2 days post hemi thyroidectomy-how should I feel?

[strangelittleisland]

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!

[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 in reply to humanbean]

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 Administrator]

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 in reply to SlowDragon]

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 Administrator in reply to strangelittleisland]

Sorry I have no experience of operation

Perhaps someone who has may respond tomorrow

Come back with new post any time

[bantam12 in reply to strangelittleisland]

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 in reply to bantam12]

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

[Nanaedake in reply to strangelittleisland]

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 in reply to Nanaedake]

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 in reply to strangelittleisland]

Yes and diagnosis.

[strangelittleisland in reply to strangelittleisland]

Hopefully whatever I’ll feel better from this bit soon

[Batty1 in reply to strangelittleisland]

Did your doctor put you on thyroid medication after surgery?

[strangelittleisland in reply to Batty1]

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

[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.

[strangelittleisland]

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]

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 in reply to Kimkat]

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 in reply to strangelittleisland]

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 in reply to Kimkat]

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 in reply to strangelittleisland]

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

[Kimkat in reply to strangelittleisland]

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 🤞🏼

[strangelittleisland]

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.