I have a large goiter and nodules throughout my thyroid, the FNA came back inconclusive, and the ultrasound was suspicious. My doctor advised me to have it removed. After meeting with the surgeon, I felt confident that it was the right thing to do but now I'm having second thoughts. I am concerned about the long term effects of having to take replacement medicine, any advice?
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4 Responses
Hi, I had my thyroid removed in January 2005. My FNA was inconclusive, as well. I opted to have it removed and have had no side effects from the replacement medicine. I take Synthroid (brand name) and have never had a problem with it. Just make sure and take it first thing in the morning an hour before you eat. It may take a little while to get the dosage right, but I have had no problems. Plus, the pill is tiny. Good luck and keep your scar out of the sun until it heals.
Hey! thanks for the last line to keep my scar out of sun until it heals!
I had the surgery six weeks ago and it is healing nicely, but it is summer and I would normally be in the sun, so I will watch that. I would not have thought about that but it makes sense!
As for the hormone replacement, I also was hesitant to be wedded to the big drug companies and a medication for the rest of my life, but when I considered the alternatives of possible cancer (which it did turn out to be!) I decided it was worth it. It is taking some adjusting and getting used to but I can see that eventually I WILL balance out again!
Actually, I can now see that alot of the anxiety, weight gain, and exhaustion I was experiencing before the removal was actually the thyroid not working properly. My blood tests kept coming back borderline so GP kept saying it was just menopause - NOT! I am finally sleeping again and not "crazy" all the time - or at least as much ;-)
Thank you very much, I had my surgery a little over 2 weeks ago and am feeling much better!
Request another FNA if possible. I have papillary thyroid cancer and have had a total thyroidectomy. If surgery is the option, then find a surgeon that is skilled. I believe my surgeon out of inexperience or due to my cancer spreading had removed some of my parathyroids which has caused me to deal with low calcium levels (tingling on face, mouth, hands, slightly swollen tongue.) I have since changed hospitals altogether to find the best skilled surgeon for a pending surgery (cancer recurred). I have also told my current doc. that I will not have surgery unless I am assured a tumor is visible and an FNA is positive. So far I have opted for radiation, I-131, instead of a 2nd surgery. Sidebar: I no longer wear turtlenecks because anything that rubs on my neck to my chin feels weird since some nerves were slightly damaged where the surgeon originally cut. My scar looks like a hockey stick. The surgeon took out cancer that had traveled to lymph nodes under the jaw.