Post-thyroidectomy-better quality of life than with hyperthyroidism??

[arsenalsupporter]

I was diagnosed with Graves disease 8 months ago, making my thyroid very overactive. I didn't respond well to the medication as it was affecting my White blood cells and a full thyroidectomy was decided upon after taking Lugol's iodine for a week to bring it under control. The huperthyroidism had left me with rapid heart beat, palpitations, severe anxiety, muscle loss, weakness, non-existent periods, the list is endless. I had my thyroidectomy 2 days ago-it was difficult because of its size and overactivity but a specialist surgeon made it a success. I was expecting to gain back the weight i had lost as it was mostly muscle and hoping to have increased energy and a controlled heartbeat  so I could exercise again. I also chose surgery over Radioactive iodine, among other reasons, to minimise future fertility problems but people have beern reporting problems in this area. All I keep reading on forums is doom and gloom about weight gain and exhaustion afterwards. I'd like to hear from people who had a total thyroidectomy because of hyper thyroidism to know how it feels compared to before hand as most people posting had normal function before and I want to know the improvements from being hyper before. There must be a better quality of life to be put through it?!

[Totie]

I had a TT for hyper/graves/toxic goiter about 17yrs ago. I did not have any weight issues from it...I have lived my life; work, being a mother & wife & still going 17yrs later....

It did take a year to get my dosage level correct, but no issues or horror stories from the TT for me.

[arsenalsupporter]

I only had the op 5 days ago but will be hypo because the gland isn't there to make the hormone. I've already started the replacement and apart from the wound itself, feel markedly better than when I was thyrotoxic.

[sandrasandiego]

Did you become hypo after surgery?

[arsenalsupporter]

Thank you-this was what I needed to hear. I don't expect to control my weight without duet and exercise and I missed being able to do these things before. It's not proper weight loss with hyper thyroid because of the muscle loss and that needs to go back in. I too wish there were more positive stories - I have grown very sceptical of endless people saying they've gained 4 or 4 stone. I am back to my pre-op positive attitude that now I'm not too ill to exercise, I'm going to make 'the most of it and not sit around doing nothing and making excuses. I am going to rest properly as my op was only 4 days ago and hell, if I gain half a stone, it's only what I needed to regain anyway!
Hope you carry on feeling well and thanks again.

[mrsomes]

I had a TT in June of 2009 because I wound up with a toxic-goiter.   Same thing happened...lost a ton of weight, no muscle mass, high BP etc.  It took a few months but I feel fine.   I gained back the weight I lost but no more.   I'm not exhausted.   I actually feel better than I did before my thyroid became toxic.   I didn't realize how many issues my goiter was causing me until I had it removed.   Monitor your hormone levels and communicate with your doctor and you can live a perfectly normal life after a TT.  I know there are more folks out there who are doing just fine and I wish they would also contribute to these types of forums so people wouldn't be so scared.

[stella5349]

You posted this already. I did respond on the original post.