Full or Partial Thyroidectomy?

[JillyBean01]

HI everyone,
I am 28 and this is my first experience with a  thyroid problem. I don't have hypothyroidism but will need partial or whole thyroidectomy because of cancerous nodules.  I am not sure as to which one to choose yet (full or partial removal) and asking for some help with pros and cons for each surgery. The nodules are only on my right side.
Thanks!

[gimel]

Of course you will need to make a decision that you feel comfortable with.  To help with that I wanted to give you  some things to think about and discuss with the doctor.  First, how can the doctor be completely confident that the cancer is contained on only one side of the gland?  Second, what is the advantage to removing only 1/2 of the gland:  possibly not having to take thyroid med?  I think that the likelihood of 1/2 of the gland being able to produce the same amount of thyroid as produced by the whole gland, and that you need to feel well, is questionable.   So, even if you choose to remove only 1/2, it would be most likely that you need to take thyroid med anyway, to make up for the loss of thyroid hormone output.  So with a TT you would only be taking more thyroid med daily.  Having had thyca once, what is the probability of a recurrence  with 1/2 of the gland left in place?