I have surgery coming up in 4 weeks (prolapse repair) and I'm wondering if it'll make my thyroid problems worse afterwards?
I ask this because I'm pretty sure the massive blood loss (3.8 litres to be exact) and the whole trauma I had with my emergency C-section nearly 2 years ago is what triggered off my thyroid/autoimmune issues.
The hospital is aware of my previous haemorrhage so I'm sure they'll take precautions, I'll probably have no pituitary gland left if I was to lose that amount of blood again!
Written by
Mummybear0213
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I don't think the blood-loss or the C section caused your Hashi's. That's just something that happens to a lot of women after childbirth due to the hormonal changes of pregnancy and birth. On the other hand, excessive blood-loss can cause Central Hypo where the pituitary or the hypothalamus is affected and not enough TSH is produced to stimulate the thyroid. But you could have both.
I should think, then that your thyroid is beyond being affected right now. If you're taking thyroid hormone replacement, you thyroid won't be making much in the way of hormone, if any. But the trauma will probably affect your conversion of T4 to T3. This is a safety device the body has to force you to rest while you recover, but if you were a good converter before the op, it will probably go back to normal eventually. If you're taking T3, then there's no problem.
I'm not taking any thyroid medication, I've not been diagnosed with anything (yet).
The blood loss was during the op. I was told to make a complaint afterwards because they took 30 minutes to bring the blood transfusion afterwards, so I was lay there for half an hour with about 1 litre of blood left in me 🙈
Now all of a sudden I've got all these health issues, and I'm convinced that massive haemorrhage has caused permanent damage, probably to my pituitary gland, hence the thyroid issues I have now.
I'm worrying things will get worse re: my thyroid. My body doesn't seem to handle trauma very well! Hopefully it's just my silly overthinking brain and it'll be fine 😅
Your brain is doing the appropriate amount of worrying because your medical team has previously demonstrated an inability to act in a manner that prevents catastrophe. Catastrophe waits around the next corner.
Your body needs thyroid hormone to recover from the trauma of the upcoming surgery. I would ask the surgery coordinator directly, “How will you support my body’s need for T3 to survive? My thyroid’s broken.”
I can tell you that in the States, in critical care situations, they administer huge doses of IV liothyronine to ensure the patient stays alive and goes home.
From what happened with your C-section and the exsanguination, these people need to be prepared for the worst case, and not approach your surgery with a lackadaisical attitude.
I have been in similar situations in surgery. The lack of attention to detail is shocking and only you can bark at the people ahead of the procedure. Especially the anesthesiologist just before they put you under. That’s the person who should be most responsible. Do not hesitate to bring a list of concerns with you on the day of the surgery. Show them pictures of your children. Whatever it takes for them to have their brains engaged.
I would thoroughly agree with your points Rocky. My cardiologist told me in no uncertain terms I need stents. However almost the very first paper I read said stents were a bad idea for my heart condition. There is no point in letting things so major to ourselves (ourselves) to trust these people any more than we must.
Oh, I didn't realise you didn't have a diagnosis. You talked about your Hashi's so I thought you did have.
So, how do you know you have Hashi's? When did you last have a full thyroid blood test? If you haven't had one recently I would get one done privately, if I were you, before the op, so you know exactly where your thyroid stands. Of course, a GP will not do a full panel, and you need both types of antibody tested, as well as FT3. And nutrients would be a good idea, too, make sure you have a good level of B12, because anesthetics can often deplete B12 causing all sorts of complications. That's what happened to me. And I saw a whole gaggle of doctors and not one of them knew about the B12! They just haven't got a clue. So, you need to be clued up about that.
Check out my last post (or 2!) I had a full blood panel done via MMH and the GP surgery in the last 2 weeks. T4 is low, tsh is dipping quite shockingly (see graph in my post from a few days ago) and vitamin levels aren't the best but I've immediately started back on b12 (Thorne brand) and I'm looking into heme iron for my Anemia.
I've got an appointment next week to try and persuade my GP to either prescribe me something for my thyroid due to the blood results I've had recently and symptoms.
I forgot to mention I've had positive TPO antibodies since last year hence the belief that I do have Hashimoto's. A scan 9 months ago showed slight inflammation on my thyroid gland and a cyst, but nobody was concerned about that 🤷🏻♀️
OK, so your do have Hashi's, and your FT4 is very low. But the problem is, your TSH does not reflect your low FT4, and that's all doctors tend to look at. They know nothing about the actual thyroid hormones.
So, it does appear you have Central Hypo/Sheehan's Syndrome/pituitary problem, but a GP would know nothing about that, either. They don't teach about it in med school because it's considered to be rare - and if you never look for something it does become rare! - so, they wouldn't recognise a case if it were to stare them in the face. If you want to get diagnosed, you have to learn all about your condition and teach your GP, because even with the Hashi's your TSH is not going to rise high enough to convince him there's a real problem. Ignorance rules! So, do you homework on Central Hypo before you go for you next appointment.
Your B12 isn't too bad but your folate is dire, and the two work together. So, if I were you, I'd get a good methylated B complex now and start taking it. It won't hurt your B12 to be a bit higher and your folate really needs to rise.
Your ferritin is also low, but I'm sure you know about that.
The condition you describe is Sheehan's syndrome, massive blood loss after or during childbirth can cause catastrophic damage to the pituitary gland. I haemhorraged after my second son was born as due to having pre eclampsia in my first pregnancy I was put on low dose aspirin.
Although it prevented pre eclampsia it caused me to lose a lot of blood, then 4 weeks later I had another one due to retained placenta. My hypo isnt autoimmune so I've often wondered if something got damaged elsewhere. A lot of my health issues started around that time.
I would agree with getting vitamin levels optimal pre op to ensure the best chances post .. Also bear in mind that B12 is depleted with anaesthesia so be sure to get that in after to ensure good recovery . Good luck, hope all goes well !
Just an aside but I think pelvic prolapse could itself be a result of thyroid issues.
Haemorrhage itself could too but of course no-one is looking, because this is common in childbearing women. It’s on a completely different plain so belongs in a different ‘department’.
Haemorrhage can cause problems to the thyroid itsel (chances are the pytuitary too).
Some time ago I found a paper which said tonsillectomy in children damaged the thyroid through massive blood loss. It’s a very bloody operation.
Before the op they should do a full blood test which will include the thyroid. The should also do a heart check. If the surgeon sees thyroid levels are below the ranges, he may refuse to operate. You should also meet the surgeon before the op, which is your chance to tell him your concerns.
The hospital have already done my bloods, about a month ago, and apparently everything was fine 🤦🏻♀️ My private bloods and GP results beg to differ.....
I ask this because I'm pretty sure the massive blood loss (3.8 litres to be exact) and the whole trauma I had with my emergency C-section nearly 2 years ago is what triggered off my thyroid/autoimmune issues.
If you plan to make a complaint about your treatment and the haemorrhage, please be aware that there is a time limit on making complaints. I think it is 3 years, but please do your own research because I'm definitely not positive of my facts.
Oh it's been done now. Made no difference obviously lol. I had a birth debrief to go over everything that happened, then made a complaint but all I got was a letter with excuses as a response. Gave up in the end. The whole thing left me with PTSD.
sorry to hear about your awful experience. I complained about my traumatic birth too and got the same invalidating excuses as a response. I also have PTSD but my physical health has been dire since having my son in 2021. I had prolapse repairs last October. I have Hashis, PoTS, histamine intolerance, chronic fatigue, chronic pain and bladder pain syndrome/chronic UTI, vaginal dryness. I’m sure my sex hormones are completely buggered but no one seems interested that I need to be on vaginal estrogen at 33 years old.
That’s a lot of blood - you are doing the right thing continuing to advocate for yourself. I’m extremely sick of being repeatedly dismissed by health professionals - I was also told all the above was just in my head/anxiety and ended up going privately for diagnoses. I know I’m fortunate to do so but it is so wrong that that is what people need to resort to. We desperately want a second child (it would have to be via elective c-section now) but feel all the above has stolen that and I feel bereft. I’m not sure if I could physically or mentally manage it. I had multiple prolapses repaired and a hole in my pelvic floor so took it very easily (not ideal with a toddler but my husband stepped up as much as possible around work). I was so nervous too but glad I got it done as I do feel better now. I didn’t go back to anything vigorous like Pilates/swimming for 3 months. I hope it goes well for you 😊
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Will a virus affect my blood test results?
Will my thyroid levels ever balance out?
Visit to Endo coming up - how to prepare
Facing thyroid surgery?
Is it my thyroid? 
