Advised to have Parathyroid surgery

Hyperparathyroidism can contribute to depressive episodes and anxiety in Spades.  For information and help on this disease your girlfriend should join Sallie Powell's Facebook group 'Hyperparathyroidism UK Action4Change'.  Any questions you have will be answered by people who have experienced operations and the effects that they may have had.  Alan.

1. my recovery was longer than they said

2. I didnt have any

3 My voice wasnt normal for about 3 weeks but they said it dependson person

4  My throat hurt really badly - they open your neck to do even minimally invasive so it hurts like hell

I had severe anxiety was very down - headaches memory issues and exhusted. I am lucky to still be married.  It took me almost a year to feel completely normal but 3 months after I slept better and wasnt exhusted anymore the headaches subsideded and anxiety eased.  Have now lost 20 lbs and have about 15 to go - but can finally start excercising ( my body doesnt feel stuck in moalses anymore)

It is a weird illness that noone my age has and seems to be minimized.  I had my surgery last February and still trying to feel normal - My calcim level was an 11 and after surgery a 5 - they said to take calium supplements for awhile but they gave me the horrible headaches so I stopped -  Good luck to you both - be patient!

In 2013 I had the left side of my Thyroid gland removed.  I had a 2nd and 3rd opinion and a biopsy done before consenting to the surgery.  I was advised to take 1-2 weeks off, told that it was very important to take the prescribed thyroid meds to prevent some possible side effects, and that I might experience voice changes, such as, a hoarse voice, difficulty in speaking loudly, voice fatigue, and a change in the tone of your voice for a while.  I was also told that the voice thing was temporary.

Now four years later, I still have swallowing difficulties, and choke easily when eating or drinking.

I often have pain in my neck, and occasional swelling.

My voice has changed a lot - I am almost always hoarse, prolonged conversations will cause my voice to weaken.  I sang with a Christian group prior to the surgery, but those days are now gone.

The recovery was painful, pain when I swallowed, turned my head, etc.  I don't know if I can ever face jello again.

Since the thyroid produces hormones that regulate metabolism of the body, there are several common side effects of a total or partial removal.

These are some of the problems that I have had to deal with. 

1.Keeping up on the Medication levels is critical.

2.Hairloss is common

3.Mood swings, weight gain, depression at times.

4.Headaches - sudden and bad. 

Your doctor should be a specialist - an endocrinologist.

It is important to keep in tune with your body. It will tell you when something's not well in the kingdom.  If your doctor tells you that you are fine, and you don't feel fine,  listen to your own body, if all is not "fine" you will know it.

Your doctor will order your TSH levels from time to time to monitor your medication strength needs, insist that he order Free T3 and T4 levels as well. These test show a lot more.  If you don't like the doctor or his answers, go to another one. Always ask for a copy of your lab report so you can refer back to them if need be. If you have a total or a partial removal done, you will feel real sluggish when your levels aren't right. The meds you will be put on are for a life time. What ever you do, don't let a doctor be the ruler over the final out come when it comes to you and your meds.  Remember you pay the doctor to monitor your health and prescribe correctly, you don't do him favors by seeing him.  Learn to listen to your body.