Partial Thyroidectomy this month

[stopham3]

Hi,

I really need reassurance that I am not barking mad

About 3 years ago I developed the most awful frozen shoulder with chest and neck pain. I couldn't lift my arm (left side) to get undressed without yelping.
Saw my GP (I'm in the UK) and he diagnosed costochondritis and sent me off with analgesia that had little effect. Roll forward 2 years and I spot a lump in my neck (left side), so went to GP and several TSH tests, all fell between 0.6 and 0.85. As these were normal they refused to do any other tests.
Then I was sent for a scan which showed a slighty enlarged thyroid on the right and a sizeable cyst on the left. About 2 inches long by 1 inch wide, went for numerous FNAs all negative thankfully.

During all this experiencing the following ;

palpitations
hair loss
itching
ear ache
HUGE appetite
continous shoulder/neck pain
difficulty getting to sleep and awake early (I have about 5 hrs a night)
stiff joints - a real butter fingers, aching legs when I stand up
heavy periods.

I was seen by an Endo Doc, who said it was all in my mind and nothing needed doing but he would refer me to surgeon for cosmetic reasons if I wanted. I said yes to try and get a fresh opinion. The surgeon said much the same re ; my symptoms however he did say I needed a partial thyroidectomy. It doesn't help that I am about 28 pounds overweight, they just looked at me and said you can't be hyper.

I have just received op date for the 16th of this month.

I have a couple of questions that I hope someone can answer.

Will the symptoms go or get worse post op. ?
What are the chances of needing meds afterwards ?
If my symptoms are not thyroid related what else could they be ?

thanks
Ness

[LisaBob]

I'm sorry you are going through so much. The symptoms certainly could be indicative of thyroid trouble. You might also research various autoimmune diseases as they often have many of the same symptoms. (I'd been diagnosed with Sjogren's, Lupus, Hashimoto's...) I think mine all goes back to my thyroid personally. They're still not sure - after 11 years.

I don't know for a fact but it would seem you might need meds after a partial thyroidectomy - unless the other part is able to compensate. I be you could do an internet search on that subject and get some pretty reliable information.

Best of luck to you.

Lisa

[stopham3]

Thank you Lisa

I am a little worried about mondays op. and what will happen after.

One thing I forgot to mention in my first post was after my FNA the results showed some hurthle cells. Can any one explain in simple terms what these are please ?

thanks
Vanessa

[ychonks]

Vanessa,

I had a partial thyroidectomy on 08/24 and I feel fine. I am going to be put on a small dosage of thyroid suppressent so that my left lobe doesn't work too hard. But it's been almost two months and I feel just fine.

What is a Hurthle Cell?
A Hurthle cell is a kind of thyroid cell which has a distinctive look: under the microscope it is bigger than a follicular cell and has pink-staining cellular material.

I have interpreted this as a type of mutated cell, larger than normal that can either be malignant or benign. I am not trying to worry you. The reason I had a partial was because I had some hurthle cells in a nodule.

I hope it goes well and if you have anymore questions just let me know. And try not to worry.

Yvonna

[stopham3]

Hi Yvonna,

thank you for the information. I find when i search the web the info. out there is sooooo indept and frankly quite scary at times .

I am pleased you are doing well. I hope that post op. I will lose all these horrid symptoms, gets kinda trying after a while huh.

Thanks again
Vanessa