Thyroid surgery - anyone had it?

[LaPaz]

Was wondering if anyone has had thyroid surgery and if so, were there any after-effects re: conception and pregnancy?

It's looking likely that I'll have to have a full thyroidectomy later this year due to having a large (benign) goitre. I'm not fussed about the operation itself, but am concerned that taking thyroid replacement drugs for the rest of my life might have some effect on getting pregnant/breastfeeding/other effects that I don't know about.

Thanks in advance for any advice

(ps: I'm new - in fact this is my first ever thread )

Thanks Loopy. I'm only worried cos the consultant specifically asked me about whether I was likely to get pregnant in the next year or so.

LaPaz - I had a partial thyroidectomy at 24 as mine became seriously over-active due to pg with dd2. Was on pills for 3 years but it never settled so they had to operate. I've been on varying doses of thyroxine since between 100mcg & 250mcg per day (have been on 150mcg for a good few years now).

Anyway to answer your question (at last ) dd3 was born March 2005 & ds was born Nov 2006 both concieved when we were taking (admittedly half-a*sed) precautions & while I was on thyroxine. The meds made no difference during pg I was just told it was especially important to remember to take it (& not to take it at same time as iron supplement or the one you're supposed to take for the first 3 months [what's that called again?]).

dd & ds did have to have a few blood tests to check their thyroid function over the first few weeks but both are fine.

Sorry this is long-winded but hope it helps & if you want to talk just email me at [email protected]

Just to add that my gran had the radio-active treatment about a million years ago as hers was over-active too. She then had a thyroidectomy & went on to have my mum, aunt & 2 uncles

I had a partial thyroidectomy when dd was 2, was told not to fall pregnant until carbimazole out of system or could affect baby, fell too quickly oops! but ds was fine just extra monitoring during pregnancy. Now on 125mg thyroxine per day, still feel tired but able to cope and scar all but disappeared. No issues I can remember about breast feeding, just it has taken a lot of years to get my levels right and I have to have a blood test every year. If you have a sympathetic doctor it makes evrything easier.
Good luck

Thanks everyone - that is really helpful, and encouraging to know the scar disappears quickly.

I have had thyroid surgery twice but had already had my children before the surgeries. I conceived my ds1 whilst on propythyiouracil (PTU) with no problems. My consultant said I would be fine as long as thyroid levels were well controlled during pg. Best of luck with the surgery, I didn't have much pain afterwards and was out of bed the next day. My first post too!

I know someone who had a thyroidectomy in her early twenties.

Since had 2 babies, breastfed, all ok. Scar faded a lot now, not very noticeable.