TSH Rise After Nodule Recision

[Staschou]

I am posting - on behalf of my wife;

She had a 3.5 cm. benign nodule removed from the left side of her thyroid in August 2008.
In June 2008 (before the surgery), her TSH was 1.09.
Now (after surgery), Oct. 9, 2008 - her TSH is 6.21.

Could the surgery had made the difference - like "injury" to the thyroid?

She is 76 years of age, and now has symptoms of hypothyroidism

[utahmomma]

The nodule may have been producing hormones.  They often do.  

It usually takes 6-8 weeks for the full effects of an increase in thyroid meds to work.  Give it a bit of time.

[Staschou]

No portion of the gland was removed - only the surface nodule.
But, the surface of the gland may have been "nicked", so some
T hormones may have been released.......She is now on increased
Levothyroxin strength - from 50 mcg. to 75 mcg. She will have an
update blood T  levels in 2 months. The hypothyroidism symptoms
still continue.......it takes some time to reduce the symptoms.

[utahmomma]

Quite often the remaining half of the thyroid can't produce enough hormone to compensate for the removed half and thyroid hormone replacement medications are necessary (Synthroid, levothyroxine, Armour, etc.).

Have they started her on meds?  If not, she needs to be.

I'm glad the nodule was benign!


Utahmomma
papillary carcinoma