[jaqeinquotation]

#1059355

Saw my endo last week and though the recent blood work was good/normal/balanced, he confirmed that they (blood levels) may never stabilize and suggested that I remove the thyroid. He said I would be hypo and have to take meds for the rest of my life. I agreed to the referral and am waiting for the appt to hear what the surgeon has to say.

I don’t know what to do…a bit confused. I don’t think the thyroid in my neck is big or even noticeable but then again I’m not an endo.
If I do this surgery, will I feel normal again? Hypo-does that mean that I will be weak all the time and will being hypo cause me to gain alot of weight?
What about my voice, will I still be able to sing or will I lose my voice?

I still have to deal with my eye issue, still trying to cope with the looks. Every time I think its getting better….another issue comes up. Most recently, a constant glare in my sight as if I’ve been staring a light bulb too long. everything and every one around me are blurry

sound familiar?

[Bobbi]

#1174264

Hi,

I have been living on synthroid for the past 15 years or so. I feel fine. As do most of the friends I have who have had their thyroids removed (several of them for thyroid cancers) and who are living on synthroid. Synthroid is chemically identical to thyroxin (T4), which is converted into T3 in various parts of the body, and is used in cell metabolism. “Hypothyroid” is technically a term used to mean that the body has too little thyroid hormone in it. If you supplement with replacement hormones like synthroid, you become “euthroid,” i.e. you have normal levels of thyroid in your body.

The surgery does run the risk of damaging the nerve that services the vocal cords. There are some precautions that surgeons can take to prevent this, but it is one of the possible adverse side effects of surgery. The key is really to have a well-qualified thyroid surgeon remove your thyroid. Someone who does lots of thyroidectomies every year, and who has a low rate of adverse consequences.

There is controversy about weight issues. Some folks cannot lose weight. Others, like me, are at a normal weight if we eat properly and get the right amount of exercise. (I sometimes lapse.)

I also had the eye disease, so I sympathize. Keep in mind that it does go away. And I found that I looked better if I smiled (yes, I did some “mugging” in front of the mirror), so I began to fret about it less, and smile more. ; )

Take care,

[PolishTym]

#1174265

Best wishes on your decision. My weight stabilized through the process, which may be a product of getting the whole system more in order. From what I’ve read and experienced, getting the right dose can be tricky for awhile but important to righting the body.

My surgery was quick and easy. I found it helpful to interview my surgeon before choosing. You should feel really comfortable with someone who does this to you.

[wenaroo]

#1174266

I had my thyroidectomy in 2000 because I could not stabilize with PTU. It was the best decision I ever made, every day after the surgery I noticed something new and different (good different) and thought, “Wow, THAT is hormone controlled too!”
My surgeon left a thin slice of thyroid covering each parathyroid to minimize disturbances there. The parathyroid controls calcium distribution in the body, and the first night I woke up with bad muscle spasms in my back, but the muscles relaxed with constant massage. I recommend having someone on hand in case you need this service! After the operation I also noticed my voice went down about half an octave (but no sore throat or anything), slowly it moved back to its original range, and after a year or two I was back to singing in the church choir.
As to medication, at first I had a bit of trouble remembering to take my meds, I think in part because I was resistant to the whole “medicine-for-life” concept. I notice when I miss a dose 2-3 days running and it really sucks because it takes 2 weeks to a month to get back on track – so be consistent!!!
Even when hyperthyroid I had weight issues (go figure, the one symptom I wish I had I didn’t get), and immediately after the surgery I gained about 5 pounds, but when I concentrate on eating right and exercising I am back to my original weight.
As to the eye issue, it really seems to exist seperately from the thyroid stuff. I’ve noticed that stress will sometimes make my eyes bulge more, but sometimes they get better or worse without any stimulus I can make out. I love the idea of smiling more to crinkle your eyes and make them smaller! Right now I work in an elementary school and kids’ candid questions have forced me to come to terms with having bulging eyes. Although I still get a faint twinge of feeling abnormal whenever its brought up, I’ve learned to maximize the situation by scaring kids by making my eyes bulge out even more.

[Author]

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