Had Surgery 2 weeks ago

[kamvick]

I had my surgery on August 6 with the Dr. removing my entire thyroid a goiter he said that was about 3 times the normal size. He also had to remove 1 of my parathyroid glands also and left 3 behind. I have to go back to the endocronologist on next week to see what type of thyroid meds I will be needing. What type of meds are out there for this or do you really need them after the surgery???

[Thypatient]

Sounds good all around.  That's great that you take care of yourself so well.  I try to do the same.  This whole TT thing has thrown a little bit a wrench into things, but that's okay.  It's not been enough, so far, that I get really thrown off but it's enough to keep me staying close to a support system and information.

I wish you continued wellness.  Keep in touch.

[kamvick]

Well I went to my Endocronologist today. He checked out my incision and said it's healing fine but still tender and a little swollen, which is normal, and the has prescribed me the generic version of Synthroid which is Levothroxin 100mcg.  He said to take it as prescribed and if I get to having a racing heart and stuff to give him a call and he'll adjust accordingly but wants to see me back in 2 months. I know my body well so anything that goes on whacky, I would call anyway.  Hopefully I might not need too much more adjustments, I pray it won't take long to get it just right. Anyway, he says I'm doing fine. I got a copy of my paperwork from the Surgeon about the surgery itself and his assessment and I will fax that to my family Dr. so she can keep it in my records there. Hopefully I will start feeling better once this medicine kicks in. I have to take it on an empty stomach too. Thanks for your input and concerns. I love WW. It's good for me. Hopefully I can get the other 35 lbs off me I'm trying to get off. My Dr. says that losing 5-6 lbs a month is good and normal and it will stay off.

[Thypatient]

Perhaps I should have said, 'I’d put aside any wanting-only-to-help-suggestions pertaining to iodine as a therapy,' as I understand you're not doing that.  Anyway...

Hope the dr visit goes well and you get the proper med and all the info on it that you need.  At least you're already familiar with Synthroid.  Keep us posted.

I think WW is a good program.

[kamvick]

I didn't get my pathology report back but the surgeon told me no cancer and the nodule I had on my thyroid was benign, I had a biopsy first and then I had lots of blood work prior to this.  I am not taking anything with iodine in it at all, someone just said that you need that from the thyroid.  I just have 2 more days before going to the Dr. so I think I will be just fine until then.  I wouldn't take anything without the Drs. consent especially since I'm just 2 1/2 weeks post op.  Thanks so much for all the answers.  I took Snythroid years ago when I was diagnosed as hypothyroid after taking tapazole for a month when I was hyperthyroid. It's been up and down for me so right now I am okay. Like I said I just don't want to gain weight. I had just lost almost 50 lbs on WW and I'm wanting to keep losing. I will stay away from sugar and carbs until I see the Dr. too. Have a blessed day and I'll post again after I come from my Drs. appt on Thursday.

[Devrie21]

Your tiredness is probably the lack of medication.  Once you have had a TT, you do need something to replace what you just lost.  Without your Thyroid, your natural production of iodine is no longer there.  With no meds, you can be hypothyroid, which can lead to weight gain.   I am on Synthyroid (.125) and Vitamin D.  I had my TT 17 yrs ago.  Your Dr. will tell you exactly what you are in need of.  Best of luck!

[Thypatient]

Congratulations on getting through this surgery!

Did you get back your post-surgery pathology report yet?  May I ask, was your thyroid benign?

Personally, I wouldn’t take anything that the dr and/or surgeon doesn’t already know about and approve of.  Also, for where you’re at, I’d put aside anything pertaining to iodine as a therapy.

If you really continue to not feel well between now and your appt., call the dr and ask if you can get in any earlier.  Since you just had surgery it wouldn’t be an unreasonable request.

Good luck.

[kamvick]

Thanks so much for all the comments. I will let my Dr. know. HE has been working with me since 1999 so he knows my long history with my thyroid. I take blood pressure meds and I use the Vivelle dot patch for the hysterectomy that I had last year, and I am also taking a multivitamin for that and taking this new Stem Cell enhance supplement.  I just started that last week. I will let him know that and I will let you guys know what meds I will be  on.

[KelDC]

Yes, you absolutely need thyroid medicine after a thyroid removal. Your body no longer is making thyroid hormones, so you must take the pills. There are many different types and brands of medicines out there. You can discuss them with your doctor and see what is best for you.  I had my thyroid removed in April, and I faithfully pop my thyroid pill every day... I've only forgotten twice, which is good for me.  I feel great on them, I have to say.

If you haven't started your meds yet, that could explain your tiredness....you are hypothyroid, and fatigue is a common symptom. It will improve once you start your meds, but it takes weeks for the meds to build up in your system.  Also, it can take a while to find the dosage that is right for you......again, because it takes so long to build up in your system, they can only test you every 4-6 weeks.

Be sure to tell your doctor about any other supplements that you are taking so they can be sure they are not interfering with your thyroid meds.  

Best of luck to you!!

[kamvick]

I have tried sushi but it was making me sick to my stomach.  I haven't tried Kelp before. I will check into that. I just pray that my levels are okay and I don't need much but calcium. My husband and I have found a new supplement called Stem Cell Enhancement that supposingly helps you produce more adult stem cells to improve your health. His friend introduced us to it. The first few days of taking it just detoxifies your system and it can help a lot of health issues in your body. Look it up on the internet. I think it's fairly new. I have been taking those pills since Monday so they have been in my system 5 days now. I am hoping they make a difference as well.

[xoxo08]

I've heard that,too, about IODINE!  Do you like anything seaweed-ish, Kelp, or supplementary?

[kamvick]

I am feeling fine so far. Since it's just been 2 weeks I guess not taking anything is okay. I had already been taking a multivitamin because I had a TAH/BSO last July.  The Surgeon told me to take 4 tums 3 times a day and they were making me so sick to the stomach that I stopped taking them and have been drinking milk like crazy and eating yogurt with calcium in it. I am doing Weight Watchers too and have lost over 40+ lbs so I was already getting extra calcium. Anyway, I guess since the surgeon was only the surgeon and I have a separate Dr. I will find out next week what I need to do. I do have this funky little headaches every now and then and I also feel very drained and tired. My throat is a little sore today on one side on the inside, not where the incision is but otherwise I feel pretty good. I am back at work, this is my second day. I was just wondering about the meds since they sent me home not on anything. I didn't want my system all messed up because I was lacking something much needed. I work around a lot of scientists and one of them told me if I was getting adequate iodine that I might not need meds.

[Deborah34]

I had a TT on 8/6 and am on .75 of Synthroid but that will be going up.  Other than that I'm taking nothing but should probably be on calcium.

How are you feeling?

[lilypad300]

I had my surgery 2 days before you, I am taking .175 of synthroid and vitamin d and calcium.
other than that, i'm not taking any other meds, but i;m sure there are others who are taking other types of medication that may be able to give you more info.

how are you feeling?

be well!