Thyroid damage from a trach??

Question

My Mom had surgery in Feb. 2006 for heart related problems. During the surger, the Dr. made a mistake and Mom had to go back into surgery the next AM. As a result of the first surgery, her whole body shut down and she was on a vent for 2 months, she had a trach to help her breathe. When they tried to remove the trach, it wouldn't come out. They then pulled harder and got it out. Ever since that time, she has trouble swallowing (on thick liquids), her voice is raspy and she is on Synthroid. Her diag. is Hyperthyroidism. Her TSH's were normal prior to surgery. After they pulled the trach out, her TSH was over 99.0!!! That is not a typo!! She is still on Synthroid. So I am wondering if she can be tested to see if she has to remain on Synthroid for the rest of her life (she's now 85 and in a nursing home) or maybe enough time has passed and her thyroid may be back to normal. She was very independant prior to the first surgery. Do you have to decrease the Synthroid slowly, or can they just take it away and see how her thyroid responds?

skifoot · Answer

Thanks for the support.  It's been a rough road these past 3 years.  Yes, she has seen an ENT several times and has done several swallowing tests.  They all say she has a mass in her treachea.  So it could be scar tissue.  No one ever gives me a direct answer and they didn't want to persue it as it would mean surgery and Mom does not want to have any more surgeries.  It's just so unfortunate.

ChitChatNine · Answer

I am not a Dr but sounds like they may have knicked the thyroid gland and did some damage and a slight knick is all that's needed for it to shut down as if she had a total thyroidectomy.  I had a partial thyroidectomy and my other intact side shut down after the surgery .. it happens 20% of the time with thyroid surgery.  Perhaps that is what happened along with nerve damage and/or vocal chord damage .. she should see an ENT for a complete evaluation and swallow study is what I think an ENT would do.  Just my thoughts and I'm so sorry to read all your Mom has gone thru.

C~