to feel grim for a few days and even longer post op, the anaesthetic can take a while to get over.

strangelittleisland profile image
strangelittleisland in reply tobantam12

Thanks that’s good to hear as that’s how I’m feeling. Hopefully feel bit better tomorrow then.

Nanaedake profile image
Nanaedake in reply tostrangelittleisland

Could take a couple of weeks to clear the effects of the anaesthetic and could take 3 to 6 months to get onto an even keel. Depends on diagnosis and how your body responds. Definitely check vitamin levels.

strangelittleisland profile image
strangelittleisland in reply toNanaedake

Thanks, it’s good to know that it’s normal to feel so rough. Never had a general before so wasn’t sure what to expect but there’s also the op too.

strangelittleisland profile image
strangelittleisland in reply tostrangelittleisland

Yes and diagnosis.

strangelittleisland profile image
strangelittleisland in reply tostrangelittleisland

Hopefully whatever I’ll feel better from this bit soon

Batty1 profile image
Batty1 in reply tostrangelittleisland

Did your doctor put you on thyroid medication after surgery?

strangelittleisland profile image
strangelittleisland in reply toBatty1

No think they are hoping that right thyroid will start to up its production. I will have a blood test to check

Julesboz profile image
Julesboz

Hi, I had a hemithyroidectomy last November. It took about 6 weeks to feel normal ish (albeit thyroid function not great). Immediately after the op, I had a week or so of feeling weak, wobbly and rough from the anaesthetic. I had 2 weeks of rest (as advised by the doctors) and then gradually started doing more things but slowly. Any surgery is tough on the body, be kind to yourself and patient.

Thanks. Actually feel better today and spent morning downstairs pottering but now feel rough again so back in bed. I guess what you’re looking for is an overall improvement day by day. Think I have some reading to do about this subject.

Kimkat profile image
Kimkat

I had a partial thyroidectomy a few years ago and you will feel quite tired after a general anaesthetic. Some people take a while to get over surgery but you should listen to your body and take rest when you need it and try not to do too much. My body goes into shock when I have a general for some reason and that takes it out of me.

strangelittleisland profile image
strangelittleisland in reply toKimkat

Thanks for above. Never had a general before now. Think it has taken it out of me. Interesting to hear what everyone has to say and sounds like general anaesthetic is a common theme and contributor to feeling rough. Do you mind if I ask what your and other peoples experience of having half a thyroid early on? Thanks

Kimkat profile image
Kimkat in reply tostrangelittleisland

I had my first thyroidectomy when I was 26, in 1982, then spent three next 3 years on carbimazole then my levels sorted themselves out and all was fine until about 10 years ago and I started getting palpitations, sleep loss and generally feeling awful, no energy, weight gain (I’ve always been slim) hair thinning, all the usual problems. I then had a swelling on the left hand side of my neck and started down the road of blood tests, find needle aspirations and scans, to find that I had multiple nodules. I had another partial thyroidectomy 4 years ago, aged 62, then had to have RAI two years ago. I have just started on thyroxine as I am now hypothyroid.

strangelittleisland profile image
strangelittleisland in reply toKimkat

Looks like you’ve been on quite a journey with your thyroid. Hope you’re feeling better on the thyroxine and it’s all settled down for you now.

strangelittleisland profile image
strangelittleisland in reply tostrangelittleisland

I’m just hoping my other thyroid produces enough of what I need

Kimkat profile image
Kimkat in reply tostrangelittleisland

If I’m honest it was all fine for roughly 25 years (at least I think it was) can’t really say that I feel any different at the moment, I’ve been on 25mg for ten days. I realise that is a low amount but I do have a pacemaker so that could be the reason I’ve been started on a low dose. I’ll have another blood test in around 5/6 weeks and see what happens from there. Fingers crossed 🤞🏼

25 years sounds positive. Hope they get dose to level that works for you soon. I’m really struggling at the moment with tiredness so thinking I must be hypo at the moment just hoping my other half kicks in the make up the deficit.

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