[Sarahlee87]

#1060686

Hi,
I have been suffering with Graves since I was diagnosed at the age of 12. I have had horrible panic attacks on and off for years, weight gain/loss, brittle nails and hair, hot flashes, cold flashes, sweating, etc. I had my first baby 9 months ago and my thyroid was normal the entire pregnancy. However, about 6-8 weeks post baby I became extremely hyper with a TSH of .0006. I was shaking all the time and had horrible panic attacks. I couldn’t function and being a new mom, this was not an option!

I have decided to have a Total Thyroidectomy in early 2016. RAI is an option for me, but with the baby I would have to be away from him for 2 weeks which isn’t possible for me. I am looking for any feedback on life post TT and how you feel?

The surgeons, obgyns, etc. have all assured me that I will be able to have babies in the future, but I am scared. Fortunately, it was very easy for me to get pregnant with Graves. I don’t want the removal of my thyroid to cause fertility problems.

However, I need to do what is best for my body and for my family. I have lived with this misery for too long. Any advice or positive stories would be helpful! Thanks!

-One nervous mama

[Kimberly]

#1184129

Hello and welcome! We have quite a few regular posters who have chosen thyroidectomy as their treatment option, so hopefully, they will chime in.

The biggest issue with fertility will be making sure that your levels are normal and stable so that you aren’t hyper or hypo. With TT, doctors are generally extremely careful to monitor this closely. In most cases, the surgeon will do the initial monitoring and then will turn things over to your endo or primary care doc.

Another consideration will be making sure you have a surgeon in your area (or that you can travel to one) who does a LOT of thyroidectomies. The risk of complications is much lower in the hands of an experienced surgeon.

Wishing you all the best!

[Liz1967]

#1184130

Life post TT is totally normal. Take your pill in the morning, get labs every six months to a year and you are good to go. Takes a couple of months to get the perfect dose but an experienced surgeon knows pretty much what dose to start you on and then it is a matter of fine tuning within the normal range. My only regret is that I waited seven months on methimazole before having the surgery. Wish I had had it at the very beginning. Make sure you have a surgeon that does a lot of them so he is able to safely remove all of your thyroid without leaving remnants. That’s it. If I didn’t have the eye disease, I would totally forget I have Graves.

[snelsen]

#1184131

I had thyroid toxicosis (the old name for Graves) when my baby was 2-3 months old. I was 24. Had a thyroidectomy, was great. Continued to breast feed. Agree with Liz. Got thyroid eye disease 5 decades later.
The best advice is to get a surgeon who does lots of thyroidectomies. I suggest you ask. 50 year year is a lot.
Shirley

[snelsen]

#1184132

Since we are not docs, you can ask them. But I had two more children, by choice, after my thyroidectomy. I think getting pregnant is unrelated, except to be sure you are euthyroid, neither hypo or hyper.

Shirley

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