Thyroid

[Birdye]

I am scheduled for thyroid removal in January 2016. I want to know is it always a factor that you will gain weight that is hard to take off. I was diagnosed with hyper so I went from 278 to 194 as of today December 23-2015. I take methamazole now 3x per day and propanol 10m for both meds. My issue know is I get choked a lot and at times I gasp of breath it I drink a coke to fast and vitamins get stuck in my throat and I at times have a hard time swallowing. I want to know of anyone that has this same issue and can share there thoughts and out come


Thanks in advance Birdye

[Barb135]

It sounds like your thyroid may be swollen. Tilting the head forward will help as 1Amyyes said, but also you should make a point "not" to drink so fast that it makes you gasp for breath...

You can't live very long without thyroid hormones, so once you have your thyroid removed, you will be given a script for replacement thyroid hormones.  It depends on your doctor, but these hormones are, typically, in the form of a T4 medication taken once daily, to replace the hormones your thyroid make if you still had a thyroid...

After you've taken the hormones for approximately 6 weeks, you should be tested for thyroid hormones, Free T3 and Free T4, along with the pituitary hormone, TSH to determine whether your dose is adequate.  Your dosage will be determined, both, by symptoms and by the labs... if you have symptoms of hypothyroidism, which include, but are not limited to weight gain, constipation, muscle aches/pains, cold intolerance, hair loss, dry/itchy skin, etc that's an indication that your dosage is not high enough.  

Be sure your doctor tests the Free T3 and Free T4, "not" just TSH to determine your dosage...

Do you know if you have Graves Disease or if you might be in a hyper phase of Hashimoto's?

[1Amyyes]

Hi birdye  
I'm an RN and my only suggestion is to tilt your head forward (not backwards) when swallowing meds.  It can be a little strange at first try, but this actually opens up the esphogus and allows the meds to pass easily.    My sister is having a thyroidectomy in January as well, due to thyroid cancer.