Thyroidectomy - terrified

[Blueberry6131]

I've been told that I need to have my thyroid removed after two large Thy3F were discovered.

I just wondered if anyone could tell me any positive stories of total thyroidectomy? I've never had surgery before and I am so so scared. I'm also terrified of how quickly I will adapt to medication afterwards - I've only heard horror stories.

The surgery has been arranged for next week. It's all happening so fast which makes me think they must be worried. Does anyone have any experience with thy3f nodules and what this means?

Thank you

@Blueberry6131 I had a sub-total thyroidectomy in 1990 for Graves Disease. The op and recovery were uneventful and was driving again after about a week and back at work after 3. I have a very fine scar. It was a bit pink for a couple of years but I wore a short-chain to hide it.

I have taken 100mcg of levothyroxine ever since and have a blood test every year. The only inconvenience is 56 day prescribing.

I got married in 1991, had my children in the mid 90s, an uneventful menopause although I do have osteoporosis but I think that's hereditary. A bit of overweight has crept up over the decades: BMI 28.5 but that is because I like food.

I'm 63 and still working full-time in a demanding job.

Good luck and best wishes for a swift recovery.

I had a full thyroidectomy about 25 years ago. The surgery itself was complicated because my thyroid was very large by the time it was removed. It ended up taking 5 hours and I lost 3 of my parathyroid glands. I then had a full calcium crash after discharge and ended up in a&e with my limbs contorting in on me. Basically, everything that could go wrong, went wrong.

it still wasn’t anywhere close to the worst surgery I have had. My scar healed beautifully. I take my medication for thyroid and parathyroid every day and it’s pretty much a non-issue. I’m much healthier without my thyroid than I was with my diseased thyroid.

adapting To the medication is easy. Your body wants to have those hormones. Be proactive and ask to see your blood test results and keep copies of all your numbers. You will learn where you feel healthiest. Then you can work with your doctor to make sure you stay in your personal sweet spot.

The main thing will be you striking a balance between chasing regular bloods to ensure you aren't over/under dosing AND ensuring that you aren't ascribing every depressed mood/anxious day, tired week, weight gain to the thyroid issue.

The comments so far seem really positive. Thus is the benefit of asking this question on a general health board. If you went to a thyroid specific forum, you WOULD onyl really get horror stories because everyone who's living a normal life post surgery isn't searching for answers on a forum. Good luckA

Due to thyroid cancer, I initially had a hemithyroidectomy, and then based on the results I had to go back to have the rest taken out. Recovered reasonably quickly both times. When they'd only taken out half I didn't need thyroxine, but obviously did after they'd taken out the rest. There was the risk of calcium issues if they accidentally took out my parathyroid glands as well, but my surgeon was confident he'd managed to avoid them, and he was proved right by my blood tests. The thing that worried me the most was the risk of damage to the recurrent laryngeal nerve affecting my voice, but again was fine. The anaesthetist for both ops was very reassuring, and gave me confidence. Pain control was excellent, which I think really helped my recovery. Was exhausted for a while afterwards, but happily work weren't being too pushy about me returning and occ health was supportive, so did both ops, recovery, and radioactive iodine all in one block of sick leave, then went back to full time working. And as I have told my surgeon since, he has a great pair of hands, really struggle to see the scar at all.

Thank you so much everyone for your comments, that's really helped me.

I'm a new Mum and I'm really worried I won't have enough energy to look after my baby. I know the vast majority of people are fine in time, but it just feels so scary. I'm also obviously terrified it's cancer. I'm trying to think positively but it's hard.

Thank you all for your help

I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer last year (discovered incidentally on a pet scan ) and had thyroid removed and all glands. Had calcium crisis after surgery but treated in hospital.
Have some numbness on chest and under chin (from gland removal) and had a paralysed vocal chord for around six months. Had speech therapy and although croaky it's sorted. Am also on 200mcg of thyroxine. Had radioiodine treatment which has got to be redone due to residual tissue. Am checked regularly
My levels are still a bit high but there is room to wiggle with the meds.
I am tired constantly but I have other health issues. Survey was fine.... I felt a bit low after. Don't be afraid to talk about it.