Thyroid coming out June 27

[danie17075rm]

I met with the surgeon.  I went over every symptom I have had.  He said I can very well have a pituitary problem, but my endo needs to deal with that, as it is not what he specializes in.  The doctor was nice.  It's a teaching hospital so I also had to deal with students.  He said that even though I might have a pituitary problem, most of my tests and symptoms are completely consistent with hashimoto's.  I am positive for 2 types of antibodies (that was new information).  He said that the thyroid has to come out, even if I have other problems.  My thyroid is causing too many issues and he said it felt all rubbery.  He actually made all the med students come in and feel my thyroid as it is apparently the "perfect" text book hashimoto's thyroid.  You can even feel the edges of mine. YAY, at least my thyroid is good for something lol.  I said I'm glad it can be of use to someone and they said, "hey we will get to see it when it comes out too" lol.  He said that radiation would not have been a good choice for me.  My hashimotos is so bad that different parts of the thyroid uptake the iodine at different rates.  He said this would have been really bad for me, and surgery is definitely the best option.  He can just remove it, and I will finally have a steady dose of thyroid hormones.  He also said that I should not be too expectant that this will cure everything.  He said it plays havoc on the nervous system, and sometimes it doesn't get entirely better.  He is going to examine the parathyroids while he is in there, but he really wants me to try and raise the vitamin D before surgery.  They had an opening June 1 for surgery, but I really wanted some time to take this in.  My surgery is schedule for June 27.  A few weeks before that I have a pre-op appointment and a few weeks after surgery my post-op appointment.  He said since I have an autoimmune disease, getting rid of the thyroid doesn't always help the autoimmune problem.  UGH.  I'm kind of scared that it won't make me feel better after what he said, but I do know it will give me a constant flow of hormone rather than too much or too little.  SO, that is the news.  The thyroid is going bye bye.  I don't know how to feel about it yet. At least I have some time to think. I hope this is the right decision!

[SassySharon]

Bruce,  

My Father had Thyroid Cancer.  That was the reason for his TT.  I do not.  I only have multi-nodular thyroid, Hypothyroid, and Hashi's, as far as my thryoid goes.  I will be tested for parathyroid in July.  .  My endo has never considered or mentioned a TT for me. Why would he?

I am on .112 synthyroid as of now. Conversion will be checked in July also.

sass

[danie17075rm]

I didn't have the graves antibodies at the time of testing, but I'm not so sure of the results.  My hashi's antibodies were gone at the time too when a few weeks prior they were close to 300.  I'm not sure how that changed so drastically in 2 weeks, or if I really could have graves antibodies or not.  I know I tested positive for 2 different types of antibodies (the docs assistant threw this out in passing, so I don't know the details of that one yet).  Surgery is a month away now.  With my new mouth issues it is probably best I wait.  They might want to get this under control.  I'm waiting on biopsy results =(.  It could be ANOTHER autoimmune disease attacking my tongue and mouth

[Brucergoldberg]

Sassy,

Because you said your dad did and he is doing well.

Barb,   I had both graves and has his antibodies but was told that you take the higher number and that's what you have?

[Barb135]

Thyroid meds do not control the Hashi's antibodies, they only control the hypothyroidism that results from the antibodies destroying the thyroid.  

danie -- have you been tested for Graves?  Some people have both Graves and Hashimoto's antibodies......

Have you considered bringing your surgery date closer?

[danie17075rm]

I know the feeling!  Unfortunately, some cases of hashi's cannot be controlled with meds not matter what they do.  With the uptake they just give you some radioactive iodine (I had to drink it in a straw) and get an injection.  They then take a bunch of pics immediately, and when you come back in 24 hours when they will take pics again to see how your thyroid took in the iodine.  I am SUPER sensitive to everything and I didn't have any effects from it. The percentage of iodine my thyroid took in was similar to those with graves disease.

[SassySharon]

Bruce,

Why would you possibly ask me that question?