Living without a Thyroid Gland

[sophiesudane]

Good afternoon. This is my 1st time on this site.  I had a total thyroidectomy 3 weeks ago.  They suspected cancer, but It ended up being benign.  Yeah.  

To back up a bit, I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism at the age of 22 and then figured out the cause of the hypothyroidism was Hashimoto Thyroiditis at the age of 28. Well, over the years nodules were found on both sides of my gland and were monitored. About 6 months ago during my annual exam they noticed my gland was extremely enlarged and my nodules were abnormally large. Well, we ran all the tests and did a needle biopsy. The report came back as suspicious. At that point I met with the surgeon and the rest is history.

I am pleased to be through the scare, but now need to find out about living without the gland.  Over the last 3 weeks I have found myself to be very weepy and emotional. I am also very tired during the day, but struggle to get a good nights rest. I have also woken up with the feeling of panic attacks. My guess is that my dosage is off. Right after the surgery they put me on the same dosage of thyroid replacement medicine (150 mcg) I was on prior to the surgery. I have 3 weeks to go until I have my levels tested.

So, I am 31 and struggling with all the chemical changes in my body.  Sometime I feel as if I am going crazy with all the emotional lows I have. I should be elated that I am cancer free and able to move on with life as normal. But I do not feel that way. Help.

Can anyone offer me tips on how to cope and any suggestions on a healthy lifestyle (diet/exercise) regimen I can incorporate into my life. Any idea of some the hurdles I might need to prepare myself and my loved ones for??

Thanks

[gimel]

By doing fine, does that mean that you have no symptoms of any kind?  If not I am surprised, since your Free T3 is so low.  Scientific studies have shown that Free T3 correlated best with symptoms, while Free T4 and TSH did not correlate at all.

[sunset115]

I had a complete thyroidectomy due to thyroid cancer at age 21. I'm now almost 75 and doing fine.  After the surgery I had radioactive iodine to "burn" out whatever thyroid tissue was left. I started at 3mcg of synthroid- now using the generic levothyrixine and down to 150mcg. My tsh was .005 at last test, t4 free  1.4   t3 free 2.1. Hang in there- you can have a long and happy life without a thyroid.

[JN1987]

Hi I didnt read through all the comments there were just too many lol, was anyone here born without a thyroid?

[dvaldes]

I am not alone! I had thyroid cancer at 19 and my life has not been the same. Its been a struggle to try to regulate the levels. It is such a hassle! Im tired, moody, anxious, etc. I feel exhausted some days and others not so much. I have my good days and bad days. I dont know what to do to feel like myself again. Is there another thyroid hormone besides synthroid??? I am so frustrated with being tired all of the time.

[dvaldes]

I feel the same way!! You are not alone. I had a complete thyroidectomy

[gimel]

Please post your actual thyroid related test results and reference ranges shown on the lab report.  Also, tell us about any other symptoms  you have besides weight gain.  If tested for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin (iron related), please post those, and ranges as well.