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Upcoming Hemithyroidectomy....

Posted , 3 users are following.

Katty3101
Katty3101

Hi everyone,

My name is Kathleen and I’m 27 from Canada. I discovered a lump on my thyroid about a year ago. Ultrasound proved that it is a tumor and my biopsies have come back inconclusive and then benign. We have been monitoring it however it has now grown to 5 cm and due to the size of the mass I am scheduled to have surgery in 2 weeks.

As it stands now my thyroid is functioning normally and I am concerned that following surgery I will develop hypothyroidism (runs strongly in the women in my family). I’m concerned mostly about emotional issues, fatigue and weight gain associated with this.

I also wondering if any of you experienced people out there have any advise for me going into this surgery? I have an autoimmune disorder as well and have under gone 4 surgeries in the past and know full well that things aren’t the same once you start cutting; I also find my surgeon isn’t very forth coming with information and I want to be aware of all the risks, and mostly what life is like after this type of surgery.

 

Thanks!

 

Kathleen

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • roxanne29853
    roxanne29853 Katty3101

    Posted

    I was concerned because my biopies came back inconclusive or unsatisfactory, and I wondered if it were the endocrinologist's fault.  He suggests surgery and I don't know if he's talking about a partial or full thyroidectomy.  I am waiting for a referral from my primary to another endocrinologist, who is also a surgeon.

    I wish I could tell you more, because I am also worried about the outcome-"if" I decide to have this surgery.  Unlike you, I am already hypo, and I wish I could give someo advice besides go to another doctor for a second opinion if this one is not forth coming.

  • shellyC19
    shellyC19 Katty3101

    Posted

    Hello Katty:

    My name is Shelly and I am a nurse (RN) in the USA.  I have Hashimoto's thyroid disease since 1987.

    When you have a Hemithyroidectomy, you will lose part of the thyroid gland. Losing half or any part of the gland most likely will cause Hypothyroidism to happen. Sometimes, the other half will compensate but there is no promise it will do that.  It is just a hope it will.

    Okay, here is my sage advice:   Surgeons like to do surgery!   Unless you have CANCER please keep your thyroid.  You can monitor it by Ultrasound.

    Thyroid cancer is not that common, it can happen but most people would have changes in RBC's (red blood cells), and sodium levels and thyroid function.  Biposy can show if Cancer cells are present.

    What to expect:  A long incision at the base of the neck and it will be painful afterwards.  A breathing tube will be in you during surgery and it will make your throat sore.  You will most likely be kept in the hospital to be careful you are able to breathe well.  You may or may not have oxygen while in the hospital.

    Scaring can occur and using coca butter oil on it after it heals can help the scar to smooth.  It will be a dark pink and then over time fade to a white.  It can take a year to fade.

    Most likely calcium levels may need to be checked and replaced.  On the corners of the Thyroid are tiny glands that are the parathyroid glands and they make calcium.  Losing two of them, may make your calcium low.  So expect to be on that for life.

    Of course you may need replacement hormone and that will also be for life.

    If you have any questions just ask me,

    Shelly

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