Does anyone know anything about thyroidectomy??

[skeeter42]

I posted a question about 2 hours ago and just wondering if anyone out there had any answers concerning thyroidectomy and the problems regulating the medicine??

[Totie]

I had a TT done back in 1994, it took a year to figure out what dosage i should be on, but they finally did. I was on 200 mcg for the last 12 years. Never had any problems (maybe sleeping), nor did i turn hypo. I felt just fine, but having problems now, but that is a long story.  Once they figure out what dosage you should be on you go back to normal, at least I did for 12 years. Everyone is different how long it will take and how they will react to medicine.

[skeeter42]

Hello, I had a total thyroidectomy and was put on 100mcg of synthroid the very next day.  My biggest concern was if I should take my medicine before I went and got my blood drawn for the first time after the surgery???  I didnt' take it and I got my blood work done this morning so waiting for results.  I don't know what the normal ranges should be for the tsh.  That is the only test that I was given.  I still have a lot of terrible symtoms such as fatigue, nervousness, aches and pains, etc.  Do you know what the normal tsh should be?  As far as the incision.....for only being under a month...it looks great.  It is a little sore but other than that my problems are still the symptoms.  I haven't even been back to work yet as they cause me too many problems.  Sleeping is definietely a problem for me as well.  I just hope this blood work shows me something or else I will go crazy!!!!  

[Lagaan666]

I am not sure of your question - are you wondering about a partial or a total thyroidectomy?  I had a partial (suspected cancer but it was not) and recall the recovery to be painful.  I had a lot of insomnia - my doctor kept offering pills saying that insomnia is one of the problems with thyroids....a friend of mine asked how I was taking my synthroid.  Her doctor had suggested she take her Synthroid every morning before her feet hit the floor - I didn't know this before, but your body has a natural surge of levothryroxine in the morning when you first get up.  By taking the Synthroid upon awakening, you are giving your body what it would naturally receive.  Or so I was told.  I switched to taking my Synthroid in the mornings as suggested and the insomnia was resolved.  However, stressful situations bring it right back (thryoid issue?  who knows but it seems related to me.).  I have done better since the surgery - once they got my thyroid function levels straight.  However life stresses seem to throw things back out of whack more easily - when in the middle of life changes I have to pay a lot of attention to my diet and exercise (to keep from gaining weight) and I have to work hard to get needed sleep.  It took me about 6 months after surgery to feel "right" again and it was a couple of years before the incision area felt okay.  I found that putting my incision area directly under the warm shower helped with stiffness and pain in the mornings.  Hope this helps.  

[skeeter42]

Hello, and thanks for answering.  I don't think I was afraid of the surgery but how I was going to feel afterwards.  I was sure hoping to feel a lot better than what I"m feeling now that is for sure.  I don't feel good at all.  I still have so many symptoms that I can't even go back to work.  I got my blood work done this morning so I'm hoping that it will show something.  I didn't take my medicine so we will see how that turns out????  Didn't know rather to or not.  Hope you are doing well and they get your medicine straightened out before long.  This is a terrible thing, huh?  I guess other people out there have it a lot worse off than us!!

[skeeter42]

Hello, thank you for answering me.  I had mine done on the 28th of February.  I got my blood work done this morning so I guess I will find out tomorrow what the levels are.  I'm really having so many problems and just hope it is getting the medicine regulated if not than I don't know what to do.  Being sick is no fun.  But I appreciate you answering me.   My surgery went really well too and I'm very pleased with the way the scar looks.  You can hardly even see it.  I just want the rest of my body to feel goood!!!  Hope it is soon!!!

Thanks again and take care!!

[KJ5854]

I had total thyroidectomy 7 weeks ago.  My surgery and recovery went well.  Two weeks after surgery I was started on 125 mcg of Synthroid.  I just had my first blood tests and my TSH is way too low.  It is .0082.  My endo wants it at a minimum of .4.   So she is reducing my medicine to 112 mcg.   I get my blood tested again in two months and then adjustments, if necessary will be made from there.

I haven't felt totally like myself the last month.  I've been more wired and jittery.  I haven't been able to get to sleep at night until 1:00 or 2:00 am and then since I have to get up at 6:45 am I'm tired all day but again can't sleep if I lay down to nap.  My endo says having a TSH that low can cause sleeplessness.  I'm hoping the decrease in my meds will help all this.

[corduroy1975]

Hi there, thought I'd post a reply b/c I know what it's like when you're waiting and no one replies.  However, this site is very good and there are some very helpful and dedicated posters.  

Anyhow, I had a TT and was very afraid of how I'd feel without this organ and whether the meds would be hard to regulate.  I was initally started on 100 mg of Synthroid.  I felt quite emotional/irritable for a couple of weeks after, but I wasn't sure if it was just from the trauma of the surgery and the cancer diagnosis.  I have since had blood work and my TSH level was at 4.85.  Apparently they want it less than .02 so I have a long ways to go.  My Synthroid was bumped up to 125, but the doctor figures it will have to go to 175-200.  Right now I'm experiencing insomnia and major night sweats.  I've had to rely on some sleep aids.  

I hope this somewhat answers your question.  The doctor did say to me they have a good idea about where to start people and then adjust it from there.  

Good luck to you

[utahmomma]

I couldn't find your question anywhere but did find a posting on your journal.  I posted an answer there.