Thyroid Surgery

I am scheduled for thyroid surgery next month and I'm starting to panick about how my life will change after the surgery.  I need the surgery due to a follicular neoplasm on my left lobe.  I have recieved a second opinion at the Mayo Clinic, and they too agree that half the thyroid needs to be removed and tested for cancer.  The right lobe looks to have hashimoto's, so I am told that more than likely, after the surgery I will end up on hormones even if they don't take out the whole thyroid due to cancer.  I have been doing a lot of reading lately, and am freaking out about the weight gain and low engery levels most people experience after thyroid removal.  This will be a rude awaking for me, as I am a thin woman with a descent level of energy.  Please tell me that this is not usually the case.  I also am planning a trip of a lifetime this summer, (only a month and a half after surgery), and wonder if this is such a good idea.  any thoughts, please?

[At The End of My Rope]

Can you tell me if they told you if it is cancer that they will do a total instead of partial removal. Also did you have a FNA done

[Justicemom]

I had a TT on 2/14/07 for a benign huge multinodular goiter...I am feeling better than I have in a very long time.  I put on 20 lbs. in the last year due to the thyroid problems, but have been doing Weight Watchers the last 5 weeks and have lost 12lbs already...You can loose the weight if you try.  The surgery was the best thing...Anything is better than how I have felt over the last 18 months.  Good Luck with everything...





Multinodular Goiter 6/06
TT 2/14/07

100 Mcg. Synthroid

[mrshobbes]

Yes, I did have a FNA and that's how they determined the nodule was a follicular neoplasm.  They said they will take the nodule on my left side out and test it right then and there for cancer.  If it is cancer, the whole thing comes out along with the surrounding lympnodes.  If not cancer, I will still be left with hashimotos on the right, and eventually be left taking hormones.

[ChitChatNine]

I had atypical nodules on the right side .. so had partial in January.  Let me tell you .... my left side still isn't functioning and I'm on Synthroid for the long haul without choice ... Dr. Lupo on the Dr/Patient forum said 70% of the time the other side works just fine .. my other side was healthy as far as we know and never resumed working or maybe was never working right ?  Anyway, long story short .... my 2 nodules were totally benign but the final biopsy revealed 2 small areas of papillary cancer elsewhere in the removed gland.  So I'm on Synthroid anyway for cancer supression if there are any stray cells or activity on the side left intact.  Mine had no lymph node involvement and fully encapsulated so it wasn't 100% necessary to remove the other side .. we do ultrasounds ev. 6 mos.

On the 1.5mo later trip ..... you should be ok .. a bit toned down on the energy perhaps but should be ok I would think.  Took me about a month to feel halfway back to myself and 2 mos to feel better ... the weight gain .. wellllllllll I don't know what's going on with me ... I've gained about 5lbs since the surgery but a total of 25lbs in the past 1.5 yrs for no known reason ...

Cheryl  Synthroid 88mcgs ... TSH 1.1   ThyCa 1/07

[mrshobbes]

Thanks Justicemom for your encouraging words.  My only concern is that I am actually feeling pretty good.  Just a little tired.  So I really am not feeling any sypmptoms that would make me want to have surgery, except the fact that this nodule could be cancer.  I am afraid the cure will be worse than the disease.

[medhelpjunkie]

Your story is similar to mine!!!!  I was diagnosed with a follicular neoplasm on the left lobe back in January.  Nodule was found in December during annual physical.  What prompted me to call for the physical however was this overwhelming fatige and dpression that came over me during the late summer early fall of 06.  PCP treated things as seperate issue...one with depression medication the other with iron supp.  Sent me for sonogram and FNA.  For nodule.  During the fall Sep. to Dec I gained around three pounds...this is working out every day and eating well most of the time.  After the depression med...I gained 10 pounds in 2 months.  Went for surgery in Mar had 2/3 of thyroid removed...Frozen section found Hurthle cells in nodule but was fully encapsulated with no vascular invasion therefore, considered benign.  Also found tremendous number of antibodies...therefore I had Hashi also.  Have benn of synthroid and still wrking out the kinks on the level.  Energy seems to come and go... and so does the depression.  I got off the depression meds because I could not stand the weight gain  I am losing it but VERRRRRY slowly!!!!..  

I don't feel great like I use to but I don't feel as bad as I did back in the fall.  The hardest part is not knowing if it is going to be a good day or a bad day!!!!
Good luck with everything...Iknow how hard it is waiting and not knowing!!!

[artsyrose]

medhelp...how are you doing...? long time no post...haven't seen ya around...