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Thyroidectomy for Graves Disease: Is it the right decision?

i was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism (Graves Disease) 3 months ago and i am currently taking meds to see if will 'correct itself'.  My doc says that it probably won't get better, as it was quite severe ,and I will need RAI.  I don't won't to have this i am only 33 and have an 18 month old child. Putting radiation into your body can't be a good thing in the long run.  I want to have a thyroidectomy but my doc is reluctant as i do not have a goitre.  She says it could be risky as could damage parathyroids and have problems regulating calcium.  Do the parathyroids always get damaged?  Hasn't any one had a happy ending after a thyroidectomy? I am so confused!!
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Avatar universal
Hi,

I had a total thyroidectomy a year ago and I now feel fantastic. My specialist recommended it as we were trying for children at the time and I didn't want to wait 18 months, etc. I did have serious calcium issues (hungry bone disease) following the op. which has taken 1 year to sort out. I will now be on thyroxine, calcium & vitamin D for life. However, I think its worth it. My graves was all over the place and even if they had killed off a bit of my thyroid, its so hard to get the correct dose of thyroxine. Now I only need to have my blood checked every 6 months and my weight is steady.
Good luck,
Max
Helpful - 0
175662 tn?1282213656
I have had Graves' Disease since 2004, all the doctors wanted to do the RAI.  However after hearing the results of some people having RAI and that they have had to have more than 1 treatment or had to have surgery anyway, I wanted the surgery myself.  I was off medications for about a year or so, and my Graves' Disease kinda mellowed out (I changed my diet and most of the symptoms eased), but it isn't any better and I still haven't had the surgery.  

If your doctor says she doesn't want to do the surgery get a 2nd opinion.
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Avatar universal
Yes...I am trying it now.
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Avatar universal
ih
Has anyone tried alternative med called Thyroid Throu?
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Avatar universal
ih
Has anyone tried Thyroid Throu?
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Avatar universal
Yeahhhhh!  A happy story. I am glad all worked well for you following your thyroidectomy op.  I was shocked to read that you stayed on the ATDs for so long. Did you not go into remission at all?  I am going to stick with ATDs for as long as i can, maybe I will go into remission!!! My doc says i have a 1in 4 chance of going into remission.  I live in England and here we have an National Health Service so our care is 'free' at point of delivery.  I think this is why my doc wants me to have RAI its the easiest and cheapest option for them.  Why were you against RAI?  
Take care . You have given me hope.  
Best wishes Mazzy
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Avatar universal
Thanks for your feedback it gave me great encouragement.  I had a look on the site re Graves treatment that you told me about.  Thank God someone who discusses alternatives to RAI!!  Its really given me hope and I will stick with the antithyroid meds for as long as I can to increase my chances of remission.  i wont let my doc bully me into having RAI .  What is it about docs and their desire to give patients RAI?  Do they see what it causes patients after a few years?  I am going with meds for now.  Thank you again so much for your comments.
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88793 tn?1290227177
Could anyone tell me if you leave your thyroid untreated for a long time, what will happen?  

Thanks for any comment.

Pika.
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Avatar universal
Here's a site with some info for you.

http://autoimmunedisease.suite101.com/article.cfm/TreatingGravesDisease

Also this is a forum where many of the participants are on anti-thyroid drugs as well as the other Graves treatments. It's very educational.

http://mediboard.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/150103281/m/141103422
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Avatar universal
Copy of post below.....
mazzy pazzy,
If you are opposed to RAI, why would you consider a thyroidectomy? Aren't you able to take the anti-thyroid medications. There are a couple of different ones available. Some people get complete remission with them without killing off their thyroid. Then go on to live a normal life with a working thyroid.
To me, the other two options are a permanent solution to what could be a temporary condition.
I had RAI a year ago & have come to greatly regret it. I don't know if I will ever feel completely well again.:-(
Please research your options. There are reasons to have a throidectomy ie: difficulty swallowing due to a large goiter,
cancer of the thyroid or suspecious nodules. But hyperthyroidism has other options without disabling your thyroid gland.
Just food for thought. God Bless,Jean
Helpful - 0
97953 tn?1440865392
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Surgery is not typically necessary for Graves.  Most patients do fine with surgery and only 1-2% have parathyroid damage or vocal cord injury.  Studies comparing long-term quality of life, etc after treatment for Graves with meds vs RAI vs surgery show no difference among the 3 treatment choices.  In my practice the main decision is between a trial of meds for 12-18 mos vs RAI -- if cannot control long-term after a course of meds then I-131 is a good option.  With simple precautions there is no risk to your child.
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Avatar universal
I had RAI 3+ years ago, and you are so right not to do it. Are the meds you're taking now helping? I've heard of people who stayed on the ATDs (Anti-thyroid drugs) for a couple of years and then ended up hypo, which is probably how you'll end up after surgery or after RAI anyway. Is there a big rush to decide? Take your time and do some research into all the options, including staying on meds for a longer period of time...

Best wishes
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi thanks for your comment.  The meds have helped suppress the overactivity of my thyroid.  My pulse was 145bpm i was losing so much weight that my clothes were hanging off me and i was very hyperactive AND paranoid. These symptoms appear to have settled down for now.  However meds carry a risk also as they can suppress your white blood cells, so I have regular checks especially if i have a fever or sore throat.  I am going to try and stay on the meds for as long as possible.  I know what ever I do I will most probably end up Hypo.  Trying to stay positive for now.  However I know my doc wants me to have RAI it'S cheaper and easier for them BUT WHAT ABOUT US???
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