[Talley]

#1059994

Hi there.

So I decided to take my husband to my endo appointment today and he got an ear-full about what is going on. My labs are still bad – really bad. The endo wants me to have RAI but since I just had two CTs with contrast they can’t do it. So, since I am going in on the 18th to have the tumor removed below my thyroid he thinks I should have the thyroid out then too…or I can wait and do RAI at a later date – problem would be if I have complications and need it out sooner than they can preform RAI and I have to have a second surgery. And, if the tumor is cancerous then it would be better to have had the thyroid out…

Guess I’ve been doing some “wishful” thinking…thinking that my thyroid (or immune system) will just fix itself and this will all go away. When my husband heard that if my levels don’t improve I could die, he was pretty adamant that we do something.

I’m honestly just worried about the weight gain and lack of energy. I workout daily and worry that my energy level will change or that the new levels will be so off that I gain a bunch of weight…at 47 it’s hard to get it off…

My endo did say that he will start me on a “higher dose” of Synthroid since I am used to being hyper in the hopes he’ll get it worked out quickly…

Thanks to all of you posting about your recent TT’s – it is very helpful to know what to expect!!

We are off to Italy Thursday morning, so I am going to stop obsessing about this since I’ve made a decision and have a fantastic trip eating (and drinking) my way through the country:)

[SueAndHerZoo]

#1179477

Congratulations on your decision…… I think it’s the right one. You’re going in for surgery anyway – may as well be “once and done”.

I, too, am very close to taking the plunge to surgery, but the one thing I worry about, like you, is being chronically too hypo. But then I wonder . . . if they can raise and lower our levels with anti-thyroid drugs, I imagine they can do the same with the thyroid hormones, right? So what’s to stop us from saying, “I feel better at a higher level – raise me up!” ?

Enjoy your trip and trust that it will all work out the way it’s supposed to.
Sue

[snelsen]

#1179478

OK! You will hear from others, but rest assured, that after you have the TT, recover a bit, Synthroid is started, you will begin to BELIEVE that life as you know it can happen again.

The concern about weight gain is pretty much a non-concern, in my opinion.
Heck, when people, and definitely women, approaching their 40’s and 50’s , and some in their 30’s, begin to feel sluggish and tired, if the doc thinks of doing a thyroid panel, the answer will be similar to, “well you thyroid is a little low now, and this is easily remedied by taking supplemental thyroid hormone>” It is just one more of these aging things, and/or it simply is happening.” Then women begin a thyroid hormone supplement and feel like themselves again.

After a TT, the endos and you should already have a plan (coordinated wtih the surgeon) on when to begin Sythroid (or whatever you decide to take, this is what I take.) It may/may not need to be tweaked, either up or down, depending on labs, and how you feel.

Unless excess weight has been a lifelong stand-alone problem outside of Graves’, I don’t think this a concern to have when having a TT. This is my experience. I had my thyroidectomy in the late 1950’s, so that is almost 60 years of not having any issues with weight gain.
HyPO is as bad as hyPER, and if someone is in either state, the goal is to get out of it asap!

Now, others may have different experiences. You might enjoy reading adenure’s posts after her TT.

Sue’s conclusion in her post reflects almost everything I have been trying to say in my blathering-on way! They can do the same with thyroid, the raising and lowering, just as they do with ATD’s.

Have a marvelous trip!! Lots of friends here waiting for you when you return.
Shirley

[Kimberly]

#1179479

I know that this is a difficult decision, but hopefully, you can put this aside for a bit and enjoy all the food, drink, and scenery that Italy has to offer! Taking some time off from all the swirling thoughts will hopefully give you a better perspective when you get home. Take care!

[Gabe]

#1179475

Talley. Making a decision is one of the hardest parts of this journey. Sounds like you’ve made a good decision. Enjoy Italy and keep us posted. I plan to start my TT journal this week for my surgery on 5/31. I wish you the best!

Karen

[adenure]

#1179480

Hi!

You can do it, and you will be okay. I too am a big exercise nut and worried a lot about gaining weight. I had my TT 1 year ago almost (June 15th last year) and I haven’t gained any weight. I still exercise, but I will admit it’s not quite at the intensity of my pre-Graves self. I swim laps or do spinning (bike) 30-40 min. most days, but I don’t do any weight training anymore and I haven’t been to a 60 min. spin class. I probably could do it, but I view my exercise more as a way to be healthy and fit and not such a drive anymore- although, I do miss spin class and the weights. Maybe I’ll try again someday. I’m pretty busy though; I have 4 children (all boys!) and homeschool- so I’m active in other ways! Hee hee!

Have a great time Italy and try to stay positive, knowing that the TT will give you your health back and make you well again.

Also, I had my Synthroid increased once (from 100 mcg- my started dose to 112 mcg. 6 weeks after surgery). I’ve been on the 112 since and doing fine.

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