Thyroidectomy...
sunnymel126
Posts: 359 Member
Tell me about yours...
How many of you have had one and why? Was it because they found cancer or a different reason?
How many of you have had one and why? Was it because they found cancer or a different reason?
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Replies
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I had my thyroid out do to Cancer 5 years ago this month. Doing well. Just hard to loss the weight.
Deborah0 -
I had a complete thyroidectomy when I was 13 nearly ten years ago (end of 2002). I had cysts that were big enough to be noticeable, that came back incredibly fast (overnight) after drained. Doctors thought it may be cancer, or become cancer quickly, and felt it was best to take it out rather than continuously drain & biopsy. Wasn't cancerous, but I was still placed on high dose Levothyroxine as if it had been.
I've had plenty of problems since then, especially with the rest of my endocrine system (adrenals & ovaries), and even ended up in thyroidtoxicosis recently for being on too high a dosage for too long.
So...
Those are the reasons I had my thyroid removed. I don't recommend getting it out in the middle of puberty if you can :P 0 -
I had mine out a few weeks ago. I take medicine everyday now and feel great.0
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I was diagnosed w/ hyperthyroidism and graves disease April 2010 and was 4 months pregnant. My doctor was unable to control my thyroid levels w/ medication and was worried about hurting the baby by putting me on any more medication so they removed mine May 19, 2010. I was taken off work until after my daughters birth to give me time to get my thyroid and calcium levels figured out.0
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I had a full thyroidectomy two years ago due to some cysts and hyperthyroidism that didn't respond to any other treatment. The high levels were beginning to put my other organs in distress and I was only sixteen at the time and had already been struggling with it for four years, nothing ever worked so the doctors finally decided it was safer to take it out and supplement the hormones than it would be to continue trying different medications and treatments to slow it down.0
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I had a partial thyroidectomy in 2004, which was followed a month later with a full thyroidectomy. They found two different types of thyroid cancer in one 2cm nodule (Hurthle cell and follicular carcinomas).
Both surgeries were, by far, the most painless operations I've ever had (I've had seven abdominal/pelvic surgeries). In fact, I didn't even get the prescription filled for the narcotic painkillers that the doctor prescribed. I was back to work within 3 days after the first surgery. I had bronchitis following the second surgery, so I think was out of work for a week or so.0 -
I had my thyroid out do to Cancer 5 years ago this month. Doing well. Just hard to loss the weight.
Deborah
Hi Deborah, thank you for responding. Glad you are doing well! I may have to have mine removed. I just wanted to know who all out there had the procedure done and how you were feeling now.0 -
I had a complete thyroidectomy when I was 13 nearly ten years ago (end of 2002). I had cysts that were big enough to be noticeable, that came back incredibly fast (overnight) after drained. Doctors thought it may be cancer, or become cancer quickly, and felt it was best to take it out rather than continuously drain & biopsy. Wasn't cancerous, but I was still placed on high dose Levothyroxine as if it had been.
I've had plenty of problems since then, especially with the rest of my endocrine system (adrenals & ovaries), and even ended up in thyroidtoxicosis recently for being on too high a dosage for too long.
So... Those are the reasons I had my thyroid removed. I don't recommend getting it out in the middle of puberty if you can :P
That's tough to deal with so young. :flowerforyou:0 -
I had mine out a few weeks ago. I take medicine everyday now and feel great.
That's good you're feeling better!0 -
I was diagnosed w/ hyperthyroidism and graves disease April 2010 and was 4 months pregnant. My doctor was unable to control my thyroid levels w/ medication and was worried about hurting the baby by putting me on any more medication so they removed mine May 19, 2010. I was taken off work until after my daughters birth to give me time to get my thyroid and calcium levels figured out.
Wow! Glad you and your daughter were ok. Thank you for sharing. 0 -
I had a full thyroidectomy two years ago due to some cysts and hyperthyroidism that didn't respond to any other treatment. The high levels were beginning to put my other organs in distress and I was only sixteen at the time and had already been struggling with it for four years, nothing ever worked so the doctors finally decided it was safer to take it out and supplement the hormones than it would be to continue trying different medications and treatments to slow it down.
My friend had a very similar situation as yours. They didn't remove it but now she is on Armour medication?? and she seems to be responding really well to it.0 -
I had a partial thyroidectomy in 2004, which was followed a month later with a full thyroidectomy. They found two different types of thyroid cancer in one 2cm nodule (Hurthle cell and follicular carcinomas).
Both surgeries were, by far, the most painless operations I've ever had (I've had seven abdominal/pelvic surgeries). In fact, I didn't even get the prescription filled for the narcotic painkillers that the doctor prescribed. I was back to work within 3 days after the first surgery. I had bronchitis following the second surgery, so I think was out of work for a week or so.
Your situation seems similar to mine although I am waiting for my results. Mine is 2cm also. It seems like it isn't so bad after hearing all your stories and enlightening me. Thank you for sharing your personal stories ladies.0 -
Those of you that have had a full thyroidectomy, what was your recovery like and the scar? Surgery has been recommended to me by several doctors. I have hashimoto's and have a large goiter with no nodule, but some nodular type tissue that they're 'watching.' I've been trying to control it and the symptoms I have with hashimoto's with diet and excerise which has been helping, but it's still an issue. The medication part is no big deal to me since I'm already destined to be on it for the rest of my life anyway :ohwell:
I'll be further looking into surgery after my wedding in October, but since this thread popped up, I thought I'd ask.0 -
I had a total thyroidectomy in December last year.The reason was an enlarged thyroid nodule(benign) that was pressing on my windpipe making it hard to breathe.
I had the goitre for about 2 years (the reason for the goitre was unknown-it just happened) ,during this time all I had to do was monitor it. I didn't have any thyroid problems prior to that, so I didn't take medication(the doctor said it wouldn't make a difference in reducing the size anyway).
The operation was easy; the pain was comparable to a bad sore throat that went after 2 days and shoulder pain due to the fact that I was holding myself hunched ; two weeks later I was cooking Christmas dinner and everything was back to normal;
I was scared of course, but shouldn't have....no complications,except that my parathyroids still don't work very well(so calcium isn't absorbed well in my body) and I have to take supplements.
And now I'm taking Levothyroxine(for the rest of my life) and doing fine so far.0 -
I had a full thyroidectomy two years ago due to some cysts and hyperthyroidism that didn't respond to any other treatment. The high levels were beginning to put my other organs in distress and I was only sixteen at the time and had already been struggling with it for four years, nothing ever worked so the doctors finally decided it was safer to take it out and supplement the hormones than it would be to continue trying different medications and treatments to slow it down.
My friend had a very similar situation as yours. They didn't remove it but now she is on Armour medication?? and she seems to be responding really well to it.
Did your friend have the radioactive iodine treatment? It essentially shuts down the function of the thyroid - same effect as surgery, but non-invasive.0 -
Those of you that have had a full thyroidectomy, what was your recovery like and the scar? Surgery has been recommended to me by several doctors. I have hashimoto's and have a large goiter with no nodule, but some nodular type tissue that they're 'watching.' I've been trying to control it and the symptoms I have with hashimoto's with diet and excerise which has been helping, but it's still an issue. The medication part is no big deal to me since I'm already destined to be on it for the rest of my life anyway :ohwell:
I'll be further looking into surgery after my wedding in October, but since this thread popped up, I thought I'd ask.
Lol I am the queen of horror stories, but I'm very pale, so I still have a fairly noticeable pink scar 10 years later that appears very red in photographs. Also, believe it or not with my ultra pale skin, my scar keloided, and I got steroid injections in them over a year to reduce the scar tissue
Lots of people say they don't notice it much anymore, but I always still get the occasional, "Oh, did you get your thyroid out?" or worse, "Oh wow, what happened?!"0 -
I had a complete thyroidectomy when I was 13 nearly ten years ago (end of 2002). I had cysts that were big enough to be noticeable, that came back incredibly fast (overnight) after drained. Doctors thought it may be cancer, or become cancer quickly, and felt it was best to take it out rather than continuously drain & biopsy. Wasn't cancerous, but I was still placed on high dose Levothyroxine as if it had been.
I've had plenty of problems since then, especially with the rest of my endocrine system (adrenals & ovaries), and even ended up in thyroidtoxicosis recently for being on too high a dosage for too long.
So... Those are the reasons I had my thyroid removed. I don't recommend getting it out in the middle of puberty if you can :P
That's tough to deal with so young. :flowerforyou:
Thank you
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Lol I am the queen of horror stories, but I'm very pale, so I still have a fairly noticeable pink scar 10 years later that appears very red in photographs. Also, believe it or not with my ultra pale skin, my scar keloided, and I got steroid injections in them over a year to reduce the scar tissue
Lots of people say they don't notice it much anymore, but I always still get the occasional, "Oh, did you get your thyroid out?" or worse, "Oh wow, what happened?!"
Oh no! I'm so sorry to hear that you've had to go through that! I hope that maybe one day it won't be as noticeable for you. That is exactly why I was waiting until after my wedding! I have pretty pale skin too and a very long, slender neck so it'll be right there for everyone to see. If it is something need then I'll live with it, but I at least want pretty wedding pictures lol0 -
I used Palmers Cocoa Butter and you can not even see the scar.0
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I had a total thyroidectomy in December last year.The reason was an enlarged thyroid nodule(benign) that was pressing on my windpipe making it hard to breathe.
I had the goitre for about 2 years (the reason for the goitre was unknown-it just happened) ,during this time all I had to do was monitor it. I didn't have any thyroid problems prior to that, so I didn't take medication(the doctor said it wouldn't make a difference in reducing the size anyway).
The operation was easy; the pain was comparable to a bad sore throat that went after 2 days and shoulder pain due to the fact that I was holding myself hunched ; two weeks later I was cooking Christmas dinner and everything was back to normal;
I was scared of course, but shouldn't have....no complications,except that my parathyroids still don't work very well(so calcium isn't absorbed well in my body) and I have to take supplements.
And now I'm taking Levothyroxine(for the rest of my life) and doing fine so far.
I am not sure how long I have had the nodule since my family doctor was so incompetent or indifferent to my situation that it took me a long time to get properly diagnosed. (Even though I kept pressing to the fact that I eat a pretty normal amount of food and exercise regularly but fail to lose a pound) I did notice for a few years ago my voice has been getting raspier which alerted me to a thyroid condition. I am currently being prescribed Levothyroxine also. Glad to know it was a simple procedure.0 -
Those of you that have had a full thyroidectomy, what was your recovery like and the scar? Surgery has been recommended to me by several doctors. I have hashimoto's and have a large goiter with no nodule, but some nodular type tissue that they're 'watching.' I've been trying to control it and the symptoms I have with hashimoto's with diet and excerise which has been helping, but it's still an issue. The medication part is no big deal to me since I'm already destined to be on it for the rest of my life anyway :ohwell:
I'll be further looking into surgery after my wedding in October, but since this thread popped up, I thought I'd ask.
Lol I am the queen of horror stories, but I'm very pale, so I still have a fairly noticeable pink scar 10 years later that appears very red in photographs. Also, believe it or not with my ultra pale skin, my scar keloided, and I got steroid injections in them over a year to reduce the scar tissue
Lots of people say they don't notice it much anymore, but I always still get the occasional, "Oh, did you get your thyroid out?" or worse, "Oh wow, what happened?!"
Do you make up some crazy stories? JK I have had keloided in other scars and that is my concern also is being left with the scar on my neck.0 -
I had a full thyroidectomy two years ago due to some cysts and hyperthyroidism that didn't respond to any other treatment. The high levels were beginning to put my other organs in distress and I was only sixteen at the time and had already been struggling with it for four years, nothing ever worked so the doctors finally decided it was safer to take it out and supplement the hormones than it would be to continue trying different medications and treatments to slow it down.
My friend had a very similar situation as yours. They didn't remove it but now she is on Armour medication?? and she seems to be responding really well to it.
Did your friend have the radioactive iodine treatment? It essentially shuts down the function of the thyroid - same effect as surgery, but non-invasive.
I'm not exactly sure what they did to hers. I'm just thankful she is feeling healthier. She has also become gluten free.0 -
Lol I am the queen of horror stories, but I'm very pale, so I still have a fairly noticeable pink scar 10 years later that appears very red in photographs. Also, believe it or not with my ultra pale skin, my scar keloided, and I got steroid injections in them over a year to reduce the scar tissue
Lots of people say they don't notice it much anymore, but I always still get the occasional, "Oh, did you get your thyroid out?" or worse, "Oh wow, what happened?!"
Oh no! I'm so sorry to hear that you've had to go through that! I hope that maybe one day it won't be as noticeable for you. That is exactly why I was waiting until after my wedding! I have pretty pale skin too and a very long, slender neck so it'll be right there for everyone to see. If it is something need then I'll live with it, but I at least want pretty wedding pictures lol
I understand your apprehension as my own. I'm glad I posted this topic then. You get a better understanding from the people who have gone through it. I'm sure you'll look fabulous in your pictures! :flowerforyou: I'd wait also until afterwards.0 -
I understand your apprehension as my own. I'm glad I posted this topic then. You get a better understanding from the people who have gone through it. I'm sure you'll look fabulous in your pictures! :flowerforyou: I'd wait also until afterwards.
Thank you for posting it! I wish you well dealing with your nodule and considerations going into a thyroidectomy! I'm sure our apprehension is not well founded. I'm one of those people that has to weigh the pros and cons of everything before I say, ok, let's do this, lol.
Best of luck! :flowerforyou:0 -
Regarding the scar, mine isn't too noticeable. Granted, people notice after a closer look, but it's not glaringly obvious either.0
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Those of you that have had a full thyroidectomy, what was your recovery like and the scar? Surgery has been recommended to me by several doctors. I have hashimoto's and have a large goiter with no nodule, but some nodular type tissue that they're 'watching.' I've been trying to control it and the symptoms I have with hashimoto's with diet and excerise which has been helping, but it's still an issue. The medication part is no big deal to me since I'm already destined to be on it for the rest of my life anyway :ohwell:
I'll be further looking into surgery after my wedding in October, but since this thread popped up, I thought I'd ask.
Lol I am the queen of horror stories, but I'm very pale, so I still have a fairly noticeable pink scar 10 years later that appears very red in photographs. Also, believe it or not with my ultra pale skin, my scar keloided, and I got steroid injections in them over a year to reduce the scar tissue
Lots of people say they don't notice it much anymore, but I always still get the occasional, "Oh, did you get your thyroid out?" or worse, "Oh wow, what happened?!"
Do you make up some crazy stories? JK I have had keloided in other scars and that is my concern also is being left with the scar on my neck.
LOL, I usually do at the get go, "Oh, it's a leftover from a gangfight..." It's amazing how many people used to believe that coming out of a little teenager's mouth! Of course, I always followed up with the truth :P
For your keloids, I know there's creams that have come out since I had the issue--I'd recommend looking into those before doing the steroid injections like I did!0 -
For the first year, the scar was pretty pink and obvious. 8 years later, it's barely visible. Heck, not even I notice it in the mirror 99% of the time!0
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Had a TT last June due to "maybe cancer." Apparently my gland was covered by a gazillion nodules. The ones that were large enough to be biopsied all came back "indeterminate". The surgeon said it was "crunchy" when she removed it. Recovery was a breeze, despite the fact that they let me go hypo for about 8 months. I have some residual hypo symptoms and since February have noticed I cannot lift the same heavy weights as before and have a lot of all over inflammation. Despite breaking even on cals in vs. cals out, I've still packed on 20 pounds. So it's still all a work in progress.
Much to my chagrin, I found out shortly after the surgery that there is a blood test that can be done that looks at your genetic markers and determines your risk for cancer. I do wish my endo would have known about the test before recommending surgery.
As for scarring, the best advice I got was to never let the incision get dry. I bought a scar kit that included a silicone sheet that I could cut t size and place over the area. The rest of the time I slathered it in shea butter and used Philosophy's "help me" to assist with cell turnover. The scar is barely noticeable. That was the easy part
-Cynthia0 -
Had a TT last June due to "maybe cancer." Apparently my gland was covered by a gazillion nodules. The ones that were large enough to be biopsied all came back "indeterminate". The surgeon said it was "crunchy" when she removed it. Recovery was a breeze, despite the fact that they let me go hypo for about 8 months. I have some residual hypo symptoms and since February have noticed I cannot lift the same heavy weights as before and have a lot of all over inflammation. Despite breaking even on cals in vs. cals out, I've still packed on 20 pounds. So it's still all a work in progress.
Much to my chagrin, I found out shortly after the surgery that there is a blood test that can be done that looks at your genetic markers and determines your risk for cancer. I do wish my endo would have known about the test before recommending surgery.
As for scarring, the best advice I got was to never let the incision get dry. I bought a scar kit that included a silicone sheet that I could cut t size and place over the area. The rest of the time I slathered it in shea butter and used Philosophy's "help me" to assist with cell turnover. The scar is barely noticeable. That was the easy part
-Cynthia
Woah, we are like THE same story on our TT! I don't mean to offend when I say, "Wow, glad I'm not the only one who may have had a needless TT," since I've been told by other docs it was the fact that it was a decade ago and I was so young... but goddamn, endos still don't have a clue! Glad you've had an easier recovery!0 -
I didn't realize there was a blood test for that either. That is really good information to have. Thank you!
And good info on all your scar information from everyone. I guess having a scar is the least of my worries. 0
