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Post Thyroidectomy Questions
My biggest fear about having my thyroid removed was that I would inevitably gain weight. Everything I have read/heard has indicated this. I am 2 weeks post total thyroidectomy. My weight is exactly the same as it was the day before surgery. Also, I feel great, exactly the way I did before surgery. My question is:
Is it possible that I have started off on the perfect doseage of synthroid for me (100MCG) and I shouldn't expect to experience any of the dreaded symptoms one experiences when not on the right dose, or is it just too early to tell?
Could the reason I still feel so normal be because I still have my own thyroid hormone in effect in my body? If so, how long does that last for?
Is it possible that I have started off on the perfect doseage of synthroid for me (100MCG) and I shouldn't expect to experience any of the dreaded symptoms one experiences when not on the right dose, or is it just too early to tell?
Could the reason I still feel so normal be because I still have my own thyroid hormone in effect in my body? If so, how long does that last for?
I totally agree with redheadaussie,
I had mine (thyroid) out in april of 2012, had to go back for more surgery (more cancerous lymph nodes), and all the while I was paranoid (by reading the internet) that I was going to turn into a slug. It's now end of july (nearly 4 months), I'm healed up and haven't gained a pound. My relationship to proper diet and exercise remain intact. It took awhile for my body to get strong enough to push to where I was physically before my trials, but with patience (keeping in mind I just had my throat cut, organs removed, and radiation introduced internally) I was able to resume exercising and having fun. Don't overthink it. Just get/remain active and forget about the 'truama,' and instead remember the living. Of course if you gain or lose weight I suppose a degree of patience and persistence is in order, but If you're worried, just entering this, that you WILL uncontrollably gain weight, here's my story to show you that it might not necessarily be the case. My doctors all told me the best thing to do is trust yourself and remain positive. They also told me to STOP reading internet posts and focus on my own process to reenter my life.
Good luck!
I had mine (thyroid) out in april of 2012, had to go back for more surgery (more cancerous lymph nodes), and all the while I was paranoid (by reading the internet) that I was going to turn into a slug. It's now end of july (nearly 4 months), I'm healed up and haven't gained a pound. My relationship to proper diet and exercise remain intact. It took awhile for my body to get strong enough to push to where I was physically before my trials, but with patience (keeping in mind I just had my throat cut, organs removed, and radiation introduced internally) I was able to resume exercising and having fun. Don't overthink it. Just get/remain active and forget about the 'truama,' and instead remember the living. Of course if you gain or lose weight I suppose a degree of patience and persistence is in order, but If you're worried, just entering this, that you WILL uncontrollably gain weight, here's my story to show you that it might not necessarily be the case. My doctors all told me the best thing to do is trust yourself and remain positive. They also told me to STOP reading internet posts and focus on my own process to reenter my life.
Good luck!
I gained BEFORE RAI and TT (Graves and Hyper) and gained roughly 33lbs (16kgs).
I was 55kgs then went to 71kgs before RAI and TT last June.
Its been 11 months now and I havent gained any since RAI and TT and have lost 9kgs in the past 3-4 months without trying.
Once the levels stabalise, so too will the weight.
Enjoy life and take each day as it comes.
Redhead is perfectly correct in her posting (except for the stuffing yr face bit lol ).
I gained weight from high doses of anti-thyroid meds (blocking the thyroid) before RAI.
Most weight gain in Hypers is from anti-thyroid meds.
I was 55kgs then went to 71kgs before RAI and TT last June.
Its been 11 months now and I havent gained any since RAI and TT and have lost 9kgs in the past 3-4 months without trying.
Once the levels stabalise, so too will the weight.
Enjoy life and take each day as it comes.
Redhead is perfectly correct in her posting (except for the stuffing yr face bit lol ).
I gained weight from high doses of anti-thyroid meds (blocking the thyroid) before RAI.
Most weight gain in Hypers is from anti-thyroid meds.
I had the TT. I was down to 88 lbs before surgery (hyper/graves). I did not initially gain weight, but I did get back to a normal healthy weight.
Not everyone gets overweight, unless they do absolutely nothing and eat very unhealthy.
Once your dosage is right for you , you will be able to maintain a very healthy weight if you eat sensibily.
I have never been overweight...and I had my TT done almost 15 yrs ago.
Not everyone gets overweight, unless they do absolutely nothing and eat very unhealthy.
Once your dosage is right for you , you will be able to maintain a very healthy weight if you eat sensibily.
I have never been overweight...and I had my TT done almost 15 yrs ago.
I'm so glad to see all of these responses! I see that not all of us had
the entire thyroid removed, and that is a blessing for those who did
not. For me, in spite of being a 40 plus hour a week working mom, with two boys in the scouts and never off my feet until they were slipping under the sheets, I gained 30 pounds on my 5 foot frame. And all the other symptoms came along with it. I was lucky about one thing, even though I noticed a lot more hair falling out each day, I had a ton to start with, so nobody really saw a difference! :) I sincerely hope that each person just starting on this journey finds the best treatment possible for themselves.
the entire thyroid removed, and that is a blessing for those who did
not. For me, in spite of being a 40 plus hour a week working mom, with two boys in the scouts and never off my feet until they were slipping under the sheets, I gained 30 pounds on my 5 foot frame. And all the other symptoms came along with it. I was lucky about one thing, even though I noticed a lot more hair falling out each day, I had a ton to start with, so nobody really saw a difference! :) I sincerely hope that each person just starting on this journey finds the best treatment possible for themselves.
I think people put too much emphasis on the myth that you will automatically gain weight once you have thyroid surgery. Unless you start stuffing your face and sit around all day doing nothing, or your levels drop severely to a hypo state, it is unlikely to happen.
If you start focusing on gaining weight, I think it will become a paranoia issue! Our bodies naturally fluctuate weight throughout the month. I know I always gain up to 2 kilos around period time, but lose it within days of my period. That is mostly fluid gain which is perfectly normal.
I had a partial and was already overweight, I did not gain nor lose anything for 6 months! My basic TSH went from 2.75 with no meds to 11.0 on 100mcgs Oroxine (Australian form of Synthroid) Obviously my body still had to get rid of the normal thyroid hormone before I started the fake one! I still did not gain weight though, even though I was incredibly tired and hungry.
Your other half of the thyroid should be able to pick up the slack of the missing side. It does take at least 4 weeks for that to start though. It can go up a little then drop down as the body adjusts to the missing half.
It also depends highly on why you had your half removed, if you were hypo before surgery. Often there is no medication given unless you have been hypo before.
Yes, it is a little early yet to tell if you will get any symptoms..it can take up to 4 and often 6 weeks to notice any changes. Try not to focus too much on looking for symptoms though. Every ache or pain will inevitable questioned!
Good luck!
If you start focusing on gaining weight, I think it will become a paranoia issue! Our bodies naturally fluctuate weight throughout the month. I know I always gain up to 2 kilos around period time, but lose it within days of my period. That is mostly fluid gain which is perfectly normal.
I had a partial and was already overweight, I did not gain nor lose anything for 6 months! My basic TSH went from 2.75 with no meds to 11.0 on 100mcgs Oroxine (Australian form of Synthroid) Obviously my body still had to get rid of the normal thyroid hormone before I started the fake one! I still did not gain weight though, even though I was incredibly tired and hungry.
Your other half of the thyroid should be able to pick up the slack of the missing side. It does take at least 4 weeks for that to start though. It can go up a little then drop down as the body adjusts to the missing half.
It also depends highly on why you had your half removed, if you were hypo before surgery. Often there is no medication given unless you have been hypo before.
Yes, it is a little early yet to tell if you will get any symptoms..it can take up to 4 and often 6 weeks to notice any changes. Try not to focus too much on looking for symptoms though. Every ache or pain will inevitable questioned!
Good luck!
I, too, felt great after my TT on April 14 of this year. I was off work for about a month, and have just recently returned. I went to my endo a couple of weeks ago and he bumped me up to 125mcg of Synthroid simply because he said he wanted me to be a little hyperthyroid since I had been depleted of this precious hormone for so long. He wanted me to get a nice good dose in me. However, now that I am back at work I feel exhausted, I have an extremely hard time focusing and remembering words, my voice is still pretty bad due to the nerve being affected from the surgery and my neck, throat, and chest muscles get tight if I talk for more than an hour a day. I think I still need to rest, but I thought the exact same thing you did; that the doctor had given me the perfect amount of Synthroid and I thought "how cool is that?!" My suggestion would be to not be upset if your doctor's increase or decrease your dosage. It takes a while for your body to get back to a somewhat normal state...but I definitely encourage (and commend) your positive attitude!! Keep up the good work!
Crystal
Crystal
I also felt fine after my TT. My first TSH came back at 24 two months after surgery. I was bumped up to 125mcg Synthroid. Soon after that the weight started to climb, energy went to nil, arms falling asleep, etc. Since then I've been raised twice and am currently on 175mcg. I have to get another TSH next month.
Just keep taking the 100mcg and get your blood work done. It takes your body several months to figure out you've lost your thyroid and it is being "tricked" with the Synthroid.
I'm back on my low iodine diet required before my radiation simply because I lost 10 lbs in two weeks while on it!! Haven't lost any weight (yet) but I keep hoping!
Good luck!
Just keep taking the 100mcg and get your blood work done. It takes your body several months to figure out you've lost your thyroid and it is being "tricked" with the Synthroid.
I'm back on my low iodine diet required before my radiation simply because I lost 10 lbs in two weeks while on it!! Haven't lost any weight (yet) but I keep hoping!
Good luck!
In my own experience, I did feel really good after my surgery. It took quite a while for my weight to start climbing. But, I'm just one person, I bet there are a zillion people out there who had a different experience. Thought that by answering your post I could bump you back up to the top though! Good luck with your recovery.....:)
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