Post Op Hemithyroidectomy

[P4321]

Hi I am 25years old, I am 2 weeks post op having had a right hemithyroidectomy due to a thyroid nodule. Received great news today that the nodule was benign. I have now been discharged from ENT.

Slightly confused after reading literature given prior to surgery about follow up bloods however this was not mentioned today and was not suggested by consultant when I asked. Is this something other people have experienced? Do people recommend I get bloods done?

Any help or advice would be great!

Thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Did you get full thyroid and vitamin testing done BEFORE hemithyroidectomy

How do you feel?

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after operation

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 and low B12 after anaesthesia

Ask GP to test vitamin levels (and thyroid antibodies if not been tested before)

Or test privately

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)

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 antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

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 down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code

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

monitormyhealth.org.uk/

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via

vitamindtest.org.uk

[P4321]

Thank you so much for your advice! I will get in contact with GP about testing.

I am feeling ok in myself but very fatigued, experiencing very cold feet. I had symptoms that include pins and needles in hands and feet, tiredness, low moods and headaches prior to surgery although basic bloods all came back ok prior to surgery and post op bloods ok also.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to P4321]

Please add actual results and ranges

Just testing TSH and Ft4 is completely inadequate

Pins and needles is frequently linked to low B12

If TPO or TG thyroid antibodies are high this is usually due to Hashimoto’s (commonly known in UK as autoimmune thyroid disease).

About 90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto’s. Low vitamin levels are particularly common with Hashimoto’s. Gluten intolerance is often a hidden issue to.

Link about thyroid blood tests

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

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org/if-you-are-un...

[P4321 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you! I currently do not have a copy of recent bloods but will get these uploaded once I do and will request new bloods to be done by GP.

I already have vitamin b12 injections every 3 months but symptoms have no improved since having them.

Thank you again for your help and advice.

[Suecoo66]

Glad to hear it was benign, just had my right lobe removed on Thursday so feeling very nervous about the wait to see if it is malignant or benign. Currently very sore throat /neck with hoarseness