worried about thyroid.

The topic area above is not what I want to discuss.

I have had an underactive thyroid Since at least 1997 or possibly a few years earlier than that, I can't remember the exact year. I'm on synthroid/levoxyl, etc., but I'm always still slow, tired, sluggish, overweight and very hard to lose weight. I want to know if it is at all possible to get a thyroid gland removed if possible. Why have it, if it doesn't work properly? If anyone can help or offer advice, that would be great. I've heard that people can get thyroid surgery.

[Photojourn]

I have been going through both of what you are going through. I too have a painful ovarian cyst on my left side. Sitting, walking a long time or having sex is all very painful in addition to it just aching all the time. Somedays are better than others. Somedays it aches, other days it really hurts like someone is stabbing me.

I also have an underactive thyroid, along with having non-cancerous small tumors on it. Are your Doctors checking your thyroid levels everyother month to make sure your levels are right? Mine is adjusted every few months. I also take vitamins on a regular basis to help with energy. I also had an underlying problem, a vitamin D deficiancy that was also causing my exhaustion.  Have  those things checked before looking in to having your thyroid removed. I dont know how old you are but if you are under 50 then removing it can cause you to go into early menopause.

There are also other causes of sluggishness like depression, and your body can be feeling that by your sadness of being in pain so much.

I really really do know how you feel. Im in the same boat. I am seeing my ob/gyn on the 12th to discuss my pain further.

[rmarie]

If they remove your thyroid gland you will still need thyroid hormone supplement, or not be able to get out of any chair.  Thyroid hormone is essential to life, it regulates metabolism.  You may consider having a full physical with an internist, the problems you are complaining of can be from a number of different things, not just a ovarian cyst.  As the previous post suggestion depression could contribute, as could your weight causing back problems.  Go to a family practice or internist and have a full physical.  

[Nicki1433]

Doctors often remove a thyroid if they cannot control it.  You will want to see an endocrinologist.  

I have had my thyroid removed b/c of thyroid cancer and if you look on the thyroid board there are many women on there that have had their thyroids removed for that reason and many other reasons.  Have you had your thyroid levels checked recently?  

Also, your thyroid can contribute to ovarian cysts and other menstrual problems.  I would DEFINITELY see an endocrinologist!!!

Good luck!  I would also suggest at least browsing on the thyroid board.  There is a really great group of women on there who will over advise and encouragement and that have either been where you are (emotionally and physically) or are there currently!

Nicki

[freshair]

Do you have ovarian cancer?

I think you are crazy to want to have your thyroid out. So if another part of your body is bothering you, are you wanting to remove that also. If you had thyroid cancer and your doctor advised surgery then yes. I've heard we are a disposable society, but, please not with good body parts. Your thyroid is not causing the problem. It is malfunctioning of it and that is why we up the thyroid medication if need be after thyroid tests. Have your doctor run a good test and all your functions and also be evaluated for depression if the thyroid counts are good. And see a nutritionist that will guide you in the energy foods and the energy zappers. Good luck.

[nopooh]

Hi, I recently had a total thyroidectomy.  I had several nodules and a biopsy came back that the physicians thought was cancerous.  Without large doses of Synthroid I am useless now.  I did not have cancer but they found I had severe Hashimotos Thyroiditis which caused alot of pain when I swallowed.  If I had known the nodules were not cancerous I would not have had the surgery.  I am dependant on Synthroid for the rest of my life and it has taken almost a year to finally regulate my dosage.  I have a horrible scar that is very visible.  Some people don't scar as badly.  I'm no doctor but you should discuss this with a good endocrinologist and work to get your Thyroid medications at a dose that works for you.  Some individuals need Armor Thyroid which combines both T3 and T4 hormones instead of the Synthroid.  

I also found that the little bit of hormone my thyroid was still producing kept me from having a host of unusal symptoms that have manifested post surgery.

I hope this can help you make an informed decision.  I would proceed with caution.