Hi everyone. Hope you're all keeping as well as you can.
I was curious to understand anyone else's experience of a partial thyroidectomy and any subsequent effects from it?
In April I discovered I was severely B12 deficient but the signs had been there for at least 18 months. But in August 2020 I had half of my thyroid surgically removed following the discovery of an indeterminant nodule as part of a check up for the removal of a benign parotid gland tumor. So they took both tumours at the same time.
With the fast progress of B12d in April, I understood it's often the case that the thyroid is affected or could have contributed in some way.
My question is - what is the best way to get your thyroid checked? If I get a private test like medichecks, will I still need to go back to my GP?
Clueless to how this works so appreciate any help!
Many thanks
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Have you been diagnosed with Pernicious Anaemia or “just” low B12
Are you currently taking B12 sublingual lozenges or B12 injections
Being hypothyroid frequently causes low stomach acid this leads to poor nutrient absorption and low vitamin levels as direct result
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
Nodules often occur with Hashimoto’s
Ask GP to test vitamin levels
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
I think I might do the NHS private test. I think this could give me some sway with the GPs if there's cause for concern.
I highly doubt they'll test my thyroid in a follow up to the B12 folate and full bloods if I request it now.
Unfortunately the FBC folate ferritin B12 testing got skewed by my over zealousness and impatience to supplement with sublingual liquid before the test. Naïvely I thought a little wouldn't hurt. I also matched it to my low meat/semi-vegetarian diet.
So im undiagnosed for B12 as the testing was normal but its clear Ive had B12d and am self medicating. Sublingual liquid does work for me but Im also on injections.
Are you on thyroid medication and/or is your GP not checking your thyroid levels regularly after surgery?
If you’re not being monitored by the NHS, you could go and insist with your GP that you are.
If you want to monitor it yourself, you can do a private test as you’ve suggested. It’s entirely up to you whether you choose to share those results with your doctor or not. Hypothetically, they’d be happy you’ve done them and include them in their records. However my own experience is that they completely discounted them.
Whatever you do, get a full evaluation including TSH, FT4, FT3, thyroid antibodies, Vit D, B12, Ferritin and Folate.
No medication or active check ups planned for thyroid. At my 6 month review after the op I asked about it and was referred to my GP 'if I showed symptoms'. Not sure what theyd be.
By that point I was mid-test for B12, folate, ferritin, fbc anyway as I had severe B12d symptoms.
For the thyroid Drs seemed confident Id be OK with half but I want to be sure.
As Ive already done the b12 testing Im not sure if theyd entertain a second test soon after,?
I’d say it’s worth a try. If they say no, you can always do your own test. Either way, if you want folks here to look at your results, put them on a new post.
I had thyroid cancer in 1999. They didn’t remove thyroid but blasted me with radiation and chemo. I would think your thyroid is not working from partial removal, so I would think T3 and T4 will be needed. I started on T4, I was always ill. I was tired, body hurt, irritable and those hot and cold sweats. I switched to Armor about a year ago and was improving slowly but now it’s gone wacky. I think Armor changed something
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