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Living without a Thyroid Gland
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
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
Shouldn't it be all about choice?
Sadly regular Dr's do not give us that choice.
I'm in agreement that NDT doesn't work for everyone, just as T4 doesn't either, but there wouldn't even be this argument if only we were all better informed as patients.
I can only go by personal experience and share with others so they're better informed. It's so much easier to go along with the routine treatment though I have to say, but I just got so sick on it so I'm glad I found an alternative.
Sadly regular Dr's do not give us that choice.
I'm in agreement that NDT doesn't work for everyone, just as T4 doesn't either, but there wouldn't even be this argument if only we were all better informed as patients.
I can only go by personal experience and share with others so they're better informed. It's so much easier to go along with the routine treatment though I have to say, but I just got so sick on it so I'm glad I found an alternative.
You may need some t3. Some convert well, others dont.
sidenote: drives me nuts when people come on here and try to say that anyone on a certain drug will never feel well. Speaking from my experience it may take a little trial and error before you find the one that works for you. I have been on everything, they all make me feel bad but synthroid has made me feel the best of the worst. So i say "stop! The Stop the thyroid madness posts! No everyone does well on armour. Not everyone does well on synthroid. Reading through this post its almost like their are drug reps in here and its really sad.
sidenote: drives me nuts when people come on here and try to say that anyone on a certain drug will never feel well. Speaking from my experience it may take a little trial and error before you find the one that works for you. I have been on everything, they all make me feel bad but synthroid has made me feel the best of the worst. So i say "stop! The Stop the thyroid madness posts! No everyone does well on armour. Not everyone does well on synthroid. Reading through this post its almost like their are drug reps in here and its really sad.
Please post your thyroid test results and reference ranges so that members can further assess the adequacy of your testing and treatment.
I had my Thyroid out almost 2 years ago, they thought I had cancer and it came back that I didn't. When I had my check prior to the surgery the doctor said that my thyroid was very enlarged. I felt different, gained some weight, was very emotional, and had no energy.
Now that time has past since the surgery things are going good. I started out on the lowest medication, and over a 6 month period I was bumped up to the highest of 200mg. I have been on the 200 mg now for some time and it seams to do the job. But there are times that I don't have a lot of energy. I go back every 3 months to get my levels checked, and changed my diet.
Now that time has past since the surgery things are going good. I started out on the lowest medication, and over a 6 month period I was bumped up to the highest of 200mg. I have been on the 200 mg now for some time and it seams to do the job. But there are times that I don't have a lot of energy. I go back every 3 months to get my levels checked, and changed my diet.
Had my thyroid out due to a 4cm nodule and compression syndrome. Started on synthroid at 137 mcg now on 175mcg. I am larger than when I was 8mths pregnant. My TSH was 40 2 mths ago and is now 12. I cant lose weight despite working out like a crazy person. I am worried the cancer may return because it is important to have a TSH <1. Any ideas tips? What should I do? Is this normal? My surgery was in Nov 2012 its now April 2013. Shouldnt my TSH be less than 12?
Speak for yourself. There are tons of people that feek great on synthroid. I feel much better on synthroid in less than a month than i ever did on naturethroid or armour. Everyone is different.
Some people convert fine on synthroid. Others dont and need t3.
Some people convert fine on synthroid. Others dont and need t3.
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