Should I have a Lobectomy or complete thyroidectomy?

[jeano22383]

I am having surgery on September 2nd because I have follicular lesion on the left lobe.  I am just curious if anyone recommends having a full thyroidectomy as opposed to just half?  I would like to prevent having this surgery twice if at all possible.  Does anyone have any recommendations, partial or full?

[juliva]

I had right TT only and I'm doing just fine! The reason for removal was because I had a nodule that began showing follicular cells that was placing me at a higher risk for cancer. I know they told me if the pathology report showed cancer then they would have to go back in and remove the other lobe but all was fine.. I'd like to think I got some of my own hormones kicking in now and then but I'm not sure of the benefits. LOl! However, I am grateful I do have a healthy left lobe!

[jeano22383]

Do you take Synthroid for an underactive thyroid without half of the gland??  I am jsut curious because I already have hypothryoidism so I already have to take the medicine... I guess I should have mentioned that, sorry!  I am glad it all worked out well for you!  THanks for the advice

[juliva]

I took thyroid medication before surgery 88mcg and it's been 10 months post op and I'm up to 125mcg... I think I'm pretty close to the dose I will be needing it's a slow process. Hope all goes well for you also! Juli

[ChitChatNine]

I went in for partial with the understanding if the frozen biopsy was cancer they'd do a TT ... there is always risk involved to do more surgery while in there around the vocal cords, etc. and the meds for life although keep in mind 20% (like me) end up on them anyway since the other side never works right again.

C~

[MANmom]

I wanted to keep my left side, they took out the right side due to three follicular lesions, they did not find cancer in the nodules, but they did in the thyroid tissue...Then I had to deal with "do I leave the other side with another nodule or take it out?"  Well I chose to take it out, too,  and they found a very large tumor there...you really never know.  All I can tell you is if you have good insurance and two surgeries are not too expensive, then maybe you should only have the lobectomy, it is worth trying to save the half if there is no cancer. The surgeries were not too bad, I had no complications and no pain, so I don't know what to tell you, only you can make that call...depending on your age and family history, you will have to choose.

[jeano22383]

I'm just curious about ages, because I have read different things that tell different stories.  Does anyone know what the chances are of this nodule being cancer since I am only 26?  I read somewhere that the chance is higher if you're less than 30 or over 50, and I read somewhere else that the chance is higher if you're less than 20... I'm a teacher and unfortunately have to miss the first day of school to have this surgery so I think I may have my entire thyroid taken just so that I don't risk having to have another surgery during the school year.