the effects of removal of the thyroid

Guest · Guest

I just had a full thyroid removal on 4/24/08. I had 9 nodules and 4 of them were large, none were cancer. I have been on thyroid medication since 1985 (my sister and I found out the same week we had thyroid problems). So this was a big surprise to me. I feel 100% better than I did before the surgery. I am still tired, but not as exhausted as I was before surgery. I have lost weight and my appetite has gone down a lot. I still have the mood swing, but not as intense as before. I am 49 and pre-menopausal. I had minimal pain and did not have to take pain pills after the surgery. I still sound like I am in puberty as my voice cracks a lot. But that is getting better with time. Overall I am pleased with my surgery it really helped me.

nonimanu · Newbie Joined: 17 Jun 2008 Posts: 2

hi there!
i ve recently given birth to my first child. she is 3 months old after her birth my family phsician detected swelling in my throat got blood test done nothing was there then got ultra sound done. the result was tht i had lumps in my thyroid which are suspicious.now i am due for fine needle biopsy test. i am really scared wht i ve read and heard is tht with thyroid problem u cannt ve babies is it true. i am only 23 and i wish to ve many kids plz can someone help me and tell me is there any case tht got her thyroid removed and had children later on??? plz help me.

nreilly · Newbie Joined: 17 Jun 2008 Posts: 1

Okay - calm down - even if you have your thyroid removed (worse case scenario) you'll be put on thyroid medication to replace the hormones you'll lose having it removed. More than likely you've got little growths on your thyroid possibly because it is underactive. Are you tired - having a hard time losing weight?? Do you have dry skin? Is your hair possibly coarser than before? You can also get cold easily.

Don't worry too much about this - I had a little growth on mine and they started me on more thyroid medication and it shrunk.

You could also possibly be on the other end of the spectrum where you are producing too much - your symptoms would be the opposite - you'de be warmer than usual - little appetite - losing weight possibly - eyes hurt - you have alot of energy and then crash mid day. If that is the case - then they have to find a way to correct it - could be by doing the radioactive iodine and killing part of your thyroid or remove it.

Either way - you can still have kids - that will never be an issue. Don't stress over this.

I'm on thyroid meds - have two kids - and am doing fine.

Hang in there!!

jkimble · Newbie Joined: 24 Jun 2008 Posts: 1

HI everyone. Just wanted to say that I too have the symptoms that the majority of you have shared here. I began having problems with my thyroid around 1997. I developed a nodule at that time, which began to grow. None of the medication helped shrink this, it just kept growing and eventually I had two. I gave birth to my son Jan 06, six weeks later had to have a complete thyroidectomy because the nodules began to effect my voice and I had trouble swallowing and breathing.

I still have the same symptoms I did in early march 06. Sluggishness, pain, short temper...ect. I was wondering though if any of you other women out there have had severe problems with menstruation? I will go months without one then have a doosy. I was even put in the hospital at one point because they thought I was hemorrhaging. Anyone have any similar problems, or should I be looking at another cause?

I can say that my symptoms still persist now, even after upping my medication many times. I understand where each and every one of you are coming from and wish you all the best.

Oh and another note to the lady who just had the baby three months ago. I wouldn't consider the radiation therapy because I was told I couldn't be around my son for a few days, having a six week old baby and not being able to be with him wasn't an option for me. Discuss every option thoroughly with your doc before you decide! Good luck and congrats on the baby!

Guest · Guest

Hi everyone,
I am having a total thyroidectomy on July 4th. I am not currently on any meds as my thyroid is functioning normally. I have several nodules on both sides of my thyroid and my neck is huge. I have had these nodules since I was a teen. I am not worried about the surgery itself but after reading some of the posts I am really nervous of the after effects.

Guest · Guest

Hi everyone,

I have the same story as everyone. I am having my full thyroid removed on July 25th. My thyroid is functioning normally too, but my neck is huge, and I too have several nodules. I am kind of worried about the surgery, since I have never had surgery before. How long is everyone in the hospital? I have a 6 month old baby and just returned back to work from materity leave. I am wondering too... How much time did you need off work? After reading some of the storys I am worried too about the side effects. I feel fine right now, and hope to feel good after the surgery too. The few people I know who have had it done, have felt fine after surgery. Some have even said they felt better.

sallyfalconer · Newbie Joined: 05 Jul 2008 Posts: 1

Hiya fellow sufferers,
I had my thyroid out on Monday 30th June 08, although I had previously had a partial thyroidectomy in 2001, the lumps came back and the rest had to come out.
I was sent home after 3 days in hospital and the evening I came home felt like I was going to die. I was in a fever, dizzy, feeling sick, and very weak and thought I was going to pass out. My husband phoned the hospital who had just sent me home and they said perhaps I should phone my GP or go to accident and emergency. What a joke! I decided to take a calcuim tablet and a thyroxine tablet and hope for the best.
After 2 or 3 hours I felt a bit better, but I feel that I should not have been home so soon.
I have had a calcuim test done, yesterday, which was 2.3 so things are getting better.
My stitches come out on monday and I get the pathology on the lumps next thursday, so fingers crossed!
I have noted down some of the advice given and am grateful for finding this site.
Thanks to all.
Sally

Guest · Guest

hi i just had a total ,mon. july 7th, ugg you all have freaked me out, i am on synthroid and calcium as well, i will pray for the best, i refuse to get fat and depressed.its not an option, wished i found this site BEFORE i had my surgery, went in as subtotal ,woke up with a total. not feeling bad at all a little neck pain and tenederness is all, was in hosp. overnite, came home within 24 hrs. of surgery. no stitches ,glue, a good clean looking cut, alittle swelling, i had a great surgeon. concerned with the aftermath at this point. does ANYONE have any good news or incouraging words?!!

jodaycare · Newbie Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 9

Well, I had my surgery last Fri (July 4th) and so far so good. I was in hospital until Sun. My vocal cords are perfect although if I talk too much my voice gets a little weak. I actually spoke to my Mom on the phone a couple of hours after leaving the recovery room and she couldn't believe how good I sounded. My calcium levels are completely normal. I have minor tenderness and swelling at the incision site, there is also some tightness but extra strength tylenol relieves it. I have been gently stretching my neck several times a day. I feel great.

k34 · Newbie Joined: 10 Jul 2008 Posts: 1

i had my total thyroid removed 10 june and feel fine i have noticed i am a bit tired today but am pretty sure its due to eating pasta and bread last night.
i found as long as i eat "clean" i am fine.
i have started back on my cross trainer and and training again for a 5 km run in september.
maybe even do a 10 km after that.
eat well , not crap
be positive and stay away from the not so positive it is a easy hole to fall into.
i had a child pre thyroid, then while i was on ptu and now hoping to have another with out thyroid.
i was diagnosed with graves .

the effects of removal of the thyroid

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