BellaOnline Forums Health and Fitness Thyroid Health Remove the whole thyroid? HELP!

Today I finally got my results from the thyroid biopsy. I have a 5cm nodule that does not bother me at all except that it is showing some. I am said to be neither hyperthyroid nor hypo. Results say 'abnormal' cells, not very conclusive, but leaning towards cancer and surgery is what we need to do. Ok.. now I am waiting to hear from general surgery to schedule a surgery. Dr thinks it may be best to just go in and remove the entire thyroid, though the nodule is on the left side only, although on the right there was mention of some tiny tiny tiny maybe the beginnings of nodules? Noone ever has said much about those, they don't seem to count beyond a mere mention.
I thought I was fine with removing the entire thing, but thinking a little more I am more fearful of what I might go through after a complete thyroid removal due to the medication situation of becoming hypothyroid.

If I have normal thyroid function right now,and they will make me hypo.. is this a MISTAKE? I want to feel better not worse. My first thoughts were that removal of the entire thyroid should free me from the fear of furthur cancer concerns, but now I see from reading that no, that is not entirely true, I could STILL get cancer again later even with removal. AND of course this is not yet for sure cancer, but is suspicious.

Does anyone have any commments on how I should be reacting, cause I am getting more confused the more I think on it.
Maybe someone has questions I should ask the surgeon?

visit www.thyca.org for more information on thyroid cancer.
They have local support groups and they have a forum you can post on.
You maybe want to get a second opionion.

From what you said about the biopsy, it would probably be best to remove it all. If they remove only the affected side, and it is cancer, they have to go back in and remove the other half. This is usually several days later.

After this is all done you will need hormone replacement for life. The best is desiccated thyroid, (AKA Armour)

A word on the Thyca group. It is run by a group of $ynthoid nazis. If you mention Armour in a positive light, several of the group jump on you like a flock of gulls on a hand full of food. Dr Ain had me banned from the board for a positive comment on Armour.

If you dig into his relation ship with the drug companies, you find a lot of $$$$$.

Almost forgot. Check out the NaturalThyroidHormone group on Yahoo. The members have "been there done that". Some of the storys are not very pritty, but it is information that you will need for survival.

Thankyou both for your replies. One of my problems is that there is so much info out there and only so much time before I have my surgery, and right now I dont even know when that is.
I wrote this board because I did see info on non synthetic med and I realize it may be a med not mainstream. Of course I am VERY interested in it and I am HOPING it is a med my endo will prescribe without hassle. IF not then I may be forced to try a synthetic, so anyway, I will write the board you suggest to see how others say I should deal with this. Or you can tell me now. Maybe I will be forced to learn about the synthetic meds if I cannot afford (if i need to see a doc who is not on my plan) -that for now. I am just too broke to pay for a doc not on my insurance. But that situation can and likely will change.

The surgeon will be calling inside of a week. How do I check them out to find out how experienced the doctor is, aside from just asking?

Thankyou. The more knowledge I have the better emotional state I am in.

Tracy, you mean a second opinion on whether to remove the entire thyroid? Do you think the surgeon will have an opinion or do they just want to go with doctor recommendation, will they even care what I say? I am unsure she was positive that entire removal was for sure the best thing, she was unsure they could immediately discover if indeed there was cancer right there in surgery. She seemed to be stating her feelings based on the result of 'abnormal' or whatever the medically correct term is.

Before removing or killing your thyroid.
I'd see another doctor. To make sure this doctors diagnoses is right. Once the thyroid is gone it's gone forever.
Many people I talk to wish and wish they'd did something different. Find another doctor and see what they say.

I think I am going to talk to the surgeon first and see how they think. I have a feeling it is based more on the surgeon rather than the doctor, but if not, I am going to go to another doctor. Thanks. When I first told my husband everything that was his first idea to get another opinion as well.

wow.....you and I are in the same boat!
I have been advised to remove the whole Thyroid as I have inconclusive results from biopsys I have a nodules and a tumor sized one on the right side. There is 10% chance of it being cancer. I liked my Surgeon and no one has pressured me into any decsison. I too have never been on Thyroid medication with no problems or symtoms. I am DREADING the after surgery medication roller coaster. I told my Dr I HAVE to have my energy level back after.I am too busy to be down too long. I am 38 , with 2 school age girls .full time Mom and working part time, loving life. I don't want to go from feel great to feeling awful until they figure out where my meds should be. Have schedule my surgery..but still may change my mind! :-)

I've heard you gain weight, feel like lousy for a while.
I FEEL YOUR PAIN !

I can't wait to talk to the surgeon, hope he calls so I don't have to chase him down. Also hope he is good and experienced.
Well one thing new I am finding out is that follicular cancer does not show up on fna's or frozen sections during surgery.
So even if it is not cancer I think they will want to remove it just in case.. otherwise it means a second surgery very soon after the first. I have no idea what furthur complications might occur with a second surgery and I really don't wan't to know.. other thing is, even if it is not cancerous and we take the chance of leaving it in, I'd be monitored forever on the right side of thyroid. But still... if it meant not taking the meds?! I really really hate the idea of being med dependent yet, i guess things could be worse? I am searching for a good doctor and praying I will stabilize quickly on meds and feel great and be able to stay in shape. Today I talked to a friend's friend who had a total thyroidectomy at age 21 (she is now 49), is on synthroid and assures me she really doesn't have med problems for all these years. I was really happy to hear about someone like her. I guess we cannot know until it is us.. but I am still checking out doctors just in case mine does not work out.

also, Coor.. I know exactly where you are at med-wise, I am a 45yr old mom with 2 teens 16 and almost 14 and an 11yr old.. busy?!! yes! plus I have a home based business I am trying to start, all gonna be put on hold! I too want to get back to life the way it should be.

I wrote this board because I did see info on non synthetic med and I realize it may be a med not mainstream. Of course I am VERY interested in it and I am HOPING it is a med my endo will prescribe without hassle. IF not then I may be forced to try a synthetic, so anyway, I will write the board you suggest to see how others say I should deal with this. Or you can tell me now. Maybe I will be forced to learn about the synthetic meds if I cannot afford (if i need to see a doc who is not on my plan) -that for now. I am just too broke to pay for a doc not on my insurance. But that situation can and likely will change.

The surgeon will be calling inside of a week. How do I check them out to find out how experienced the doctor is, aside from just asking?

Thankyou. The more knowledge I have the better emotional state I am in. [/quote]


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It is 95% that any endo will not willingly prescribe Armour. They have either been snookered by or sold out to the synthetic makers. As Armour and the other naturals are " natural" they cannot be patented. No patent means any unreasonable profits.

The NaturalThyroidGroup has a lot of resources in this area.

Thyca has a lot of information you need until after the surgery, if it is cancer. It can be a rough trip on your own. If you go with the synthetic T4, it can be an ever rougher ride after the fact.