hi, first time ever posting on a forum in my life!
I am between 24-48hrs post hemithyroidectomy and am very uncomfortable. Just wondering what other people’s recovery was like? How long until you were able to do normal day to day things. I have 3 young children and am very active so finding this really difficult!
Thanks.
Hi Nicwoody
I had a hemi followed by a total thyroidectomy six weeks later and recovered quite quickly .
Are you currently having any meds? Or are they working on the mythical assumption that what’s left of your thyroid will provide enough hormones? That’s a disaster waiting to happen.
I wasn’t medicated after hemi. My levels dropped alarmingly
It’s not a “mythical assumption” that the remaining half takes over, it can and does for many people.
I suppose that’s the case but it certainly doesn’t for many more. I was one of the latter.
why did you have to have a total 6 weeks later? Poor you going through the op twice. No medication; my function was all normal, it was to remove a t3f nodule so am awaiting results for next steps. Really hope no medication is necessary 🤞🏼 or further ops 😫
I hope so too. I hope that the surgery has been successful and that your recovery is swift. I take it that your thyroid function is still normal post op?
I had a hemi for suspected thyroid cancer. Huge mass. Thyroid function normal pre op. Biopsy proved positive for follicular cancer. By this time I’d been discharged. By the time I had OP appt for result and the surgery for removal of other node, doc weeks had gone by. I felt very ill.
They haven’t/ won’t test my levels until 6 weeks post op I have been told. Did you have to have any further treatment after total op? Hope it has settled for you now x
No levels tested yet? Great!
After total op I had radioactive iodine to ablate remnants. Put on T3.
After final clearance scan 6 months later, T3 stopped and started on Levo. A nightmare three years until they finally conceded I needed T3 and added it to Levo.
glad to hear you recovered quite quickly. I’m feeling really sore (& sorry for myself) still!
Understandable and I’m sorry to hear that. At least your remaining lobe is providing sufficient hormones to support recovery.
I was fortunate in having an experienced thyroid surgeon do my surgeries. Essential for good recovery. Minimal scarring although two surgeries done. No bruising or swelling after first three days. No damage to parathyroid glands which so often happens.
I can’t stress enough the importance of making sure that people seek out an experienced surgeon if they need thyroid surgery.
might be a bit random- when did you lie flat on pillows for sleep again? The back of my neck is in agony from tensing I think and think sleeping flat may now help. Thank you
I had my operation 18 years ago. I remember not being able to have anything but a totally pancake pillow! I felt like my head was going to fall off! Good luck with your recovery, everybody is different with the healing process. Eat healthily & get as much rest as you can x
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