Thyroid surgery for Graves

[ar1281a]

after years on tapazole, I developed an allergy to it. I was switched to PTU but also developed an allergy and my WBC dropped. I've been off meds for about a week now and my Dr has told me that I need to make a decision fast between RAI or surgery. I'm leaning towards surgery as I don't like the idea of radiation. Would love to hear experiences from others that have gone through the same route. Did you have the entire thryoid gland removed? or just partial removal? how was the recovery time? how long did it take until an ideal synthroid (or other) dosis was achieved? which also prompts the question of how thyroid hormone replacement is achieved? do you get a T3/T4 combo? or just one? I don't know much about this given that I was always looking to lower my thyroid hormone and not replace it :-)

[stella5349]

We are discussing removal for Graves? Do you have Thyroid eye disease?

Thats not very common w/out TED to go in and remove the gland for Graves. RAi is usually the first thing to go though.

Do you have recent labs to post for us to see how Graves you are? -

[ar1281a]

thanks much for the replies! yes, my endo said that's better to have it all removed at once, rather than partial removal. Anyone who has gone through surgery?

[armywife92]

I will add that if you do a TT seriously consider having the whole thing removed as I've read numerous stories of ppl having to get the other side removed several yrs down the road due to nodules and or too much thyroid production. That's not a surgery I'd want twice. I've heard far more positive stories surrounding TT.

[anandbharti]

Not really answering your question but I went for RAI in January 2007, Just two tablets with a glass of water ! Thyroid levels took six months to go below normal. Then started with Synthroid at 75 mcg. Dose eventually settled at 125 mcg. after year and half.