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I may need my thyroid removed-experience/ stories?
Hello all! I am diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease, 23 years old, have several nodules and an enlarged thyroid. My endocrinologist is suggesting removing my thyroid. I have been on synthroid 300 for over a year and every time my routine bloodwork comes back essentially unchanged. The gist is that everything is coming back way higher than it should be, especially with me being on the high dose of synthroid for so long. ( I started at synthroid 100-worked up to 300) I have 5 nodules, majority of them on the right side-1 large one on the left. My doctor is telling me that I will be able to take a lower dose of synthroid and reduce the risk of the nodules becoming a major issue. I understand I will always be Hypo. I am just curious about others who have had thyroid removal. I appreciate any responses I get, anything will help me get a better understanding of what I am getting into.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Would you also post recent thyroid labs with reference ranges. Ranges vary lab to lab and have to come from your own lab report.
How and when do you take your meds?
Please list your symptoms. Have any resolved?
How and when do you take your meds?
Please list your symptoms. Have any resolved?
Like this feedback because useful, helpful and some alternatives.
Shows how important it is for us to learn lots about our thryoid conditions.
Thanks Red_Star
Shows how important it is for us to learn lots about our thryoid conditions.
Thanks Red_Star
Excerpt from My Hypothyroid Rollercoaster Ride: When thyroxine doesn't do its job...
"The following all have supporting scientific references. (If you'd like any to show your doctor, just ask. Whether their pride will let them take a look is another matter..!)
Time - It can take a while for your medication to kick in; anything from weeks to a whole year. You didn't get ill overnight - likewise you're not going to get better overnight!
Dose - You may be under-medicated and need to be on a higher dose, despite what your blood tests say. Before the TSH test was invented, people increased their medication until they got better. The average dose used to a lot higher. The test has been proven to be a poor tool for assessing dosage. Its reference range is also far too wide.
Fillers - You may be allergic to the fillers in your medication. Try a different brand. Don't mix two different brands.
Conversion - Stress, depression, malnutrition, obesity, excessive exercise, iron deficiency, illness, and exposure to toxins and plastics can decrease conversion of T4 to T3, leading to reduced tissue and cellular thyroid levels. T3 or T3-containing medication is beneficial.
Receptor resistance - Stress and illness contribute to the blocking of T3 from the cells. The exact mechanism isn't known but it's thought that the T4 converts to 'reverse T3', which blocks the receptors. A slow build-up of T3 medication is needed.
Vitamins and minerals - If any of these are low, thyroid medication won't work properly: ferritin (iron), vitamin D3, vitamin B12, magnesium, folate, copper and zinc.
Gluten sensitivity - There's a strong link between gluten intolerance and Hashimoto's. Standard tests are not sensitive enough to diagnose milder forms, though they can diagnose full-blown celiac disease. Other food allergies can also harm thyroid hormone uptake.
Hormonal imbalances - Get your sex hormones tested. Oestrogen dominance and progesterone deficiency impairs the uptake of thyroid hormones.
Mercury poisoning - Check with your dentist that you don't have amalgam fillings, because they can cause thyroid problems.
Medications:
T4 + T3 - Some people do better on a mixture of T4 (thyroxine) and T3 medication.
T3 only - Some people benefit from taking T3 only.
NDT - Some people do well on natural desiccated thyroid, which was the standard treatment before synthetic T4 was invented. It is porcine or bovine thyroid and contains everything your own thyroid would produce - i.e. T4, T3, T2, T1 and calcitonin."
"The following all have supporting scientific references. (If you'd like any to show your doctor, just ask. Whether their pride will let them take a look is another matter..!)
Time - It can take a while for your medication to kick in; anything from weeks to a whole year. You didn't get ill overnight - likewise you're not going to get better overnight!
Dose - You may be under-medicated and need to be on a higher dose, despite what your blood tests say. Before the TSH test was invented, people increased their medication until they got better. The average dose used to a lot higher. The test has been proven to be a poor tool for assessing dosage. Its reference range is also far too wide.
Fillers - You may be allergic to the fillers in your medication. Try a different brand. Don't mix two different brands.
Conversion - Stress, depression, malnutrition, obesity, excessive exercise, iron deficiency, illness, and exposure to toxins and plastics can decrease conversion of T4 to T3, leading to reduced tissue and cellular thyroid levels. T3 or T3-containing medication is beneficial.
Receptor resistance - Stress and illness contribute to the blocking of T3 from the cells. The exact mechanism isn't known but it's thought that the T4 converts to 'reverse T3', which blocks the receptors. A slow build-up of T3 medication is needed.
Vitamins and minerals - If any of these are low, thyroid medication won't work properly: ferritin (iron), vitamin D3, vitamin B12, magnesium, folate, copper and zinc.
Gluten sensitivity - There's a strong link between gluten intolerance and Hashimoto's. Standard tests are not sensitive enough to diagnose milder forms, though they can diagnose full-blown celiac disease. Other food allergies can also harm thyroid hormone uptake.
Hormonal imbalances - Get your sex hormones tested. Oestrogen dominance and progesterone deficiency impairs the uptake of thyroid hormones.
Mercury poisoning - Check with your dentist that you don't have amalgam fillings, because they can cause thyroid problems.
Medications:
T4 + T3 - Some people do better on a mixture of T4 (thyroxine) and T3 medication.
T3 only - Some people benefit from taking T3 only.
NDT - Some people do well on natural desiccated thyroid, which was the standard treatment before synthetic T4 was invented. It is porcine or bovine thyroid and contains everything your own thyroid would produce - i.e. T4, T3, T2, T1 and calcitonin."
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