Could I be hypothyroid? Hi, I went to docs 7 years ago with various symptoms, now I have a bad nodule & have to have half thyroid out. Tests 'normal'.

Symptoms - tired, wake up panicky, can't sleep, numb pins needles, arm pain weakness. head, neck shoulder ache.

[Hidden]

Hi - I'm new here, and to thyroid problems. Anyone had half their thyroid out? I thought symptoms were due to my extra neck ribs & nerve compression. Seems like there is confusion over blood test range - is TSH supposed to be max 3.5? I think I'll ask for the actual test results, thanks. BTW anyone lost their sense of smell/taste?

[Chippysue in reply to Hidden]

There are several people who are hypothyroid but their blood test results fall into the lab range which is probably what has happened to yourself.

Why are they just removing part of your thyroid? You can get a lot of information when googling thyroidectomy but hopefully someone who has experienced it will answer any questions you may have.

Let us know your results and the lab ranges

[trixie]

Hi, I've had half my thyroid removed for same reasons, 11 years ago. The reason for only removing half is because there's a chance that the half they leave in will do the same job as the whole thyroid and you might not need medication. When I had my partial thyroidectomy I was underactive but thankfully I went to a chiropractor and I took a natural homeopathic thyroid pill for a couple of months and my symptoms disappeared. I occasionaly need to take them for a couple of weeks and they work well. GP's will tell you tests are normal but they might not be normal for you. Unfortunately not many GP's will ask about your symptoms. Good Luck!

[Annamaria]

i had a subtotal thyroidectomy in 1990 the surgeon left a tiny bit in and i did not go on any medication, i was diagnosed with hypothryoidism a couple of months ago and am now on thyroxene.

[Hidden in reply to Annamaria]

Hi guys

Thank you so much for your replies - it means so much to know I'm not alone in this.....

Trixie - I would be really interested in the natural homeopathic pill.

Suze, I'm having half thyroid out due to 'bad cells' after the FNA biopsy - 'risk of malignancy'. I'm hoping that the symptoms, aches, tiredness etc. go after the op (but I'm kidding myself I think.) Doc said it's like having one kidney 'it will compensate'.

Annamaria - I'm gladyou were OK for 10 years.

Jane x

[sallyann in reply to Annamaria]

hi spare ribs....i had the same op about 5 years ago and i hav to say at first i felt great...they took my right side out because of a lump which turned out to be..in docs words just an overgrowth of normal thyroid.....which was a relief because like u a needle biopsy had not been conclusive....now is a different matter...the left side has grown to compensate as i was told it would but it is now causing me swallowing problems that the gp says must be in my head....as r all the symptoms of underactive thyroid......because my bloods r satisfactory....mmm......not to me they r not.....apparently im depressed....(hav done 6 months of intense counceliing...my councellor says im not depressed)....but if i was a good girl and lost some weight....try taking up swimming id feel much better........wonder wot u get for murdering ur gp theses days.......if only i had the energy he he.......