I have to have total thyroidectomy

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-17-2004
I have to have total thyroidectomy
7
Mon, 01-17-2005 - 5:38pm
Hi. I posted on here awhile back. I have a 3.6cm solid nodule on my left lobe and on the right I have 2 small cysts and 2 nodules - one which was large enough to be biopsied. Had a FNA about 4 weeks ago - all negative thank god. Went to the surgeon today and he, along with my endo, and me all feel the entire thyroid needs to come out. The large cyst hurts and is just way too large - He said if he felt any of the thyroid could be preserved he would do it, but from looking at the ultrasound he doubts it. I am in total agreement with him. I have been doing alot of reading and have talked to a lot of nice ladies on the internet about it. I, of course, am worried - surgery is surgery ... he said there is very little pain - I will stay overnight and should be back to normal within a week. I am worried of course about getting my levels ok - gaining weight, etc. etc. So, any information from any of you would be greatly appreciated!! MaryAnn
Avatar for cl_calley7
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Mon, 01-17-2005 - 9:49pm

Hi MaryAnn,


I'm just wondering what kind of surgeon is going to do your thyroidectomy.

 

Calley7

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-17-2005
Mon, 01-17-2005 - 10:35pm
Thanks for your input. I will let you know if I get any other information that I can pass on to you. I know it's a huge decision to have the thyroidectomy because there's no turning back once it's done. Do you also have normal thyroid function? I was assured by both my surgeon and my endo that when your replacement hormone is stabilized you will not have side effects of hypothyroidism (weight gain, hair loss, etc.) What I read from others I find it hard to believe that my doctors are telling me everything I need to know. If only I could believe that it's that simple. I plan on seeing a local nutritionist before I make any final decision. I really want to hear from people who have had this done. Thanks again.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-19-2004
Mon, 01-17-2005 - 10:42pm

I think it makes sense if you are stabilized that you wouldn't have hypo symptoms. It's just getting to that point, in the mean time you may suffer some of the symptoms of hypo thyroid.


Just my opinion!
April

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-17-2004
Tue, 01-18-2005 - 6:42pm
Hi Calley - and thanks for all that information. I already asked the surgeon almost all of the questions that were listed. I have been doing alot of reading. Also, my endo told me that a thyroid surgeon should perform ALOT of thyroid surgeries each year. He said you do not want one that does them infrequently. The surgeon I am going to is an ENT doctor and a thyroid surgeon. He said he does about 60 per year and has NEVER injured a vocal cord nerve which is one of my biggest fears. I felt very good talking to him and very reassured. Thankfully I do not have cancer at this time, however, we talked about the slight possibility that my larger cyst could still have a potential of some hidden cancer because of the size of it even though my biopsy was negative. I do have normal thyroid levels at this time. Regardless of that though, the large cyst hurts me and really has to come out - its not going to shrink - medication will not do that and because its so large, at least 1/2 of my thyroid or more would have to come out anyway and replacement hormone would be more than likely needed. So, the endo, the surgeon and I all agree on the surgery to remove it all. He did say he would preserve some if he could. MaryAnn
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Wed, 01-19-2005 - 6:28pm
I wanted to respond because I had a total thyroidectomy 10 months ago. I can't believe it's been almost a year! I had an excellent, experienced surgeon. The surgery went very well, and recovery was really very easy. I was levelled out on my meds with a month and have stayed stabilized ever since. I had my thyroid removed to treat Graves disease (hyperthyroidism). I have never regretted my treatment choice. My scar is very minimal. I have gained a few pounds, but I haven't been extremely vigilant about watching what I eat. I do excercise and feel much better when I make the time to do so. Of course I have days when I'm really tired, but so do a lot of people who still have their thyroid. I would never want to return to the days when I was hyper (even though I had lost a ton of weight). That was the worst period of my life! Speaking of periods, since my thyroidectomy, my periods have not really levelled back out. Some months I only go 3 weeks between periods. And they are much heavier than before. But there is life after thyroidecotmy!!! If you have any specific questions, I'll try to check back and answer them. Good luck!
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-17-2004
Thu, 01-20-2005 - 1:11pm
Thanks so much for your response!! I have to admit, I am worried about weight gain. I am already a bit chubby and if I gain anymore weight, I am going to be very upset. I cannot exercise the way I would like because I have Fibromyalgia and so that is a concern to me. I am not so concerned with the pain - they say its very minimal - but once my thyroid is gone, its gone!! However, it seems to me I do not have many choices with the cysts/nodules I have. Are you just on Synthroid? When my ob/gyn found the lump, he did blood work and all my thyroid levels were fine. Its alot to think about - maybe I will feel much bettter??? Maybe alot of my Fibromyalgia symptoms are due to the cysts??? I am calling the surgeon back today - looks like late Feb. for the surgery. Thanks so much and I will keep in touch on these boards for sure. MaryAnn
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-19-2004
Thu, 01-20-2005 - 4:15pm

I just got back from the surgeons. He said everything looked good. The biopy of my thyroid came back fine. He showed me the paper. I couldn't believe I actually got to see it.