Those With Half Thyroid Out There? Not Taking Meds?
Posted over a year ago
Four years ago I had 1/2 my thyroid removed for a surgical biopsy. Thankfully it wasn't cancer but I've been on levoxyl ever since and have had some side effects. Joint pain, muscle aches, foot cramps, HAIR LOSS!! I talked with my doctor who was reluctant ... more »
Four years ago I had 1/2 my thyroid removed for a surgical biopsy. Thankfully it wasn't cancer but I've been on levoxyl ever since and have had some side effects. Joint pain, muscle aches, foot cramps, HAIR LOSS!! I talked with my doctor who was reluctant to discuss any alternatives until I pressed him. One consideration is Armour Thyroid but not sure of it's side effects yet. He DID tell me though, that it's possible (not guaranteed) that if I stop all meds and wait 3 months or so, the other half of thyroid might strengthen and eventually I could go without any need for meds. Has anyone been told the same? Anyone actually done this successfully? I would LOVE to stop meds forever but afraid of feeling awful during those months for nothing.
Thanks for any input.
Jeanniebak - My daughter had 1/2 her thyroid removed and my son all of his. Neither one is on meds. They are both very moody especially my son but won't go see a doctor because of no insurance. That's the only symptoms that I've noticed.
Cookiebeau - In 1960 I had thyroid cancer and was put on Armour Thyroid, I did not do well on that so I was put on synthyroid and for the last 48years have done great. I had 2/3 of my thyroid out. A couple of times I would have the feeling that my heart was skipping a beat and it was because my levels were to high. Over the years they had to keep lowering the dose, at this point I am alternating 75mg one day and 50mg the next. Working great. See a new doctor they can regulate your thyroid.
Cynthiabunch - My left side was removed due to a tumor (non cancerous) I had some sign of hashimoto's disease, My right side was fine and my doctor does not have me on any thyroid medication. I have a friend whose whole thyroid was remove about 20 years ago and they place a piece of healthy thyroid tissue in her arm and she has never had a problem. I always understood as long as their is some thyroid tissue left it should produce enough hormones. please get a second opinion.
Jacg - Hi I had half my thyroid removed about 2 years ago,was never put on medication as i was told the other half would work perfectly well on its own,and it has been fine...I would definitely get a second opinion..unless they had to remove your para thyroid glands you shouldn't need to take any medication...Jac
Peggy88 - I have been switched from Levoxyl to Synthroid and they are not helping me at all. I was diagnosed about 2 or 3 years ago and was put on Levoxyl. After complaing my Dr. changed me to Synthroid. Neither are helping at all. I hate even brushing my hair.I stay cold,even sleeping in my jacket sometimes. And tired??? It's a chore to even stand. When I wake up I proceed to the couch. There I lay all day until time to go to bed.Has anyone ever told you that you're just lazy? Boy,that gets my dander up. If only they could experience it for only a month.Then they would understand. Also, I just keep gaining weight.I truly don't eat much. Sometimes I'll go a day or 2 without eating.What if I did eat often??? Wow,I'd weigh 300lbs.
Njconnie - I had my Thyroid removed over 20 years ago. My surgeon left one gram of tissue. I have not taken any drugs, only check T3, T4 and TSH every year. Thyroid disease is not like any other illness. It takes awhile before any symptoms develop. The symptoms are so subtle that they seem normal. If you need drugs,wait at least 3 months before your next blood test to see it this drug is working for you. The blood test is the best check on how your Thyroid is working.
Liz0012 - I am really scared of getting 1/2 my thyroid removed. I just found out that I have to get half removed, not sure if all has to come out. I already gain weight easily and I am so scared that I will gain weight if I get 1/2 removed. Do I forsure go on meds, or it depends. can someone email me that had this done so I feel better. liz0012@hotmail.com thank you, Elizabeth
Bruce0315 - I had 90% of my thyroid removed 29 yrs ago, due to a false positive ultrasound, they thought I had a tumor. I was on meds for 1 yr, have not taken anything since, get blood work every physical ... no known side effects.
Bruce
Ericaxnicolex09 - I havent had my thyroid removed, but i feel some of the same side effects as some of you. I am so mean, moody, emotional. Im so so tired, My hair falls out constantly. Im sore. I dont know what to do. The doc put me on Celexa, but i dont think im depressed. Help?
Chris_n_ga - I'm scheduled to have my right lobe removed next Wednesday after the results of Fine Needle Aspiration came back "atypical", and the whole thyroid will be removed if cancerous. I'm really concerned that maybe I should seek a second opinion because this surgeon said that a thyroid nodule could not cause my primary symptoms which were - palpitations, pounding heart, sensation of lump in my throat. I've never seen an endo, just had ultrasound requested by primary physician and then to surgeon. Is there anything else I should do before Wednesday because it's too late after that. Please help.
Jennifer88 - I have had 1/2 of my thyroid re-moved. I had what they called a goiter, it is gone now.. I was always fighting to keep myself awake and very moody. I took synthroid for a year it helped a little.. I have felt so much better just having it re-moved...There is nothing like having no control of staying awake or you mood. It is horrible.
Sonja1402 - I'm having 1/2 my thyroid removed a week from now due to a "suspicious" nodule biopsy. (hopefully they'll only take half). Is there anything I can do to help the remaining half work?
Jennifer88 - I don't think there is anything you can do.. At least I was never told anything. They re-moved 1/2 of mine the nodule was gone. Just stay updated on the blood tests for your thyroid..
1111patricia - I HAD A TOTAL THYROIDECTOMY. WAS DIAGNOSED WITH HISHIMOTO THYROIDITIS. CAUSED BY A UPPER RESPITORY INFECTION. IS WHAT I WAS TOLD. I WENT THROUGH HELL AND WAS ALMOST DEAD BEFORE THEY TOOK MY THYROID OUT. WAS ON ALL OF THE DIFFERENT MEDS. NOW ON ARMOUR THYROID. WORKS GREAT. EXCEPT. I WENT FROM MY NORMAL 120LBS TO 200LBS AND CANT LOSE THE WEIGHT. I EAT RIGHT AND GO TO THE GYM. BUT I WAS TOLD WHEN THEY TAKE OUT YOUR THYROID. YOU CAN DIE WITHOUT THYROID MEDS. NOT TO SCARE YOU. PLEASE RESEARCH BEFORE SURGERY. AND PUSH YOUR DOCTOR TO LISTEN. OR CHANGE DOCTORS. AFTER ALL ITS YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE..
Kendahl12 - I have had my left side thyriod out for 9 years. The first year I took meds but not regularly. I gained weight ( got to150, I am 5'8) then evened out at 132. I had a baby two years ago and now I am back to my original 115, can eat anything i want self. My thyroid was fine throughout pregnancy. Try it, youll love not popping those pills.
Emeretia - I had my left side of my thyriod removed two years ago, and I not had to take any medication since. My doctors were quite reluctant to start me straight on medication and monitored the function of my remaining thyriod for a few months. My functions have been on the normal side ever since, however I do have times when undertactive symptoms do come back, but overall I think its worth giving it a try. I hope this helps.
Jobella - I have the same problem. Half a thyroid out non cancerous and I am taking 100mcgs I took it tens years before my surgery. Im always in a fog...for years. I really would love to get off of Synthroid too. Any answers yet. You may email me at jjfrank24@aol.com
Wouldn't it be great to finally get off this medicine... in my option...it doesn't or isn't helping me...
Josie
Chris_n_ga - I had the same procedure as you (March 2009), same results (benign), but I never went on medication. An appointment was scheduled for 5 weeks after the surgery to check levels to determine if medication was needed, but the other half of my thyroid was functioning well enough not to require medication. I saw an endocrinologists a year after my surgery just for good measure and everything was fine. The only finding was that the remaining half of my thyroid was larger than normal, and this was expected due to the increased workload. All levels were fine. Honestly, after the first 2 weeks post-op, I have never had an issue with anything. I feel exactly the same as before and I don't take any medication. I'm very athletic, energetic and active. I didn't loose or gain any weight, or have any other complications. I would strongly recommend that you try to endure the 3 months, although I don't think it will take that long, to see if the remaining thyroid tissue can handle the load. I did some research around the time of my surgery and signed up at this website and I receive emails from time to time about this thread, but other than that I don't ever think about my thyroid or the surgery. Good luck!
Chris_n_ga - I had the same procedure as you (March 2009), same results (benign), but I never went on medication. An appointment was scheduled for 5 weeks after the surgery to check levels to determine if medication was needed, but the other half of my thyroid was functioning well enough not to require medication. I saw an endocrinologists a year after my surgery just for good measure and everything was fine. The only finding was that the remaining half of my thyroid was larger than normal, and this was expected due to the increased workload. All levels were fine. Honestly, after the first 2 weeks post-op, I have never had an issue with anything. I feel exactly the same as before and I don't take any medication. I'm very athletic, energetic and active. I didn't loose or gain any weight, or have any other complications. I would strongly recommend that you try to endure the 3 months, although I don't think it will take that long, to see if the remaining thyroid tissue can handle the load. I did some research around the time of my surgery and signed up at this website and I receive emails from time to time about this thread, but other than that I don't ever think about my thyroid or the surgery. Good luck!
Kaittucker - I had half of my thyroid removed my 9th grade year, and was not put on any medicines for it. I didn't show any signs then, so they kept me off of them and I have not experienced any symptoms such as aches, weight gain, and so on. The past year or so (I am in college now) I have started having a horrible cold sensitivity that the doctors insist isn't related to my thyroid, but I am trying to find some explaination for. I don't know if my age had anything to do with how well I did without medicine or not, but I hope this helped you a little.
Kait
Femy - I had the same surgery ans I am not taking any medication. I had a blood test yesterday and my thyroid was working fine.
Femy - I had the same type of surgery and I am not taking any medication. I feell fine and my blood test shows that my thyroid is working fine.
Fountainpen - I had half of my thyroid removed 8 months ago due to a huge nodule they thought might be cancer. It wasn't, thankfully. I also happen to be a Nurse Practitioner so I understand medicine and can prescribe medications. My TSH has slowly increased and I have started feeling badly with muscle aches, joint pain and fatigue. If the TSH goes up, that means your thyroid hormone is low. Please don't listen to the lay opinions here on this site. Every patient and body is different. Just because one person's system did or didn't require hormone supplementation doesn't mean you will have the same issue. Since thyroid hormone regulates the metabolism, you can die if it gets too low. Your heart actually slows down and stops. Don't take it lightly. Ask your doctor to send you to an endocrinologist for a second opinion. Since low thyroid symptoms can be vague and caused by other problems, make sure you are exercising and eating right too. Good luck!
Wezierose - In November 2009 I had a right side thyroidectomy done for cancer reasons. My doctor didn't put me on any medications all my blood work was normal. There hasn't been any problems for myself...one good change after the surgery was that I got my energy back and didn't feel sick or dizzy as in the past. Not sure if this is a help but I have only half my thyroid and I'm not taking any meds.
Babsben - I had half my thyroid removed in 1977 and took synthroid for a short period of time, maybe 1 yr. I stopped it and have not taken anything since. I would like to believe that my weight gain is a result of a slow thyroid, but according to all the blood tests I am normal. Apparently the other half of my thyroid is compensating for the lobe that is missing.
Nardi - Just reading up on a few peoples comments, did you end up having the surgery? I just had my left side removed, diagnosed first with Follicular Neoplasm and then a week later the pathologist report came back with Hashimoto's...I am so confused with so many different story and reports to read that's why I thought I'd talk to a real person who has gone through some like this
Nardi - Hi~ I'm in the same boat as you, (taking synthyroid though) for about 3 years with no real changes in my mood, tiredness and dry brittle hair/loss. Just by chance they found a tumor in the left side Follicular Neoplasm but it ended up not being cancer, but the pathologist found I have Hashimoto's. How have you been since your last post?
Soconnor - I had half of my thyroid removed in Oct. 2009 because of a large nodule, follicular adenoma. It was benign. My doctors (surgeon and primary care) agreed to my "wait and see" attitude; I didn't want to take the Synthroid if it wasn't necessary. I've had regular bloodwork since the surgery -- it's been over a year now -- and except for a brief, temporary elevation in the TSH level about six months post-op, everything has returned to normal and the half of the thyroid left in there is doing it's job. It is "small but mighty," according to my primary care doc. He still wants me to have bloodwork done once a year to be sure, but for now it's working and I'm not on replacement hormones.
Kwiatrose - Jobella....I was taking levoxyl (they say it's generic for synthroid) and felt horrible the entire time!! Ask your doctor to switch you to Armour Thyroid. I know some people claim not to do well on it, but I'VE DONE SO MUCH BETTER!! All the aches and pains and muscle weakness is gone. My hair still fell out but I've addressed that lately with hormone replacement. I don't know why nothing else worked for that, but so far so good. Give Armour a try. Good luck.
Robin7270 - I have had 1/2 my thyroid out for 14 1/2 years now and have been on NO meds ever sense! I go and get my thyroid checked every 4-6 months and it comes back as Normal every time......I took 2 doses of synthroid after surgery! and thats it! still going strong But I do have to say I have had some symptoms of course hair, heart flutters and things like that, But I also just had a full hysterectomy as well, so maybe this has something to do with my symptoms! I still have the aches, pains, joint pains, cant sleep, feel like I am 75 and I am only 38! Uhhhg! But I went through at least 5 specialist and was diagnosed with sever fibromyalgia and bersidis ( not sure I spelt that one right?) in my hips! I am allergic to many to almost all pain killers, so now I am only on flexeral! It helps but not enough! I am now working out and getting my life on a healthier start and hoping this helps me! I will keep u all updated!
Andrewdawson - my name is andrew and im 24 years old. I had two fine needle biopsys done on a 1.8mm growth on the left side of my thyroid. Both came back inconclusive. My doctor recomended two choices either i wait for three months to see if the nodule grew and can have another biopsy done to it or rather i could be safe and just have 1/2 of my thyroid removed. From what i know my doctor is pretty new and i havent asked her how many times shes done this thyroid removal procedure. Im pretty nervous about the whole situation. Just trying to figure out if i should wait or get a second opinion which ive heard is absolutely necessary, or just go for it and get that baby out and tested. Im a pretty skinny dude and want to remain that way. So im scared that if i get it out ill become hypo or if i dont ill end up with cancer. Ive noticed maybe though that my memory is getting worse and that ive been a little lazy and sleep in all the time, also my focus is lacking more so than it used too. Im getting pretty mean too and become irritated very easily which is a huge contrast from how i used to be which was very relaxed and easy going. All i want to know is if you guys think i should go ahead and get this procedure done to be completely sure or should i wait and get a third biopsy done three months down the road. and also if i were to get this biopsy done do you think i will return to my chilled out more relaxed and easy going ways of life??? Thanks alot everyone!
Chris_n_ga - Andrew - I was in the exact same situation in 2009. I was extremely worried about cancer when the doc said my results were atypical so I decided, without hesitation, to have half of my thyroid removed. My life since then is completely normal as it was before the surgery. I was muscular, energetic and very active. I am the same today and I don't take any meds and never have. Subsequent ultrasounds have revealed the remaining left side of my thyroid has gotten slightly larger to accomodate the increased demand, and this is of no consequence. I never even think about my thyroid except when I get these emails once or twice a year. If I had it to do over again I would definitely wait and see if the nodule changed. Do some research on the frequency of harmless nodules in the normal population and you'll find this condition is quite common. I believe my nodule had been there for a while and I would have died of old age without ever knowing I had it if I had not experienced the "lump in throat" sensation that prompted the ultrasound. The lump sensation was later determined to be caused by LPR (a type of acid reflux).
Waiting isn't going to cause you to get cancer. You either already have thyroid cancer or you don't.
Get a second opinion. Wait 3 months. Worse case scenario - it's cancer, but thyroid cancer is among the most curable cancers. I wish I would have waited but I was so nervous about dying from thyroid cancer, probably just like you are now. You didn't say what prompted the FNAB to begin with. Good luck.
Acw2279 - Hello Andrew, I'm sitting here typing while my neck is covered from my recent op, i've still got the stitches, i've had the right side of my thyroid removed because i hade a nodule almost 2cm diameter, i had it for about 5 years it dindn't affect my thyroid in any way, or even bother me, it wasn't even visible unless i bent my neck right back and poked it!! and i've had about 4 or 5 biopsys in the last 2 to 3 years, all were odd results, nothing bad but nothing good, so finnaly after the last one the edocr. deceided that better to remove it as it was very vascular (lots of blood vessels) and we were never going to get a good result. i'm now waiting to see the surgeon to get the stitches removed and all checked out, i already asked as i left the hospital about blood test to make sure the other half is working, wich is very likely, but they said that they do those test after a few weeks have gone by just to make sure that the remaining half heals and starts working (i live in spain so this could well be what happens here). i was already worrying as i've been very tired, so i thought the worse, but a friend expalined that everybody is different and being tired could be from a bit of the anesthetic still in my system or just my body healing... anyway i feel better today so that's a good sign. i had my nodule for 5 years, so i don't think that a 3 month wait for another biopsy will do you any harm it will give you time to research and think about what you prefer. all mine came out odd, one even came out as a saliva gland... so if you want to wait and get retested there shouldn't be any danger if cancer is what you are afraid of, i hope mine works properly if not i'll be gaining more weight than usual!! remember mine was only removed because all the biopys where inconclusive and i'de get two needle samples everytime, to much blood and not enough tissue. good luck and take care
Andrewdawson - Well thank you for the input. Im supposed to be getting half of my thyroid removed in two days. For now i think I'll wait the three months and see if it grows and either way have another biopsy done. Thing is....if it comes back inconclusive again i just dont know what ill do. I am very nervous about the whole idea of knowing i have a potential cancerous nodule in my thyroid. I'm moving to park city near salt lake city utah here in a month or so and i was thinking that id see a doctor out there. The poplulation is much larger than here in northern michigan where i had the biopsys done. I figure that maybe the doctors might be more experienced out there and maybe they have experienced more of this type of thyroid problems and would be able to tell me more about it and what i should do. I really appreciate the input though. You two have helped me calm down alittle bit. I am worried it might be cancer but if waiting three months wont effect it that much then ill wait. ill get another biopsy done. Chris im glad you are doing good and that the other half of your thyroid is compensating. Live it up my friend . and acw2279 i hope you heal up fast and that your other half will be suitable enough. Im sure it will. Thanks again everyone!
Kwiatrose - Rfoster62: Easy for me to say now that my surgery decision is over and done....however.....if I hadn't been so spooked by the impending DOOM of the possibility of cancer (hubby had passed at that time from a different cancer and I was petrified to have the possibility of it growing inside me!), I think I might have waited for another biopsy to be taken 3 months later. I always felt that IF it were cancerous, wouldn't that fact JUMP out at them on the tests??? My fear took precedence and I just wanted it out!! The effects of that decision has me questioning myself now. Since this post long ago, I've changed off levoxyl (horrible for me) to Armour Thyroid and have been feeling almost normal...the exception? My hair still falls out too much but that COULD be menopausal as well. Too much going on at the same time to tell. Good luck with your decision! Hope this helped and wasn't too late.
Trisha43 - I'm 43 yrs old and I'm going to have half of my Thyroid tooken out. But, I'm nervous. They found a 6.4 multi nodule on my left thyroid. I hope I will be okay. My surgery is April 23 @ 7:30. Please pray for me. Please. Email me if with some good news only. tdubbu43@gmail.com Thank you.
Holly70 - Hi...I had half of my thyroid removed a year ago. I had a 1 cm nodule that came back as a follicular neoplasm from biopsy. It was not cancer. The surgery is not that bad and the recovery for me was about ten days. I had a sore throat but other than that it wasn't bad at all! I get my levels checked every few months to make sure the other half is working and so far it is.... Please don't stress so much over the surgery. I did the same thing and made my self nervous and anxious over fear of the unknown. I promise the surgery and recovery are not that bad! I was 40 when I had mine and I have an aunt that just had hers removed at 73 with no problems!! You will be fine!
Alyson40 - All of the posts here have been very helpful. I just had the left half of thyroid removed on Monday. I had a very large, nontoxic goiter that was first diagnosed in 2007. Since then, it had tripled in size. Prior to the surgery, my thyroid levels were normal. I had an issue with the goiter bc it was very visible on my neck. I am worried that I will become hypothyroid and need meds. My surgeon said that 80% of people, who have had a partial lobectomy, will not require medication. Still worried though. Please email me if you are not on any meds. and have half a thyroid. Alyson24@aol.com Thanks!
Kwiatrose - Alyson40: As my prior posts state, I AM on medication after 1/2 thyroidectomy. It's been 8 years since my surgery and I WAS told that it was POSSIBLE to wait to see if the other half would strengthen enough to function on its own. I, however, felt SO awful in the months following surgery (aches, pains, joint swelling, stiffness, tired etc.) that I decided to take the meds. Even WITH the meds (levoxyl) I felt horrible for a VERY long time (years) until discovering Armour Thyroid. I know some have said it didn't work for them, but for ME?....an amazing improvement ! With levoxly, I felt like I was a 90 year old woman!! My hair continues to thin, however, much to my dismay. I am now 62, have been told that this could be due to menopause but I'll never know since that happened in conjunction with my surgery. You will KNOW very shortly (if not already) if you can live with the bad symptoms and forego the meds. I couldn't but I do know of a friend who had the same surgery and doesn't take meds. He is a male and maybe, since he doesn't have the complications of menopause, feels fine. I guess everyone is different. I wish you the very best!!
Janua - I had my right thyroid removed because of adenomatous goiter. After the surgery my endocrinologist told me that I will be taking my Euthyrox - Levothyroxine for lifetime. But while taking the pills I always felt so weak , I easily get tired and moody. I went to a chiropractor to have my body adjusted, and told him about my taking of the pills, and he took my pills and tried on me. He asked me to laid down and he put the pills on my neck where my thyroid is, and asked me to push his hand and didn't have the strength to push it. Then he removed the pills from my neck and asked me to push his hand again, and my strength came back. ( they have this way of knowing if the medicine you are taking is helpful to you or not). He told me to stop taking the pills because it is not helping me. He advised me to take magnesium everyday, to correct and maintain a proper digestion. And sip some Apple cider vinegar whenever I can. I was told that as long as you have a healthy digestive system, I will be fine :)Of course also by taking proper diet and exercise.
It really works on me :) There are lots of websites that will helps us fight and cure our thyroid problem and they are far way better than our Doctor, know your situation and you can cure yourself... Sometimes Doctors prescribed as some medicine or pills for our health, that doesn't really help. Doctors are businessmen as well...
[link removed] This link is a good read for your thyroid diet.
Jennifer.dunkley63 - i was born with half a throid functioning it uysed to stop working , i was given a boost of vit d when was a baby that got my eyes functioning, i was uny put on levothuroxin at the age of 46, eating fruit and veg avoiding booze, yes a delicate life requalar pattern of sleep, coconut, finding the foods that work for you theres a book its fantastic the thyroid diet mary j shomon, shes a sufferer too and her book has helped me cope
Sarahbaby - i wish you compliment of the season with great joy in my heart for coming in contact with you and i have a special reason of contacting you which i will make known to you when i get your respond o my email address (sarahissa130@yahoo.com) there i will tell you everything about me and the reason of contacting you . SARAH
GOD BLESS YOU DEAR
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