Flu-like symptoms after total thyroidectomy

[loveblue]

Hi, everyone.  I'm new here, so go easy on me.  : )  I had a total thyroidectomy (very large, non-cancerous goiter) in late August 2006.  The surgery went fine and I was having a 'normal' post-op recovery until two weeks after the surgery.  For the last five weeks I have been experiencing flu-like symptoms that last most of the day, until early evening.  When the flu-like symptoms end, they are replaced by hot flash-type symptoms.  (I'm post menopausal).  

Before the surgery, I had hyperthyroidism - severe fatigue, nervousness, very dry and itchy skin, problems concentrating, very fast heart rate, plus heart beat very hard, so hadn't had a restful nights sleep in about 8 months.  All problems except skin dryness are gone, but the constant flu-like symptoms are preventing me from returning to work.  I am currently taking 100 mcg of Levothyroxine, which my endo wants to increase to 125, but my primary care doctor feels I may already be over-medicated.  I am also taking 2 500 mg calcium tablets daily, in addition to drinking about 16 oz of 2% milk per day.  I'm also experiencing sharp stomach pains and loose stools about 5 days a week.  My post-op thyroid levels are now in normal range, but just barely.

I will be seeing my primary care physician within the next week, but I am really getting concerned about the daily flu-like symptoms.  Anyone ever experience anything like this post-TT surgery?

[loveblue]

Thanks so much for getting back to me!  Just knowing someone understands what I'm going through helps alot!  From your post, I can see that I'm going to have to educate myself on my numbers.  (Thanks for giving me info on what I should be looking for once I get a copy of my latest blood work test results).

Since the first week or so post-op went so well, I just thought I'd continue my recovery with no complications.  I should know by now that life is rarely that easy.  Since medication didn't help my thyroid condition, surgery was pretty much my only option.  One thing has gone very well though, which I have to remind myself of much more often - my heart rhythm has gone back to normal - and I'm sleeping like a baby again.  

Again - thanks for your very helpful information.  I will post again with the info I get from my test results!  

Janice  : )  

[Rozier]

I am so sorry you are having such a difficult time. I had a T. Thyroidectomy in July 06. I am still experiencing flu-like symptoms. I am also unable to work. MD doesn't understand completly why. I am taking 88 mcg of Levothyroxine. Blood work done today revealed that I am hyper with a TSH of 0.25. He wants me to start 75 mcg tomorrow and add 5 mg of Cytomel. I don't think I am converting T4 over to T3. You might ask your MD about this. Levo is T4 and most people can convert it over to T3 but some people do not and feel much better when they add T3. I would like to know what your numbers are. It sounds to me that you are hyperthyroid and they need to back down on your levo dose. The calcium may be causing your stomach pain??? (I have stomach pains too). By the way, have they checked your calcium levels. I would like to know what they are. I am not sure where this is coming from. I think your entire body is off after this kind of major surgery and it takes awhile to get everything adjusted again. Please know that there are others in the same boat but hopefully in time things will normalize. I regret having the surgery but I guess at some point you have to move on and try to do the best you can. No one ever told me it was going to be this bad.
Hang in there!!!
Leigh