Tremors after Total Thyroid Removal

[moosey619]

I am a 32 year old female who just underwent total thyroid removal after the surgeon found out that my nodule was cancerous.  
I didn't have to do the radio active iodine, but I have been on Synthroid starting 4 weeks after surgery. Post Operation I was shakey and felt like I had tremors through my body, they found that my calcium was low so I was taking calcium supplements for about 6 weeks.  I no longer have to take calcium since my levels are back to normal but I still get real shakey.  It starts around 2:00 in the afternoon and sometimes later and tends to get worse as the evening goes on.  The only thing that will relieve my body tremors is xanax.  I know my TSH levels are still high- I believe they were at an 11, 6 weeks ago, and I have to go back in soon to get the retested.

I was curious if you know what could be causing my tremors?  My high TSH levels? Post Traumatic Stress? A reaction to Synthroid ( I tried the generic version and I felt tired more so than I do when I take the Synthroid so I switched back to Synthroid. )
My body tremors feel like I am shaking inside.  You can''t see me shaking but if you held on to any limb of mine you could feel me shaking most of the time.  I am nervous that this may never go away.  Is there anything I can do or just wait it out?  

Thanks

Carissa

[gimel]

Please tell us about symptoms he is having.  When was her surgery?  What thyroid med and dosage is she on now?  If tested since surgery, please post thyroid related test results and reference ranges shown on the lab report.  

[Heidi168]

It's been 4 years for me comes September. I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, graves disease and thyroid cancer after being misdiagnosed and put on synthroid for hypothyroid and it causing me to go into thyroid storm and was had almost died. I have gone into thyroid storm twice before having my thyroidectomy and then finding i had 2 types of cancer and it had spread outside the thyroid. I underwent radiation and chemotherapy and still to this day have trouble with tremors. I had a stroke in May 2014. I'm young and not overweight but have severe hypertension. It's crazy. I totally wish I could figure out the tremors. You just feel weird because it's like you could mix a gal of paint just holding it. People look at you strange like you going though DT's. I really hate it. It's very humiliating. My father has Parkinson's. So I know what he feels when he shakes.

[hgioo]

5 days post TT and feeling the same unexplained tremors. calcium never dropped in hospital and all paraTs were left intact after surgery, plus I'm taking a megadose of calcium + calcitriol until I have my f/u bloodwork tomorrow at the endo. have not started any thyroid meds b/c we're waiting for the pathology on my nodules. i was only mildly hypo prior to surgery. it's the strangest feeling. the only thing i can liken it to is anxiety, but it actually makes me more anxious, because I don't know how I'm going to go back to normal life (work, etc) feeling this way!

good to hear it hasn't been calcium for anyone else, I guess I'll just have to ride it out.

[thomasmagnum7]

Hello, have any of these cases been resolved? my wife is experiencing same thing after thyroid removal.

Thanks,

[gimel]

Don't just request it, insist on it and don't take no for an answer.  It is too important to just let the doctor do otherwise.  Also, make sure it is Free T3 and Free T4, which are the biologically active portion of Total T3 and Total T4.  The Totals don't reveal nearly as much info on your thyroid status, so insist on Free T3 and Free T4.  I would even make sure the lab people know that you are to be tested for the Frees, not the Totals.  You'd be amazed at how often they operate on auto pilot and do the same tests they always run, which is not the Frees.  

[Paus]

gimel, Yes you mentioned it. That's helps a lot, Either this nov. or dec. another lab-test for my TSH,but i want  to request to my endoc to test my T3 & T4 too. my condition for now is normal only lite negative reaction.

[gimel]

I'm sure that I have mentioned before that just because your lab tests are in the so-called "normal" ranges does not mean that is adequate for you.  The ranges are far too broad.  Many of our members report that symptom relief for them required that Free T3 was adjusted into the upper third of the range and Free T4 adjusted to around the midpoint of its range.

Which reminds me that the last I remember you were going to get tested for Free T3 and Free T4.  Did that ever happen?  If so, please post test results and reference ranges shown on the lab report and members will be glad to comment on the adequacy of your testing and treatment.

[Paus]

I experience all that, shaking hands,foot, sometimes my head & my body feels shaking inside.  like tremor.
my lab-test are all normal,  & i am worried about my adverb reaction is this a side effect or too much high dose, I take 150mcg (thyrax).

[sherri22]

i am 9weeks post op TT. ihave the  tremors and  muscle twitches sporadically allover.     labs are good as of 2 weeks ago. not sure what is going on. PTH was normal.all were saved. thyroid ca.

does this go away the further along i get past the surgery......I am a nurse and cant use my hands steadily anymore. thanks sherri

[moosey619]

My doctors told me that the surgery was such a shock on my body that time would eventually lead to feeling better.  It took me about 6 months for me to feel better (the tremors finally settling down and me feeling better overall).  Once in awhile I can still feel shaking throughout my body.  Usually when I am tired.  
I don't know about you but it took me 2-3 months before I could talk again.  My right vocal cord wasn't working but it finally decided to.  

I hope you are doing well.

Carissa

[kl42]

same here , had tt nov 20  still having slight tremors in my hands chest. and also i think its afecting my heart rythym. it has been improving, calmer at night, but i know what your saying i feel like im shaking inside, you notice when your sitting, or trying to sleep, feel it my legs also, doctors said i have to give my body time to adjust, that the father away from the surgurey the better it will get. so far they been right but its slow, going for retest in another week. stilltired i think im still hypo only on meds 4 weeks. , which is why do you feel this still if your hypo?  it was much worse when i was hyper.  feeel better Kevin

[mags59]

I saw my Endo yesterday and unfortunately for me, I'm still hyperT.  He said when you have thyroid surgery, the thyroid releases all of its hormones into the bloodstream and it can take several weeks for your body to expel them.  I'm hoping that mine get expelled real soon, I can't take the tremors and the tachycardia much longer.  He's also testing my calcium levels as well (I have to go for the bloodwork tomorrow), so it could possibly be from that too.  I do wonder, however, if it's not also from the trauma of having surgery.  I think whenever they open you up, it really traumatizes your system.  I know when I had a hysterectomy, I had all kinds of problems for months afterwards.

[moosey619]

Sorry for not clarifying.  I know I can be a bit cofusing and not spit out (type) the correct words.

My Parathyroids - which produce calcium and are attached to your thyroid- were left in tact - I still have them.  None were left on my thyroid when they removed my entire thyroid - meaning they picked them off or detached them from the thyroid before they removed my thyroid.  Therefore, they (parathyroids) are still in my body producing calcium like they are supposed to.  They were in shock at first and not producing calcium like they were suppossed to and now they are.

[stella5349]

I don't understand what you meant by :

They said all my parathyroids were in tact and none were left behind on my thyroid

You are sayint two different things in my brain fogged head. They are in tact being they are there? -

and none were left behind - which says to me - you have none - which would be death. You need one still left to live.

CAn you help me understand?

[moosey619]

Thanks for your input.  It makes me feel better that I am not the only one going through this although Idon't wish this feeling on anyone.

Mags - I hope you are doing okay .  Please keep me posted as well

[laura1967]

I started getting tremors really bad and went to a new internist who tested my free t3 levels to check for conversion problem. My t3 level was low and she told me that is why i was getting tremors and joint pain. As soon as I started armour the tremors and joint pain went away. It starts to come back when I need a dosage increase. You might as dr to test your free t3..........conversion problems are common in women especially over 40.

[mags59]

I really wonder sometimes if endos go to medical school.  From what I hear from a lot of people, their primary care dr was better at diagnosing and treating them than their endo.  Like you said, they just stare at you like you're the first person to ever have these kinds of symptoms.  I'll let you know what mine says (if anything useful!).  Keep in touch.

[moosey619]

They said all my parathyroids were in tact and none were left behind on my thyroid.  I see my endo in late September but I hate waiting like this.  

Mags59 - let me know what your endo says.  Everytime I try to tell my doctors I feel like this they just stare at me and tell me hmmm maybe we should wait until the meds kick in.  

Thanks for your input Stella

[mags59]

I'm just 5 days' post-op for partial thyroidectomy, and I feel exactly the same way.  I'm shaking all over and it really has me down.  I was hyper prior to surgery, and it feels like I still am only moreso.  I haven't gotten my levels checked yet (calling endo today to see when that will be done since I can't function like this).  My heart goes out to you because I can sympathize totally.  I hope it stops for you; do what Stella says and get your parathyroid function tested.  (BTW, I had two parathyroids removed as well).

[stella5349]

HAs there been a full check on your parathyroids to make sure no damage was done at the time of the TT?

Ususally hypo TSH levels do not cause tremors - Hyper levels whether naturally or medically induced with meds may do this.

Your TSH levels show hypo.

I would get a PTH level test.