I had my thyroid removed in August while I was hyperthyroid. I also had a goiter that was choking me and kept switching back and forth between hypo and hyper. I still have issues, but it is MUCH MUCH better than being hyperthyroid. In my opinion you can live and work through other problems, but with hyperthyroidism I did not have a life. By the way, do you eat a lot of soy? I was a vegetarian for many years and strongly believe it caused all my thyroid issues.. yikes =(.
Thanks to the people posting positive outcomes. I have Hyperthyroid with a Multinodular goiter. I am being told that I need to have my thyroid removed and I am very afraid to do this because of the negative outcomes I am hearing and reading about. I needed to hear some positive!!! I have been trying to deal with this for a year now. I am so miserable. I just don't know what else to do BUT have it removed. I am a vegan and eat very healthy. I have a healthy lifestyle. I feel I have exhausted everything possible to avoid surgery. Thanks again for the positive outcomes.
I had my TT this past August and everything went well. I was only in the hospital overnight and only use had to use Tylenol for pain. Calcium levels were fine but did have to take Tums 3x/day, along with calciferol but that was a small price to pay compared to developing severe calcium issues. You should be fine, the surgery was a snap. Good luck.
I just had my surgery on Jan 31/07. I understand that the parathyroid glands don't like to be bothered. I was told mine were badly bruised. I had a substernal goiter.or it was in my chest. I feel fine after a couple of days of taking vit.D with the calcium. The worse was a tingling in legs, hands and lips. I have alot of energy and don't seem to need to sleep very much since the 2 day after surgery. I feel 90% better now.It is not very painful surgery, a bit of a stiff neck now that the necklace is healing,,,and getting itchy.....a great sign. Everyone hear is so wonderful and it will be a big relief when its all over. Best of Luck and Health to you.
I had calcium problems following my first partial (had 1 parathyroid removed during that surgery too). I didn't on the second because I kept telling everyone who would listen to watch my calcium levels and I started calcium supplements as soon as I hit my room. All my sisters and my daughter had calcium problems too but none too serious (just needed some calcium in the IV). Maybe it's just a family thing - kind of like our thyroid cancer.
I have heard of lots of people who didn't have calcium problems after surgery but it is one of the more common problems. Doesn't hurt to know about it and have it in the back of your mind but DON'T PANIC ABOUT IT!!!
You'll do great.
I agree, Scott. It has been helpful for me to hear about others' experiences, the good and the bad. What I meant is, I think we tend to hear more about the problems. Cheers.
Hello, I don't see why if someone had a great outcome should not to post. I feel that worried people should hear both sides and not just the ones who had problems. When I came on here I was glad to see that there were those that had "perfect" outcomes. That reesurred me, even though I was scarred to death when my day had come in the OR. My TT was 3 weeks ago and I am doing well. I see my Endo tomorrow(2/6) and cant wait until I get my blood work to see where I stand since my surgery.
Happy times!
Scott
I was pretty concerned with the calcium issue as well, but had a TT 3 months ago and aside from the initial tingling and muscle cramps post op, they had me on supplements for about 3 weeks and now I have no issue with my calcium levels. As it was explained to me the deficiency can occur due to an interuption in blood supply to your parathyroid glands which metabolize the calcium, once that kicks back in you should be ok. I lost one of my parathyroids with mmy thyroid so I'm left with 3...I think and haven't experienced any adverse affects or low calcium levels.
Good luck & all the best. It's really not all that bad.
Jez
Hi
Had TT on dec 12th and had one of my parathyroid glands removed.Had to go on calcium supplements for a couple of weeks and slowly weaned myself off them.Everything fine now and go for my follow up blood test in a couple of weeks.
You will do Great!
Roman
Hello there. You shouldn't worry too much about low calcium--reading this forum might give a skewed impression about how often this complication arises. We are quite vocal about all the problems, but then again, those with perfect outcomes have no reason to post!
I had a partial thyroidectomy 20 days post op and no calcium issues, but I do understand partial is different than total. I am on 25mcgs of Synthroid for supression of gland due to cancer found upon final biopsy but all agree too small and non-aggressive to take out other side as of today. I go for bloodwork for TSH in about 2.5 weeks and they will tweek dosing for TSH in range of .5-1.0 .. right now it is functioning normal @ 2.5 TSH.
C~
I had my TT 3 weeks ago without any calcium problems at all. Hope for the hest!
Scott
Hi Katheryn,
My thyroidectomy wasn't total, but in 1976 I had 2/3 of my gland removed. For the next 10 years, I was on no medication at all, and had blood tests regularly. Then, I was found to be hypothyroid, and continued for nearly 20 years at 0.1 mg levothyroxine. I am on this board because in the past 2 years (nearly 30 years post-surgery) I've been having a few problems, but so-far easily regulated with a change of dosage. I have felt enormously better for the past 30 years than I did for the year or two before surgery! I hope that is somewhat reassuring for you.