Hashimoto treatment

[shellnell]

I am a 55 year old, 148 pound female who had indiscriminate cells on a biopsy for nodules. I underwent a thyroid lobectomy last month. The results were Hashimoto and Hurthle cell changes that were benign.  In a week, I will be going in for some blood work -- TSH, freeTy and anti-thyroid antibodies test.  Then I will follow-up with my doctor.  My question is if I have only half of my thyroid now  and no symptoms of being hypo that I am aware of, unless you consider the hot flashes throughout the day that are nothing more than a wave of heat and getting clammy that last from 1 to 3 minutes, and the occasional intermittent chills that can last for an hour or so across my back, what should I expect in way of treatment?  I assume that the Hashimoto condition would apply to  the remaining thyroid, but I currently don't have obvious symptoms associated with hypothyroidism that stands out to me, so wondering what to possibly expect in way of treatment.  Is it possible I am subclinical or hashitoxicos?


This discussion is related to Hashimoto's and thyroid lobectomy.

[shellnell]

Yes,in looking closer and with what you typed, it is Free T4, not Ty.  I do not see Free T3 on the lab request and  I will ask about that.  As my doctor is very well respected and sought out in the community, I am not sure why T3 is not on the lab request.  I know that there was blood work before the surgery.  I will ask.  I just started asking for copies from my file, i.e., hospital report of my thyroid lab work which is how they found out I was Hashimoto.  Again, no symptoms whatsoever to suggest thyroid problems.  Only reason I ever went to the specialist three years ago was neck ache and earache. Benign needle biopsy three years ago, but with change in nodule size, the doctor felt it best to do another biopsy, thus the indiscriminate cells, the need for surgery, and the discovery of Hashi with Hurthle cell changes which were benign.    

[Barb135]

Hashimoto's is an autoimmune disease, in which the antibodies gradually destroy your thyroid and it will eventually no longer produce hormone.  It's likely that at some point in your life, you will be totally dependent on some type of medication to replace the thyroid hormones that your body needs.

You said you are going for TSH, free Ty (what is that? or is it a typo?).  You need to have Free T4 AND Free T3 tested.  Many doctors will willingly test FT4, but most refuse to test FT3 -- insist on it and if your doctor refuses, I'd suggest finding another.  

Noting your age, the "symptoms" you have - hot flashes and chills - could be from menopause, also.  

The important thing will be to see what your Free T3, Free T4 and TSH levels are.  When you get the results, please post them here, along with the lab's reference ranges, since labs use various ranges depending on the method used to analyze the sample.  DO make sure you get a written copy of the lab report for your records.