[genuinruby]

#1018414

It is my understanding that prior to a thyridectomy a patient must take potassium iodide drops. For aprox. 9 -10 days. Is this the norm? Also, what would happen if a patient started taking the drops and then the surgery was cancelled…will there be damage to the thyroid? Do these drops render the thyroid from working?? Will that make a patient hypo before their surgery?

[Bobbi]

#1064626

I did some quick research online — so the following information may not be completely accurate genuineruby, but it jibes with what I thought might be the reason, so I will pass it along. I think, though, that your best bet is to talk directly with the doctor if you want completely accurate answers.

There is a danger of thyroid storm, during ANY type of surgery when we are hyperthyroid. Operating on the thyroid itself can somewhat increase that danger. Potassium iodide is given to saturate the thyroid cells with iodine before the surgery, and this, for whatever reason, SUPPRESSES the thyroids ability to release thyroxin (T4) temporarily. So, it helps to prevent thyroid storm from occurring during the surgery.

It is not a radioactive substance, but more of a concentrated form of the iodine we get in table salt, I think. So there’s no reason to suspect that it would damage the thyroid. What it probably would do though (a guess) if you were to cancel the surgery, would be to provide more fuel for the hyperthyroid flame — I would expect to go more hyper for a while before the excess iodine that the thyroid would make into hormone would be used up.

[genuinruby]

#1064627

Thanks Bobbi, I had looked around online and didn’t find a satifactory answer, LOL-you must have a better search engine than me. I had asked the pharmasist, and she really couldn’t tell me. She referred me to ask the doctor, which I will next time I am in there, but I needed to know TODAY. I have finally got the courage to schedule the surgery, got the drops, and now there is a crisis going on at my work that has made me consider postponing. Thanks again for your quick reply.

[lhc11]

#1064628

Hi there — as far as I know, it *is* the norm to take the potassium iodide for 9-10 days before surgery. I took it 3 times a day for 10 days. The explanation my surgeon’s nurse gave me (though I’m sure Bobbi’s information is also correct) is that it makes the thyroid less "vascular" and so easier for the surgeon to see what he’s doing. So taking it made me feel a little like a lamb preparing for slaughter, I have to say ” title=”Confused” /> — but then again, my surgery only took 45 minutes, so my guess is it really helps. My big advice for whenever you go ahead with things is to do what my nurse suggested: mix the drops in a full glass of cranberry juice, and you won’t taste them at all (though you will get sick of cranberry juice). For the times I was away from my refrigerator’s gallon jug of juice, I got kids’ appple/cranberry juice boxes to carry around with me–very easy to squeeze the drops into the little hole where the straw goes, put the straw in, shake a little, and drink it down.

Good luck! I say, don’t postpone the surgery if you can possibly avoid doing so. I thought at one point about postponing mine and am so very glad I did not and that it’s behind me….

lhc11

[snelsen]

#1064629

Agree with lhc11. Try hard not to postpone the surgery! It is sooo easy to put work before everything, but they will all live, and you will be doing one more step toward better health and getting back to baseline. I also took the drop, and had the surgery, the explanations you got reflect my understanding of the indications for taking them.
Best wishes in your decision making! Do you already have sick time all arranged, etc? I am guessing that there is always the potential for a crisis at work. Hope you are able to proceed. shirley

[genuinruby]

#1064630

Thanks again everyone for tuning in. I did put my surgery on hold…I am holding at eurothyroid levels due to the last go-round with methimazole, my doctor agrees that I will never get balanced due to having the antibodies for both grave’s and hashimoto’s it has been nearly three years of trying. And you are all correct, some things are more important than work. My co-worker’s brother (they are very close) has brain cancer, and just as my appointment got close enough to start the drops, he was put on morphine and Hospice has stepped in… we can’t both be gone at the same time. More importantly, I don’t want to rush back to work when I may not feel up to it. I feel good about the decision, and when I talked to the sugeons scheduling aide, she said it was not a good idea to start the drops and not follow thru with a surgery. On the bright side…I am all ready to do it…got the surgeon, got the drops, will feel good about taking time away from work, when things get back to normal. Thanks again.

Ruby in Reno

[lhc11]

#1064631

That does sound like the right decision for you, and very kind/thoughtful of you vis-a-vis your co-worker. Now you can just look forward to becoming one of the people who posts about how well surgery went…. ” title=”Cool” />

lhc11

[snelsen]

#1064632

we are strong! We are women! We think for ourselves. Gosh, genuineruby, cheers to you! My post re working related to some deadline that came up, but this is a whole different plane and situation. That does sound like the right decision for you, especially given the circumstance of your co-worker’s brother, and the feeling that you would have to rush back to work.
I am sure you will sleep well tonight!
shirley

[genuinruby]

#1064633

I guess I was very "in tune". I would have had surgery this past Monday had I not postponed for my co-workers situation, she lost her brother yesterday, I am so glad I postponed…but, now, the soonest I can be rescheduled is nearly 6 weeks away.
*sigh* ah well….I am sure there is a reason. LOL

[cynthia]

#1064634

I just had surgery monday and asked my dr if I needed to take iodine he said no I did fine quess it is up to the dr. good luck

[genuinruby]

#1064635

Cynthia, the potassium iodide drops are taken prior to surgery to prepare the gland for cutting on. My doctor said it reduced the risk of a thyroid storm during or after the surgery. This is a different from "iodine" which is used as a nutritional supplement. Glad to hear you are doing so well after surgery, it gives me encouragement. ” title=”Very Happy” />

Ruby in Reno

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