I have not had my thyroid removed but I am talking to my Endo at this time about it because I have nodules and hashi's. My endo advised me that I would need to be placed on synthetic hormone (synthroid) and the dose would vary based on my needs.
I might only remove my right side so in that case, I may or may not need to adjust my current dosage.
Are you getting the entire thyroid removed? Are you currently on any hormone medication?
If you don't mind me asking, why are you getting your thyroid removed? Were they able to diagnose the nodules as benign?
The nodule is benign and I would be having just the nodule removed from the right side of my thyroid. the endo I had discussed surgery with said that once anyone has thyroid surgery, they need to on meds for ever to balance out hormones.
I'm getting it removed for a few reasons, it's quite noticable, it's looks like an adams apple or a goiter, to avoid having to go back every year for a biopsy and it does make breathing hard sometimes, the cyst it filled with fluid and it feels heavy on my throat at night when I'm trying to sleep, I feel like I'm choking. I am also looking into hashi's, I'm going to request the tests because I want to know if I can rule it out. I'm currently on 0.05mg of synthroid, but my hormones were within normal range.
I'm in a similar situation to you. I was diagnosed as hypothyroid a couple of weeks ago after going to see my doctor with a lump in my throat. She seems to think it is a thyroglossal cyst, and I have been referred to a thyroid specialist next week. I have been advised that it will probably require surgery, and I'm a bit nervous, I can tell you...I have never had an operation in my life!!!!
After reading the stories on this site, I think my doctor has been great, getting me straight on to thyroxine and referring me right away - it sounds like some people go for years without a diagnosis. I'd love to hear how you get on - and likewise I'll let you know how I get on next week. Good luck!
Bec, I have had my thyroid removed due to thyroid cancer, I was started at 175 mcg of Synthroid and we adjusted frequently until we found the correct dose for me, now 212 mcg. When the pathology came back after my surgery, I also has Hashi's, which explained me feeling crappy for the 3 years prior to my thyca dx when they thought I was only hypo.
The dose of Synthroid you are given is usually first determined by a calculation that uses your weight. I'm not sure what it is, but after the initial dose it is adjusted by how you feel and all your thyroid levels.
If you have ANY questions about the surgery, ask away! I have pix from after all 3 of my surgeries and a few of the inside of my throat during my 2d surgery.
Take care,
Cynthia
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Thyroid Cancer Survivor since 09 April 2004
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I am so glad you started this thread - I hope you don't mind me jumping on it, but we are in a very similar situation!
Cynthia - thank you so much for sharing your experiences. We also have something in common - my DH is also in the military, but home in 50 days!!! It has been a long and lonely six months. I just hope they decide to operate after he is home...he is worried sick about me, and I really need him right now.
mommavia, how was it determined that you had hashi's? I'm going to request an ultrasound if it wasn't already looked for on the last one and bloodwork to test antibodies. I don't know what else I'm supposed to ask for. The last endo sort of brushed me off. I do know that the nodule is benign. In terms of hormone levels, TSH and T3 and T4 were within normal range. I have read that even levels are within normal range, even if they're slightly higer or lower than they need to be it can be enough to cause a problem.
If you don't mind me asking, what type of thyroid cancer did you have? I have hashi and my nodules have been diagnosised as follicular. The only way to determine that whether or not the nodules are benign is surgery.
I am really scared.
Did you feel better after your surgery? What was your recovery time frame?
Hey Im kinda new here, but recently (in june) went thru thyroid surgery. My thyroid doubled in size in three months and since it was fast growing (and sticking out of my neck), they decided to biopsy (which came back suspicous). I had my thyroid completely removed (was orignally told they would remove half, biopsy while i was under to see if they needed to remove it all, but it was unlikely), but was told no cancer. Im on synthroid, but i actually liked levoxyl better when i got out of the hospital, but was told synthroid was better (batches more consistent).
I dont mean to scare you, but my experience wasnt the best, I love my doc and surgeon, but I was in a LOT of pain and had to ask for morphine repeatedly. I dont know if they do different types thyroid surgery, but i was slit from one side of my neck to the other, but its healing really nicely. If possible ask to be put on a morphine drip, I wasnt put on one because I was having problems keeping my blood pressure in normal ranges (it plumetted after surgery). I woke up crying from the pain and cried several times that day, just because it hurt (i have a high pain tolerance too). I got shots every four hours, but only if i asked and they kept putting them around the same spot on my arm. I couldnt eat food for the first day at all and they (hospital staff) forced apple juice and broth on me- which i couldnt handle swallowing. I didnt eat solid food for 4 days, my throat hurt so badly.
If possible, ask for a private room, i shared a room with elderly women with mental problems, not a great experience right there, but that was just bad luck.
I took off a week and a half from work (my surgeon suggested a min of 2 wks- believe them), I came back too early. Be prepared to look like frankenstein for a couple days and to be swollen and numb, AND not being able to drive for a week (until you can turn your head). Its now Nov, and I still am not completely back to normal (my neck is still numbish in certain places and still aches). They are still adjusting my meds, I was told beforehand though that it was a process and could take a while.
I really dont mean to scare you, but i dont want to sugar coat what happened, good luck!!
i am currently on 150 of synthroid (blue pill), i was on the teal pill (135?). I think for two weeks after surgery i was on 125 of generic. I just got my most recent bloodwork back and was told im still hypothroid, so they upped the dosage to 150. On the teal pill (which i think was 135) I was having horrible side effects, really jittery/fast heart beat, so it kind of scares me a little that they upped it.
Also, I was told to take calicum for the rest of my life (and i was told to take massive amounts for two weeks after surgery- by my surgeon). My grandmother had her thyroid removed when she was my age (22) because of cancer and never took calicium, its definately needed. Make sure you ask a ton of questions about foods/supplements that cant be taken with synthroid, I was taking my pill with soy milk in the mornings and found out that wasnt the brightest move.
Sorry it's been so long for me to reply...it's been a crazy couple weeks in my house. I had to send a Red cross Message to get DH home from Afghanistan. I had a biopsy of a lymph node in my neck on the 23rd that came back positive for cancer. They are fairly certain it is thyca, but there wasn't enough material in the biopsy to run more tests. I'll find out more after my surgery on Monday. Glad to have DH home despite the circumstances.
I had papiallry thyca, but it was a VERY unusual case. It spread into lymph nodes in my neck and chest...very uncommon for pap thyca to do. I had a total of 3 surgeries. The easiest was the first which was a thyroidectomy. They made a small incision, about 5 inches, at the base of my neck in a natural skin crease. I stayed out from work for 2 weeks since I was a PE teacher at the time. I was very cautious about driving, I wanted to be able to turn all the way around before I would drive. I was ready 3 weeks post-op. A thyroidectomy is the norm for thyroid surgery. It is very unusual if physical therapy is required after this type. My Hashi's was discovered during the testing of all the tissues removed from surgery #1. I think my doctors said it looked mushy.
My 2d and 3rd surgeries were very difficult. I had bilateral neck dissections both time, they cut from ear to ear making a big smile on my neck (even on my bad days I'm still smiling!). The 3rd was very long and invasive, and I was in PT for 4 and 1/2 months. I highly reccommend PT after a bilat. I required it after my 2d, but for only about 2 months. I didn't drive for about a month after both of these...I am fairly certain it was closer to 6 weeks after my 3rd. I hurt bad after that one.
After they finally got my Synthroid dose correct I felt much better after the first 2 surgeries (they were in May and July of 2003, #3 was Nov 2004).
On Monday they will be unzipping the left side of my neck to go after 6 spots, 1 of which is a lymph node. We don't know what the other 5 are, but they shouldn't be in there!
Pixie, you can always send a Red Cross Message to get hubby home. There is no shame in requesting to have your hubby by your side. I've done it 3 times now...seems like everytime he deploys I get cancer...hmmmmmm.
Michele, do not be afraid. Talk to you doctors. Tell them your fears and concerns. If you do not get what you need from them, get a second opinion. I have found it crucial to have doctors I can trust and talk to. If they won't answer my questions, they I will not work with them. I need to be comforted and made to feel like I am their only patient, I am the most important. I don't think that is too much to ask...especially when my life will be in their hands. Hang in there!
Cynthia
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Thyroid Cancer Survivor since 09 April 2004
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Wow Cynthia, you are really going through it right now, and yet you seem so brave. Has your hubby managed to get back? Mine is in the Navy, so is currently on a ship and it's really hard for him to get home. However, they have said that if I am going to have surgery in the next month, they will get him on a flight. I am still waiting for my biopsy results, and in the meantime am really not feeling great - I don't think they have got my meds quite right yet.
Keep strong, and fingers crossed that everything turns out OK for you.
Hubby was able to get home just over a week ago. This is the 3rd of 3 deployments that I have had to send a Red Cross Message for...everytime he's deployed I have either gotten cancer or found out that I needed more surgery...so for the time being I'm blaming the military for this!
I've been having mostly good days since finding out, but now that surgery is less than 48 hours away I am starting to really flip out...my fourth surgery, this is just ridiculous! I know I'll make it through...I've got unfinished business with Congress about a cure for cancer and my sweet son to raise!
Cynthia
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Proud Mom of DS (3 yrs) born in Korea AND
DS2 (17 mo) waiting for us in Korea! (traveling June 10!!)
Thyroid Cancer Survivor since 09 April 2004
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~Winston Churchill
I am also a thyroid cancer survivor. I had my whole thyroid out in Aug. 2002. I had a very aggressive and also unusual case that spread to my lymph nodes. I was told that if it wasn't found (which was found by mistake) that I would have been dead in a year. I currently have bloodwork every 3 months to make sure nothing comes back and have to have another body scan in a year (5yr scan) I am now currently on 300mcg of levoxyl although, my levels have never been normal, they are all over the place and I have been as high as 350mcg. I am doing ok now, and am monitored much more because I am currently pregnant with twins (21wks) and everything so far is good!
__________________ thryoid cancer survivor
First IVF cycle dropped
2nd IVF cycle- BFN
Fet cycle-BFN
3rd IVF Ret. 6/21/06, Transfer 6/24 BFP!
7/10 Beta 715 7/17 Beta 8772
1st ultrasound 7/24 TWINS
WELCOME CHRISTIAN AND SARAH!
BORN 2/26/07 c-section!! My dreams have come true
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has anyone had thyroid surgery? 
