[SueAndHerZoo]

#1060039

Hi there.
Tomorrow is my surgical consult and if he agrees I’m a candidate I’ll need to make a decision about surgery very soon. I’m trying to weigh the pros and cons of surgery versus continuing to use medication and I haven’t really found any “cons”. (Probably because I’m so sick and tired of being sick and tired that I am hoping that surgery will be my answer).

Are there any disadvantages (short term or long term) to not having a thyroid? I realize that it regulates many, many systems in our body but it seems like the replacement hormone that people take after a TT take over the job quite nicely. Is that true or are there some things a thyroid can do that artificial replacements can’t?

Any long-term risks to not having a thyroid? I will, of course, ask the surgeon but I’m not sure how much he’ll talk about my endocrine system…. I’m assuming his specialty is in just the “surgery” part.

Sue

[Boomer]

#1179831

Good luck tomorrow Sue!

Now you don’t really expect a straight answer from me did ya?

The advantages to having no thyroid:

1. One less thing to go wrong.

2. One less body part to be mad at.

3. Instant weight loss- as soon as it is removed it’s weight will be subtracted from one’s body weight.

4. No more late-night discussions with it which cut into one’s sleeping time.

5. A cool scar that you can tell folkss you got in a knife fight back when you were an enforcer for the mob. Instant street cred.

6. You never have to explain where one’s thyroid is ever again. If they press you see number 9 below.

7. You no longer have to cook for it.

8. You can have the surgeon stitch it up to make a little pouch to keep your keys in- never misplace them again.

9. You can keep it in a jar of formeldahyde on your coffee table. Great conversation piece.

10. You can finally tell it, on the way into surgery: “Nyeah nyeah I win!”

I’ll be here all week. Don’t forget to tip your waitstaff. (don’t worry- I won’t quit my day job.)

Let us know how things go tomorrow please.

Courage and health to you,

Boomer

[Raspberry]

#1179832

I think the biggest risk of not having a thyroid would be if you are a poor converter of T4 to T3 and don’t have access to a good selection of endocrinologists. Most people who seem unhappy and feel hypothyroid after their TT’s have trouble with their T3 values staying too low even when their synthroid is increased because of conversion issues. It seems more and more doctors are prescribing T3 though, so it’s not mission impossible to find a doc who is wise to this issue. Good luck tomorrow!

And Boomer, that thyroid in a jar would sure be a good conversation starter! Perhaps good to take on dates.

[Kimberly]

#1179833

@Boomer – Had to LOL at your list!

@Sue – Most of the patients I’ve had contact with were pleased with their choice of surgery as a treatment option. But, of course, your mileage may vary! For the few who were not happy with the decision to pursue surgery, the biggest complaints I’ve heard have been (1) difficulty getting stabilized on thyroid replacement hormone and (2) issues with calcium levels. For most patients with calcium issues, lifelong supplementation corrects the problem, but I’ve heard from a couple of people who had ongoing issues with numbness/tingling. Once you make this choice you don’t get a “do-over” – so you are definitely on the right track to look at ALL the pros and cons!

[Gabe]

#1179834

Hi Sue…I think you’ll find your surgeon is not the one to answer this important question. At least mine isn’t. They are excellent surgeons, but once they do their thing, the treatment turned immediately over to the Endo. Once mine checks my surgical site on Monday I suspect I won’t ever see him again.

I don’t have answers to your questions and obviously it’s too late for me. Just don’t want you expecting much from your surgeon in this regard.

Raspberry makes good points. I’m just hoping not to have conversion issues and thankful there are options if that’s the case.

As Kimberly says make sure you probe your surgeon in his experience with parathyroids. If these are permanently damaged in the surgery, that’s when you’ll have the calcium issues she mentions. I have not had that experience but started taking a calcium supplement as a precaution.

And of course Mr. Boomer has the best answers!

Good luck tomorrow!

Karen

[SueAndHerZoo]

#1179835

Thanks, Raspberry. I never really bothered to learn what T3 and T4 are and how they work …. I just check their levels on my monthly blood sheets. Guess I better get educated before I take the plunge. After all, we are our own best doctors.

Thanks, Kimberly, for the perfect information. I read your first sentence and was ready to ask what the UNHAPPY ones said, but there you were, posting my answers before I asked.

Hi Karen. Yes, I’m expecting to ask a lot of questions but to get only a very few answers, but I’m still going to ask. From what my referring endo tells me, this group of thyroid surgeons have done thousands and thousands of TT’s and supposedly have had no parathyroid issues. Not sure if I buy that, but it’s nice to hear.

Boomer, Boomer, Boomer….. you never let us down, even when you yourself aren’t feeling great. You’re priceless. I think numbers 8 and 9 are my favorites, and I am making a mental note to definitely do #10 if I opt for surgery. I will try to make it my last words before the anesthesia.

I’ll let you know how the consult goes.
Sue

[Stymie]

#1179836

Hi again sue!

There was some discussion on here a while back about TT AND TED. Just generally speaking, we were wondering if the antibodies would attack your eyes since there is no thyroid to attack. (After TT).

I would think it would be worth asking your endo or surgeon their opinion on the matter.

I personally don’t know if there’s any truth to the matter but I would love to hear what the drs think.

Diane

[snelsen]

#1179837

Good subject to pursue. I understand that they are different antibodies.
Shirley

[Kimberly]

#1179838

Based on the guidance from the American Thyroid Association and American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, the concern about eye symptoms worsening post-treatment is related to RAI, but not to thyroidectomy.

In fact, for patients with severe or sight-threatening TED, either anti-thyroid drugs or surgery are listed as the preferred treatment options.

[Author]

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