Hyper to Hypo after Hemi Thyroidectomy

[RissK]

Hi all,A year ago my bloods picked up low TSH (0.01) and high T3 (7). This was monitored 3 monthly by my doctor with no change, I was then referred for ultrasound which picked up a suspicious 3.5cm nodule on the right side.

Was booked for surgery a month later and had a right hemi thyroidectomy.

First blood test 1 month after surgery has come back indicating hypothyroidism. High TSH (5.6) and low T4 (11.1).

Has anyone had experience with it settling to a normal level after a while or is it likely I will need to take thyroxine?

Still waiting to hear from Dr/Surgeon.

Also what vitamins/minerals do you recommend getting tested for to see if I'm lacking anything that may help.

Thanks in advance

[Rapunzel]

Hello Rissk and welcome to the forum. My understanding is a bit dodgy as I have common or garden Hashimotos. You will find lots to help by typing hemithyroidectomy into the search bar. Hopefully, you'll find some other thyroidies who have walked your path in similar moccasins...

Just to add, we're nearly all asleep 😴 atm in the UK and you might otherwise have a wait for some help here.

[RissK in reply to Rapunzel]

Thank you, I have searched but couldn't find anything exactly the same. Will wait to hear if anyone has had a similar experience. I will also update with what my Dr says when I hear back from them

[Rapunzel in reply to RissK]

In the meanwhile, complete as much of your profile page as you can. It all helps other members understand where you're at. What am I doing? It's 4 am here. Sorry you're hanging on for your medics to respond and hope you hear soon xx

[pennyannie]

Hello RissK and welcome to the forum :

Having lost half your thyroid I would imagine that you will now start to slowly experience symptoms of hypothyroidism and the logical next step is to considering taking some form of thyroid hormone replacement.

A fully functioning working thyroid would be supporting you on a daily basis with trace elements of T1. T2 and calcitonin + a measure of T3 at around 10 mcg + a measure of T4 at around 100 mg.

We generally all get started on the cheapest option synthetic T4 - Levothyroxine / Eltoxin/ Synthroid/ which is pro-hormone and needs to be converted in your body ito T3 which is the active hormone that runs the body.

No thyroid hormone replacement works well until your core strength vitamins and minerals are up and maintained at optimal levels -

so you need to know your ferritin folate, B12 and vitamin D readings and we can advise where best these need to sit within the ranges to optimise your health, well being and assist best in the utilisation and conversion of T4 into T3.

The TSH rises as a message that we need more thyroid hormones and lowers as thyroid hormones are started and then followed yp with further thyroid function test at a 6-8 week interval and slowly adjusted up or own by 25mcg x T4 daily to find a dose that suits you.

Once on any form of thyroid hormone replacement is suggested that the TSH is kept under 2 - with many of us feeling at our best when the TSH is down towards the bottom of its range with the T4 up in the top quadrant of its range with the T3 tracking just behind at around 70% through its range.

So without ranges it's difficult to quantify your TSH or T4 results -

but historically most ranges for TSH are 0..27-4.50 - so you can see that your TSH is too high and over that range -

and ranges for T4 do vary Laboratory to Laboratory but 11 looks low on most ranges we see - and as you've lost half your thyroid can't believe this is anywhere near top of any T4 range.

Hope that helps a bit when you wake up:

[jillyana]

I had half of my thyroid gland removed back in 2006. My TSH rose to 6.6 & my T4 went down to 7. I piled on 3 stone very quickly & felt really ill. I saw an endo. who said I was fine & didn't need Levo. I saw several GPs who said I still had half a thyroid & to go way & stop wasting their time. I actually felt as if I couldn't go on any longer. My life quality was extremely poor for several years until I found this site - I ended up purchasing NDT which turned my life around. Please ignore clueless GPs if your readings get bad - get help & don't waste years feeling extremely ill like I did! x