Is it normal to break down in tears for no reason?

[Shires08]

I'm 3 weeks post total thyroidectomy.

I'm also struggling to sleep

[shaws Administrator]

I'm sorry you are feeling so awful.

The fact that it's only three weeks since your thyroid gland was removed, you are in fact 'recovering' from an operation. You are entitled to 'break down' as it's nature's way of relieving worries etc.

Removing a thyroid gland altogether means you have no thyroid hormones at all unless the doctor or endocrinologist prescribed for you.

What dose of levothyroxine (I am assuming it's levo) have you been given? Do you take this on an empty stomach with one full glass of water and wait an hour before eating? Food can interfere with the uptake of the hormones.

Ask GP to test B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate. Everything has to be optimal.

Always get a print-out of your results for your own records and post if you have a query. Rages should always be given as labs differ in their machines, so results can be different.

Members who've also undergone the removal of their thyroid gland will respond when they read your post.

You have my sympathy and I'm sure many on the forum who've undergone a thyroidectomy can sympathise too.

This is the method when getting bloods checked:-

Always get the earliest appointment - even if made weeks ahead. Allow a gap of 24 hours between last dose and test and take it afterwards.

Also ask for B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate to be checked too. Everything has to be optimal. Always get a print-out of your results with the ranges and post if you have a query.

[Shires08 in reply to shaws]

Thank you yes I'm levo 125 I take it last thing at night with water I ensure that i havent had anything else to eat or drink 2 hours before. I've also been given vit D.

My circulation isnt great since the op numb and cold feet not all the time.

Struggling with feeling fainting /black outs on standing I was re admitted to be checked out but nothing showed up

Also waiting for gallstones op

[shaws Administrator in reply to Shires08]

I don't know why - if someone has had their gland removed altogether you don't autoimatically be given T3/T4 combination.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Welcome to the forum

Presumably you have been prescribed levothyroxine

How much and which brand?

Are you taking levothyroxine early in morning or last thing at night

Important to always take on empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking, if any?

Was thyroidectomy for Graves’ disease or for thyroid cancer?

Thyroid levels should be tested 6-8 weeks after your operation

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

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if you had Graves’ disease

Ask GP to test vitamin levels now if not been tested yet

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)

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...

Medichecks Thyroid plus vitamins including folate (private blood draw required)

medichecks.com/products/thy...

Thriva Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins By DIY fingerpick test

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Thriva also offer just vitamin testing

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test

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...

Did you have thyroid levels tested before operation?

[Shires08 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you pre op my results were

Wcc 1.2

Neutophil 0.2

Tsh less than 0.01

Free T4 34.2

Free T3 14.1

Crush blockage lugols iodine 3xper day for 10 days

Total thyroidectomy

On discharge pth 3.2

Ca2+ 2.51

Not further bloods yet.

Initial struggle with feeling faint potential blacking out on standing was re admitted for investigation nothing showed up

Circulation issues at times cold and numb feet

Breaking down for no reason

Sleeping not sleeping not tired max 3 hours

[humanbean]

Have you had your calcium and phosphate levels checked? They need to be checked a few times post-thyroidectomy because your parathyroid glands can be damaged (or even get removed) during thyroidectomy. And the parathyroid glands control calcium and phosphate levels in the body.

[Shires08 in reply to humanbean]

I've not had any bloods yet another 2 weeks I'm taking vit D, 125 levo

[shaws Administrator in reply to Shires08]

This is the procedure for blood tests:

Make the appointment weeks ahead to ensure you get the earliest one. It is a fasting test (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between last dose and test and take it afterwards.

[Thyroidnewbie84]

Hi,

Hope you start to feel better soon. Just wanted to give you some reassurance. I’m about 4 months post TT. About 3 weeks in I started to feel the same as you. I was advised that your natural thyroid hormones start to fall, as the Levothyroxine takes up to 6 weeks to peak. So there’s a bit inbetween where your hormones may well be out of kilter.

As people on the forum also reminded me you are not long recovering from a major operation.

Take your time and be gentle with yourself.

I promise it does ease and is completely normal.

[Shires08 in reply to Thyroidnewbie84]

Thank you.

How are you now?

[Thyroidnewbie84 in reply to Shires08]

I’m getting closer to my pre TT self. It’s taking a bit longer than I expected - that in its self was a bit of a challenge to accept. However, definitely much less with tears and in general my physical health has returned. I’ve been supporting my recovery with vitamins, removing Soya from my diet, exercising regularly - generally looking after myself. As a really active busy person, it’s been a bit of adjustment whilst we get my Levothyroxine right. However I can see the end in sight now.

The biggest thing for me was adjusting my expectations. I heard so much from surgeon that two weeks after I would be fine. That may be true for some but not all. It’s completely normal for it to take up to 3/4 months or longer according to my Gp. That was a big lesson for me. Learning to not beat myself up for not snapping back after 2 weeks. I really wish they would prepare you better for the emotional affects after the Op.

Hope you start to feel much better soon.

[Shires08 in reply to Thyroidnewbie84]

Glad to hear you are improving.

They dont really explain what to expect afterwards i was led to believe that I would be back working within 2 weeks ( I'm a sports coach)

I thought I should be doing more than I am but it's the breaking down in tears for mo reasons I'm struggling with.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Thyroidnewbie84]

The very sad fact is that the 'professionals' fail to know how unwell some can be before they get to a dose or a combination dose that restores health and well being.

[Shires08]

I maybe should have included

I had previous overactive thyroid and had been in remission for 24 years and started with symptoms in June 2020

Lost 2 stone in 6 weeks

Previous allergic reaction to carbimazole and ptu

Pre op results

Wcc 1.2

Neutrophils 0.2

Tsh less than 0.01

Free T4 -34.2

Free T3- 14.1

Then started crash blockade lugols iodine 3 x per day for 10 days

Total thyroidectomy

On discharge

Pth 3.2

Ca2+ 2.51

Taking levo 125

Vit D

Taking levo last thing at night 2 hours after food or drink. Taking with glass of water

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Shires08]

How low was vitamin D

How much vitamin D are you currently taking?

Which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking?

[Shires08]

Levo.

1ud vitamin d

Had 6 weeks post op blood results back and results are still showing that I'm overactive and bloods are not much lower than pre op plus white blood count and neutrophil was low at 0.9.

I have now had levo reduced to 100mg and my calcium was on the high side of normal and they would rather my calcium being on the low side of normal so have reduced it to 1 tablet per day.

I have gone back to being unable to sleep in the early hours ( thyriod hormone surge) past few days breaking down in tears has eased. Still losing weight but at a lower rate than pre op.

Consultant to re do bloods in another 6 weeks