low calcium after Total Thyroidectomy

[mahnie]

I would appreciate hearing other's experiences with low calcium after TT (4 days ago in my case)for a multinodular goiter and how long, if ever, these levels returned to normal.  My largest nodule was big (5 cm) so I am worried that some or all of the parathyroids were removed at the same time.  I see the surgeon in 5 days. Is it a reasonable question to ask if she saw any parathyroid glands and also if any were seen in the tissue removed?. I know that there can be damage to the parathyroids as well as removal.

If I am delayed taking the calcium pill the tingling in my fingers starts and my lips become numb so there doesn't seem to be any improvement post surgery.  Post surgery my ionized calcium levels were not below 1 though and I was told that was better than being below 1! Thanks for any help.

[utahmomma]

Holy cow!  Okay, you win the worst parathyroid experience I've heard of!  I did have to have calcium in my IV as did one of my sisters but I was released the next day (less than 24 hour stay) and my sister was in about 36 hours (couldn't stop vomiting from the morphine).

My nurses and doctors were watching us all closely for thyroid storm but the first of us who had calcium drops was pretty much a surprise to them.  After about the third or fourth of the family they became really adept at keeping close tabs on the calcium levels too.

Note to everyone:  let someone know they need to check your calcium levels ASAP if you start to experience tingling or cramping (especially in the legs).  My family started smuggling in Viactive Calcium Chews for all the surgeries but I'm sure there would be a few medical professionals who wouldn't approve.

[mahnie]

I just had my week post-TT followup and was pleased to hear that my large goiter was benign as was expected but you never know.  The surgeon also said to stop taking the calcium and that when I go back in 6 weeks (after synthroid) with my thyroid tests she does not need to see any calcium tests (I asked).  I then asked if she saw my parathyroids during the surgery or whether any were trapped in the thyroid.  She said that part of one was and did not have her surgical notes yet in my file.  She went on to explain that in 80% of the thyroidectomy she does (400 a year) you can see 2 of the parathyroids attached to the thyroid and you just push them aside and if they get mangled reimplant them.  She also said that often they are hidden.  My lips seem slightly numb but that may be imagination now I am thinking of it but definitely no tingling so I am hoping that I have been lucky.  What might be interesting for others is that she said that while she first thought it was something the drug companies were pushing she had seen remarkable results using Scarsolution by Neosporin used on thyroid scars.  She thought it made 6 week scars look like 6 month scars.  It is expensive but I am going to try it.

[Caseylee]

I just had a TT on 11/21. Had rock solid calcium levels after surgery up to and including discharge 24 hours later. Thanksgiving day night I ended back in the ER due to severe tingling in the hands, arms and upper lip. Sure enough my calcium plumeted to 7.0 from the orginal discharge of 8.9. I ended up staying in two more days until the IV calcium and later pill form built up enough to get me back to 8.6. I have had two subsequent blood tests and still at that level, but only due to 6 calcium pills a day and a rocotrol. My doctor includes a search for parathyroid glands in the biopsy. In my case none were found. It's unusal to plumet that far past surgery but he thinks perhaps a blood clot formed somewhere around the main flow to the para's and perhaps they will kick back in soon. My problem is that I have lost a lot of volume and have a raspy voice. Everyone says it could take up to 3-4 weeks for that to come back. Has anyone out there had the same problem with the voice after surgery and is that time frame reasonable to expect?

[utahmomma]

My family has had 6 total thyroidectomies in the past 3 years.  Only one out of six had raspy voice after and it took about 6-9 months for her voice to come back.  She said Chloroseptic throat spray helped a bit.

[Hypoparathyroid]

Hi,
I'm 34 years old and I had a total thyroidectomy 2 years ago. I have severe problems with my calcium and Vit. D levels after my surgery. I spent a week in the hospital after going into calcium shock 5 hours after surgery. I take 50,000 UI 3X week and 2400-3000 mg of calcium a day plus 200 UI D w/ calcium. I still have tingles every day in my face, hands,head etc. I have my levels tested reg. but each time it's at 8.5 . My DR. ups my intake but my next appt. I'm @ 8.5 again. My body is needing more and more and I'm still tingling what is the long term affects from the intake of such a high dose of supplements. I would also like to mention the nausea,dizziness, muscle aches and headaches. I am told my my thyroid levels are ok I currently take 175 mcg. of synthroid.

[hazelhurst]

Just checked the thread. I hope you are doing better! Have your PTH levels changed at all? In other words, is there any indication that your parathyroids are starting to do their job again? My calcium levels are still around 8.9, but over 5 months I've managed to decrease by half the amount of calcium I take. Hang in there!