TOTAL PARA-THYROIDECTOMY
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TOTAL PARA-THYROIDECTOMY
| Fri, 05-26-2006 - 1:11pm |
Hi! I am a new member "KILIA MERI" searching for anyone who has had any or all 4 para-thyroid glands removed, either by accident during a total thyroidectomy or partial removal, or born without them. These 4 glands produce calcium within our bodies and are located in the neck area. The sole purpose of the parathyroid glands is to control calcium within the blood in a very tight range between 8.5 and 10.5. In doing so, parathyroid glands also control how much calcium is in the bones, and therefore, how strong and dense the bones are. Although the parathyroid glands are intimately related to the thyroid gland anatomically, they have no related function. Unfortunately for myself I lost all 4 during surgery in the removal of thyroid cancer Follicular and Papillary cancers back in 2002. I experienced the most horrific episode in my life waking up after surgery knowing I was about to die, I was so depleted from calcium and my Drs hadn't known....Go figure! At any rate I am on a quest to ensure that others undergoing future thyroid cancer suregery know their Drs success rate to avoid suffering the consequences I suffered, I am searching for others to inform myself about parathyroid replacements thus far calcium and vitamin D supplements are all we have but how safe and helpful are these replacements especially on our liver and kidneys since the replacements are generally high in mcg.

Hi Spiritbodynsoul,
I have half of my thyroid left and didn't lose any parathyroid glands but I know at least a couple of other thyca members here have.
Your story is certainly a warning to others to be aware of this possibility should they go through a similar surgery.
Hi spiritbodynsoul, and I am one to have two parathyroids gone. I was born with 4 which is common, and in 1995 I had a partial thyroidectomy due to a large nodule that I had, which by the way showed no signs of cancer until the pathology report a week later. But, the nodule had spread so much, I had a very large tumor right up against my parathyroids and just about wrapped around one vocal cord plus around a "strap" to my shoulder. Seeing this when cut, the surgeon proceeded to remove the tumor and I ended up with the strap removed, a paralyzed vocal cord (they thought I would never talk again) and also 2 parathyroids had to be removed and they were hoping that they did the right thing in taking the chance of leaving the other 2. The dr.s all told me that they did the best they could, I went 6 months without any thymeds and when the testing came up again in 6 months time, I still had ca but was sent to Boston to a thyroid oncologist specialist surgeon and he proceeded to do the TT and was able to save my remaining 2 parathyroids because he thought everything looked good in that area.
Now, for your question about calcium and Vit. D, I have been taking 1500 mg. of calcium every day since this surgery, and my calcium also contains the Vit. D that I need. Have been taking this since the 2nd surgery every day since July 31, 1996, and the endo is very pleased that I am getting enough Vit. D also as that helps the calcium go to your bones. As you know, it is very important to take the calcium not all at once, but over the course of the day--I take 500 mg. of calcium 3 x's a day to satisfy my need for the replacement. So far, so good, and no repercussions or problems. I can't say this will be the solution forever, but for the almost 10 years it has done me well. I would hazard a guess that you probably are taking even more calcium???
I will say that you probably will have a problem with your bones though if you haven't been put on a bone density med for making the bones stronger. I don't know your age and if you've had a bone density test or not, but anybody on thymeds should be aware that the meds can have a tendency to make the bones brittle, that's why it's important to keep up with that phase of your treatment as well as the replacement of the Vit. C with D. I have also been on the FOSAMAX for almost 10 years, and I was just on the edge of osteo but not into it yet, but my endo didn't want to wait until the bones got worse, so he put me on it knowing the situation. If you haven't been approached with this, you should probably question your dr., and he will know just by the results of your bone density.
I wish you well in your health and hope that you don't have any upcoming problems to contend with with the parathyroid removal. They also have transplants for the parathyroids and one girl that I know of had this done--they dissect it and put it back if it's not affected with ca, and I think she has been having good luck with it. And just for the record--a coincidence that I also had pappilary with follicular variant, the same as you mentioned. Everybody is different and it is lifelong treatment, so wishing you well and hope you let us know how your doing.
Bea
I had 2 parathyroid glands removed with my surgery. This is the first time I am hearing about calcium though.I was 20 when I had my surgery,do you think they didn't say anything because of my age ( I am 37 now) Should I be worried? What can you tell me?
Jenn
Jen
Hi Spiritbodynsoul,
A bone density test basically measures the amount of bone mass that you have.