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

[ThankfulDave]

I want to say first that I am grateful that I don't have cancer!  It's been 5 months since my thyroid was removed due to very large nodules.  I think it was functioning fine.  I had no idea I would feel so bad for so long afterward.  I believe I have a very good doctor.  She adjusts my T4 med and has added 10 mcg of T3.  I still barely function and I'm getting fat as a hog -miserable.  I will see her next week and I plan to ask for the natural hormone replacement instead of Tirosint and Cytomel that I currently am using.  Has anyone been able to feel good again after having thyroid removed?  How long does it take?   If you have changed to the natural hormone I would love to hear your comments.  Im so happy I found this site.  I welcome any help.

[ThankfulDave]

I want to say first that I am grateful that I don't have cancer!  It's been 5 months since my thyroid was removed due to very large nodules.  I think it was functioning fine.  I had no idea I would feel so bad for so long afterward.  I believe I have a very good doctor.  She adjusts my T4 med and has added 10 mcg of T3.  I still barely function and I'm getting fat as a hog -miserable.  I will see her next week and I plan to ask for the natural hormone replacement instead of Tirosint and Cytomel that I currently am using.  Has anyone been able to feel good again after having thyroid removed?  How long does it take?   If you have changed to the natural hormone I would love to hear your comments.  Im so happy I found this site.  I welcome any help.

[brandi_65]

I do too & I have a squealing sound in my throat all the time!

[Gerryfrances]

Give up teaching. It is the most stressful profession and there is no way your meds can be regulated when you are under that stress. I loved teaching but after thyroid cancer surgery I gave it up so I could have regulated metabolism.

[yoshi95]

I had my thyroid out in September 1989. I've been pretty much ok all that time up until menopause. I haven't had my period in 7 months now. Does not having a thyroid have an effect on menopause?

[Lenachumik]

Hi!very new "just diagnosed with two cyst on my thyroid.
All the comments read are very sad ,
Does anybody know any alternative to surgery .can those cyst become smaller with any herbal supplements ?