Partial thyroid removal

[NegativeNinety]

So, I have been told that I need part of my thyroid removed. The left side is quite big and compressing on my windpipe. I was told it should be 1cm but I'm down to 4mm. I've been told, because it's so big they will rush me through the system in 3 - 4 months. The function is fine, it's just big!

I do get breathless. I can go out for a walk and I might have to stop once or twice, just for a minute - going upstairs, lying on my left side (unless I'm in a certain position) can feel restrictive. But at the same time, I'm not spending all-day, everyday gasping for breath.

I was initially told it would all have to be removed but now told partial would be OK and if need be we could take the rest at a later stage. I was feeling OK with the partial removal, obviously it halves the risk and I won't need meds. But then I read the info given to me by the Dr and I realised just how risky the sugery is in terms of vocal nerve damage. I'm freaking out a bit.

Has anyone been through it? Any advice?

I had the left half removed last year, my voice was a little scratchy for a while and it took about 3 months to get my singing range back but it’s back now and the scar s barely noticeable. I’m also fortunate that I don’t need any meds so from my experience it’s been positive.

I had this done about 20 years ago, in my mid 20s. All absolutely fine. I think the fact they need to go through the risks of every operation with you means that you can focus so much on the worse case scenario. Don't worry, sounds like you definitely need the op and your life will be better for it.

Thanks!

It doesn't help that I'm a natural worrier. Although thankfully, I never had much of a singing voice to begin with @AngelBlue12!

I had half out because of nodules and then 18 month later had to have the other half out as some more nodules grew in it really rapidly. The first surgery went fine but the second one bruised my vocal chords and I could only whisper for about 2 months before they recovered. If I could go back, I would have had the whole lot done on the first go. Taking thyroxine every day is no big deal.

You say your thyroid glad is swollen, is that because you have nodules? If not, then what is causing the swelling? I would want to be clear about the causes before I decided on a treatment plan

I've just had half of mine out for the same reason.

I had the op done 5 weeks ago and I can say I'm pretty much back to normal, apart from a small amount of swelling in my neck and a hypertrophic scar.

It was uncomfortable in the immediate aftermath and I was probably a bit tired and couldn't talk on the phone etc for the first 1 - 2 weeks but I'm back at work now and absolutely fine.

It went much better than I thought it might (I expected agony in recovery for some reason), and being able to breathe again is so nice!

Thanks for the replies!

I'm due to have it removed in a few weeks. I've been on a high dose of Vit D for 5 weeks now. Is is strange the breathlessness doesn't feel quite as bad as it had been previously?

I think I might be trying to convince myself that the Vit D is somehow "curing" me and I won't have to have surgery 🙈