What's "normal" TSH range post TT?

[SuzieQTT]

I am curious...my doctor told me that after TT that it will still be difficult to regulate my levels but not as difficult when my thyroid was going between hyper and hypo. She also said it could take some time to get there but she is willing to try just about anything to get me back to a "normal" life.  Other than an experience with low calcium levels causing numbness and tingling around my mouth, and fingers sending me to the ER for an IV of Calcium, I am feeling much better than before I had the surgery.

I know "normal range" is kind of a relative term but I don't have all the numbers that I need to put the pieces of this puzzle together.  Anybody have the info?
Thanks,
Suzie

[SuzieQTT]

My thyroid was removed because it was so large that it was wrapping around my windpipe and causing a problem with my nerves and arteries in my neck shoulders and hands as well as my face and eyes(my face was swollen and eyes were puffy and my face, lips and eyes tingled or were numb). MY thyroid was also substernal which means it was about 4 inches into my chest.  I tested postitive for Thyroid antibodies so my body was attacking my thyroid anyway so we made the decision to have it removed.  This had been going on for several years with no relief in sight.  I would go from Hyper to Hypo which also causes extreme fatigue and mood swings and makes it difficult to regulate with Synthroid.  I was also told that I would have to have ultrasounds and biopsies every 3 months just to make sure cancer cells do not develop and since they were not able to do a FNA last time I am happy with my decision to have it removed.

My surgeon does not believe it looked suspicious but we will know for sure on Tuesday, July 10th when he goes over my report with me.  So cancer was not in the treatment equation when I had the TT. Thank God!  I think that a cancer diagnosis makes a big difference in whether or not they put you on Synthroid or not.  Which also makes a difference in how you feel through recovery.

To answer your questions:
I came out of surgery on Tuesday, June 26th at 5:30 p.m. (took 3 hours) was up walking (or trying to run) to the bathroom by 7:30 p.m. I thought I was going to burst!  I usually get very ill after surgery but they gave me a different type of anesthesia and I actually did much better this time.  However, you do need to be careful when they give you real food for the first time.  Eat very little and very slow.  I ate a piece of french toast plain and it made me throw up.  They gave me phenergan in my IV and off to sleep I went.  When I woke up they told me that I would have to eat something solid and hold it down before I went home.  I ate a bland piece of toast with turkey and gravy with mash potatoes and carrots.  I ate a little bite of everything and they let me go home...all in all I was in the hospital about 23 hours.

I was not as sore as I thought I would be, it was kinda like a bad sore throat.  I was talking the night of the surgery and because the hospital had wireless webTV I was able to post to everyone then.  I was given a Rx for vicodin to be taken 1 or 2 tablets every 6 hours but I have only been taking them once a day.  I do have a high tolerance for pain though and always did.  WHAT DID HURT WAS WHEN THEY REMOVED THE DRAINAGE TUBES!  OH MY GOSH!!!!  Take a deep breath as they remove them and it helps!

Because mine is not believed to be cancer I was put on Synthroid a week before my surgery as well as potassium Iodide ( to reduce bleeding and "dry up" the thyroid).  I believe that this had a lot to do with my overall feeling good.  Before my surgery I could barely get out of bed and when I did it felt like someone pulled a drain plug on a bathtub.  I felt like I could just melt to the floor and stay there forever.

I feel pretty good right now and am anxious to get back to school.  (After 15 years of doing medical administration I am going to school for Cosmetology and my husband is doing Massage Therapy so we can open a Spa business of our own)  With all this mess with my Thyroid and wondering if I will ever feel good again I am, for the first time, feeling optimistic about our plans for our future.

I thank God for this forum and for everyone here!  I know I am not crazy and there is life after TT.

Lotsa Love
Suzie

[redhed87]

I have no idea what mine is.........I just started synthroid last Tuesday- I feel like it is what it was pre RAI- around 49 or so . The week I waited between bloodwork and RAI I know it rose quickly because there were days I couldn't even get out of bed. 5 days after RAI  he only started me on 75mcg and I still feel horrible.  My muscles are weak and I can't do anything without total exhaustion.  My WBS is Tuesday- I may call my endo to see if he can up my dose soon- I'm totally useless right now.  I try to do stuff, but tire so easily.  I am VERY emotional too.

[ChitChatNine]

What is your current TSH?  As you may recall my other side doesn't work so I'm cancer supressing plus being treated as if TT ... I'm on 100mcgs and last TSH on 88mcgs was 1.3 .. it climbed up from 1.1 after 8 weeks on the 88 so we went up to 100 and I'm having success with it but not sure yet as it's too new in the game for blood draw what the new # will be.

C~

[redhed87]

It depends on if you had cancer or not.  If it was cancer, they try to suppress your TSH to reduce the chances of reoccurence. ( I have read the TSH # is to .1)  Other than that, I don't know.  Mine was cancer, so I will have mine suppressed.

[kipland]

Hi Suzie~

I can't give you any info because I'm relatively new to this, but had some questions for you.  I read a little ways down that you just had your thyroid removed and you posted from the hospital?!?!?  I have to have mine out due to thyroid cancer.  I meet with the surgeon on 7/17 and assume I will find out a surgery date at that time.  I know I can ask him these questions, but since you've just gone through it - I was hoping you could?

How long were you in the hospital?
How sore were/are you?
How long before they tell you you can resume normal activities (like go to work)?

Believe me, I have a LOT more questions than that, that I'll be taking to my appointment.  I'm hoping that you continue to post as you go through getting the meds regulated.  I've been told that it could take a while, and there may be times when you feel awful.  I haven't even been on this medication, so I don't know what to expect.

Hope you are doing well!!  Keep us posted, okay??

Lori