Living without a Thyroid Gland

[sophiesudane]

Good afternoon. This is my 1st time on this site.  I had a total thyroidectomy 3 weeks ago.  They suspected cancer, but It ended up being benign.  Yeah.  

To back up a bit, I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism at the age of 22 and then figured out the cause of the hypothyroidism was Hashimoto Thyroiditis at the age of 28. Well, over the years nodules were found on both sides of my gland and were monitored. About 6 months ago during my annual exam they noticed my gland was extremely enlarged and my nodules were abnormally large. Well, we ran all the tests and did a needle biopsy. The report came back as suspicious. At that point I met with the surgeon and the rest is history.

I am pleased to be through the scare, but now need to find out about living without the gland.  Over the last 3 weeks I have found myself to be very weepy and emotional. I am also very tired during the day, but struggle to get a good nights rest. I have also woken up with the feeling of panic attacks. My guess is that my dosage is off. Right after the surgery they put me on the same dosage of thyroid replacement medicine (150 mcg) I was on prior to the surgery. I have 3 weeks to go until I have my levels tested.

So, I am 31 and struggling with all the chemical changes in my body.  Sometime I feel as if I am going crazy with all the emotional lows I have. I should be elated that I am cancer free and able to move on with life as normal. But I do not feel that way. Help.

Can anyone offer me tips on how to cope and any suggestions on a healthy lifestyle (diet/exercise) regimen I can incorporate into my life. Any idea of some the hurdles I might need to prepare myself and my loved ones for??

Thanks

[Brucergoldberg]

going on 5 years now.  still don't feel well.   Hope you are well.

[Fatgary3]

What is your symptoms

[pegster1958]

Wow Bruçe  i sure hope so.. My total thyroidectomy was Sept 2015.. Up 30 #s bloat mess... No cancer/ graves disease / lg. Nodules present I keep telling myself things have got to get better...not
Hong but stretch pants and shorts fit and over sized t shirts..

[pegster1958]

Wow Bruçe  i sure hope so.. My total thyroidectomy was Sept 2015.. Up 30 #s bloat mess... No cancer/ graves disease / lg. Nodules present I keep telling myself things have got to get better...not
Hong but stretch pants and shorts fit and over sized t shirts..

[LvMyWife]

After reading your comment and wiping the tears from my eyes, I feel compelled to tell you that I had my thyroid taken out 3 years ago and once the doctor got my Synthroid adjusted properly, I'm back to a normal life and doing everything I could before the operation! I haven't gained any weight and I haven't been depressed until reading your comment! As you read everyone's comments, remember that each of us have different problems so, not everything you read is because of removing one's thyroid! Have a long and prosperous life!

[gimel]

There is absolutely no need to be so concerned.  What you read on the Forum are stories from hypothyroid patients that don't have good thyroid doctors who understand how to test and treat hypothyroidism.  Now that you have found this Forum you can count on all the support you need and all the information you need to assure effective treatment.  So, in order for us to best help you we need some basic information from you.  

When was the TT done?   When did you start on the Synthroid?  What is your daily dosage of Synthroid?  Do you have any other symptoms besides depression?  If tested since the TT please post the results and their reference ranges shown on the lab report.  

As you proceed always keep in mind that a good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T4 and Free T3 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels.  Symptom relief should be all important, not just test results, and especially not TSH results.  If your doctor is unwilling to treat clinically as described, then we will help you find a good thyroid doctor, if you will tell us your location.  

[Hopeful195]

I am 20 years old and recently had my entire thyroid taken out because I had cancer. It has been a very stressful situation. I have felt depressed ever since I started synthroid. Reading what all these people have gone through gives me so much anxiety. I don't want to have to deal with depression, anxiety, fatigue and weight gain the rest of my life. I can't help but think it will not even be worth it to live if I will only be going through a struggle and suffering the rest of my life.