Hormone levels after hemi-thryoidectomy

[Lillywing]

I had half my thyroid removed this week and as my level was high end of normal the surgeon is hoping the other half will supply sufficient hormones. I couldnt get a full range of bloods because the private units are all shut due to Covid and NHS wouldn’t do the ones people had suggested. Six weeks to a blood check seems a long time. Any thoughts please. I feel fine at the moment. But I’m worried about a sudden drop.

[Lillywing]

Did you remove it due to the nodule being cancerous? Hope your ok now?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

You could test now .....likely NHS didn’t do full testing anyway

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

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies

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 .

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 thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Thyroid plus vitamins including folate (private blood draw required)

medichecks.com/products/thy...

Thriva Thyroid plus vitamins

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off if go on thyroid uk for code

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

Medichecks - JUST vitamin testing including folate - DIY finger prick test

medichecks.com/products/nut...

Medichecks often have special offers, if order on Thursdays

Retesting again in further 8-10 weeks

[Lillywing in reply to SlowDragon]

Great information thanks.

[bantam12]

I was fine for over 30 years with half a thyroid, no replacement hormones needed.