Neck scar & weight gain

[SuperRab]

Hi everyone,

I has a right hemithyroidectomy 4 weeks ago and looking for some advice.

Underneath the incision, the tissue is really hard and raised. The actual scar isn't particularly noticeable but the lump below is quite pronounced and uncomfortable.

Also is it common to gain weight after thyroid surgery? I understand that I haven't been active whilst recovering but I just feel really swollen.

If anyone has advice or similar experience, I'd love to hear.

Many thanks 🐰

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after operation

Were bloods tested before operation

If yes….What were results

What vitamin supplements are you taking

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested

Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis.

Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease

20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis

In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test

If /when on levothyroxine …….. last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

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 all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options and money off codes

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

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.

Link about thyroid blood tests

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

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism

thyroiduk.org/wp-content/up...

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee

[SuperRab in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks you for such a detailed reply.

Prior to surgery I was euthyroid with normal T3, T4 and TSH. Surgery was due to a large retrosternal goitre that compressed my trachea.

I've not been taking any vitamin supplements since surgery, as not advised to. However about 4 yrs ago I had to take a short course of Vit- D as my levels were low.

How often should I have thyroid function checked if I only have half remaining?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to SuperRab]

Can you add actual results and ranges from most recent TSH, Ft4 and Ft3

Have you had both TPO and TG antibodies tested

How long since vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 last tested

Recommend you get FULL thyroid and vitamin testing at least annually

TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 every 6 months….or 6-8 weeks after any dose or brand change in levothyroxine if/when you start on levothyroxine

[Brightness14]

Did you vet your surgeon was he very experienced in thyroidectomy surgery. This should not happen but it could be just your healing process. That's the reason for removing the whole gland in one go here in France.

[SuperRab in reply to Brightness14]

Yes my surgeon is an honorary professor and an expert in the management of retrosternal goitres. They only took half to limit complications and so hopefully I'd produce enough thyroxine naturally.

[Cavapoochonowner]

Hello there,I had a total thyroidectomy due to graves last June.4 weeks is really very early in your healing process.I think it is usual for scar tissue to be hard at first,mine certainly was.It was fully healed and closed by my first check up 6 weeks after surgery.I was then told by the surgeon that I could gently massage the scar with an unscented cream to help break down the scar tissue and soften it.A year later one side if the scar is nice and flat,but the other is a little lumpier.That is the side which had the drain in.If you want to look through my profile I did document my surgery so it will show how mine healed.Best wishes to you.

[Hedgeree]

Hi SuperRab,

How do you feel now after your surgery? Has all the bruising healed?

When I had my demithyroidectomy I was seen two weeks later by the endo nurse. She advised on wound healing and how to massage the scar. Have you had something similar?

I realise your operation was much more complicated than mine but if you are worried about the lump below your scar I would get back in contact with the clinic for advice.

I had a small lump it wasn't sore but I was aware of it. The endo nurse wasn't concerned so I continued to massage the area and after a few weeks it went away.

The remaining half of my thyroid didn't manage to compensate for the part that was removed and so I was prescribed levothyroxine. Now I'm slowly titrating up my hormone dose.