Left lobectomy

[Alyson40]

I had a left lobectomy three weeks ago for a 4cm non-toxic nodule, benign. I was told by my surgeon that 80% of the population can function with only one thyroid lobe and no meds. My right lobe is healthy but one week after surgery, my THS spiked to 5.5. Before surgery, it was .9. I have been having hypo symptoms ever since. Am I to assume that I am in the minority. Is there a chance that my right lobe will eventually do the work for the missing half?  I was told by my surgeon's nurse that it would take at least 6 months to become hypo if the right side didn't produce enough hormones. Why did it only take me one week?

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

It is not uncommon to see a TSH increase in the first 4-6 weeks after a hemithyroidectomy as the remaining lobe is getting instructions from the pituitary that it needs to pull the entire weight.  If the symptoms are severe we would temporarily give a modest dose of levothyroxine such as 50 µg and then try to wean off the medication 6-8 weeks after surgery if possible.  You're right that 20-30% of people after hemithyroidectomy will need lifelong levothyroxine, these are typically patients who are TPO antibody positive.

[Alyson40]

Thank you for the answer. I am 3 weeks post op and am still having hypo symptoms but not to the extent that I was one week after surgery. I'm hoping less symptoms is an indication that the right side is starting to produce more hormones.

[Alyson40]

I had a left lobectomy three weeks ago for a 4cm non-toxic nodule, benign. I was told by my surgeon that 80% of the population can function with only one thyroid lobe and no meds. My right lobe is healthy but one week after surgery, my THS spiked to 5.5. Before surgery, it was .9. I have been having hypo symptoms ever since. Am I to assume that I am in the minority. Is there a chance that my right lobe will eventually do the work for the missing half?  I was told by my surgeon's nurse that it would take at least 6 months to become hypo if the right side didn't produce enough hormones. Why did it only take me one week?