[Ski]

#1063357

Hi Steve,

This is actually something that’s not unusual after thyroidectomy ~ the parathyroids are located on the "wingtips" of the thyroid, and they control calcium levels in the body. They are NOT removed during the surgery, but it’s not unusual for them to have a kind of "reaction" to the trauma of surgery, and calcium levels may fluctuate briefly. It’s proper that the hospital keep her admitted until they level out. In VERY RARE cases, parathyroid function can be affected longterm, but the likelihood is that this is transient and will correct itself. There are 4 parathyroids, but we only need one to correctly regulate the body’s calcium levels, and the surgeon can take one or more of them (they are easy to see) and "stick" them elsewhere in the neck if they want to remove ALL thyroid tissue, then the parathyroids will function correctly in that location, rather than on the thyroid. Have a talk with the doctor to see what they think, I’m sure that will ease your mind.

[stevep]

#1063358

Thanks for the quick response Ski. I am pretty sure that they removed all thyroid tissue as there was a lump on it that was unknown as to whether it was cancerous or not. I know that we had discussed a partial removal but we decided on the full removal because of that lump. We didn’t want to have further surgery if the biopsy results came back positive for C. I just wasn’t sure as to why the calcium levels would fluctuate so drastically after the surgery unless the para’s were damaged or removed. Not being a Dr, I have no frame of reference or experience in this area. I am simply a worried husband who just wants his wife home so that she begin the long process of recovery and getting her body back to "normal" after having had to deal with Graves for the last 3-4 years.

Thanks

[snelsen]

#1063359

Hi Steve, welcome, and I am so glad you got a quick response from Ski! It is stressful to not have a complete understanding and familiarity with the medical world! Everything Ski said, is, of course, spot on correct.
I would like to add that after my thyryoidectomy, my calciums levels were elevated for a few days, also. This is not uncommon, and usually resolves. Sounds like you have very good attentive docs, but perhaps there was not enough time taken to reassure you about this. I think you will find that it will be a non-issue in the very near future.

I don’t know if your wife has been on this site in the past, but it is very helpful for information and reassurance.
It might be very helpful for both of you to go to the search box, try "surgery," thyroid surgery" a few combinations. There are several good posts about the post op course, some of them are quite recent.

Best wishes to you with the path report. Most nodules are benign, as the doc may have already told you. But one very typical comment docs say to patients who may have a papillary cancer, which is quite rare, is:
"You have the best cancer there is to have. IT is very treatable. You can probably read that, or may have heard it from a doc already.

Sorry you have dealt with Graves’ for such a long time. It has been a difficult road for all of us.
Do write again with more questions, further updates.
Shirley

[stevep]

#1018219

Hi there. I am looking for someone who might have had an experience with a dropping calcium level after a complete thyroidectomy. My wife just had her’s removed on Wednesday and her calcium level has dropped signifigantly since last night. Enough of a drop apparently that they aren’t going to release her from the hospital today. If anyone can share their experiences with me I would really appreciate it.

Thanks

[love2cook]

#1063360

Hi I am a new to Graves and am having severe leg cramps. We called the Drs. office and were told it could be an electrolye issue. Any suggestions.? I drank some Gatorade today, but still hurt.I feel like I call the Dr. everyday with a new question. Feel a bit like a pest. My endo is out sick this week and seems like many different Docs. are advising me, don’t really feel that any of them know me. My reg. Endo is in the Hospital. Ugh. Only met him 2 weeks ago.
I am scheduled for surgery at the end of the month but my levels are high right now. Hoping for the best.
I like this site alot. Many friends mean well, but don’t get how I am feeling. I keep telling them I am just not myself. I keep telling myself that it will get better eventually.

[Bobbi]

#1063361

Yes, love2cook, you should plan on getting well again. Thankfully, there are medications to either control thyroid output, or provide us with a reasonable replacement to it if we have to have our thyroids removed.

As to the leg cramps — those should go away once your hormone levels are controlled again inthe normal zone. I’m not sure why they occur, but I, too, experienced severe cramping at one point in time. I took warm baths, and did lots of stretching which helped a bit, if not completely.

[snelsen]

#1063362

Try drinking tonic water. It has quinine in it. The standard drug for occassional leg and foot cramps for years has been quinine, but it is not available in the US anymore. But I found tonic water really helps.
Shirley

[love2cook]

#1063363

Thanks for the Tips. I have been drinking Tonic water but still have cramps. Maybe I need to drink more.

[genuinruby]

#1063364

This message is in response to the original post -stevep-
I am now 8 weeks post op and I also had a serious drop in calcium right after surgery. I was placed on 1500 mg 4 times a day of calcium (he said to just take tums). It was six weeks before my levels reached the low end of the normal range. But they are steadily climbing. I have read that it can take a couple of months for the shock to the parathyroid glands to wear off. It is very rare to have permanent damage. A note of caution, replacement meds and calcium must not be taken close together, and your doctor will most likely give you strict instructions regarding this. On a happy note, I can’t believe how good I feel…even though I am having a little trouble getting my tsh in ‘the zone". I still feel pretty darn amazing! And your sweetie will too, soon you will both be looking in the rear-view mirror at this spot in your lives.

Happy healing!

Ruby in Reno

[Bobbi]

#1063365

Hi, Ruby:

I am so glad to hear that you are feeling so much better!!

[teacherhelper]

#1063366

I used to have leg cramps a lot. Found out that folic acid helps so have been taking folic acid every night. It’s just a little pill that I take. Leg cramps are so much better…rare occurance now! It’s an easy thing to do and not very expensive. Hope this might help!
Joanie

[Author]

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