Hypothyroidism Support Group
Hypothyroidism is the disease state caused by insufficient production of thyrohormone by the thyroid gland. There are several distinct causes for chronic hypothyroidism, the most common being Hashimoto's thyroiditis and hypothyroidism following radioiodine therapy for hyperthyroidism. Advanced hypothyroidism may cause severe complications, the most serious one of which is...
I've been hypothyroid since 2010, and everything's been regulated and under control until now. 4 months ago, I had my daughter. I went for a doctor's appointment for sinus issues. She noticed my thyroid was bigger than usual. She gave me antibiotics for the sinus infection and thought they would also help the thyroid. She also thought it could be the excess hormones from the pregnancy. I went back for a follow up 2 weeks later. She gave me orders for an ultrasound. This pst Friday I had the ultrasound done, nurse from doctor's office called to give me results.... They're sending me to a specialist to see if my thyroid should be removed, biopsied, or if there's any meds that could help. Right now I'm unsure about all of it. I haven't seen the specialist, but I'm to the point that I want it removed. My hair has been falling out in huge clumps, there's not a moment when I don't have a headache, and I'm EXHAUSTED all of the time - I could go to sleep at 8 p.m. and wake up at 6 a.m. and still be exhausted. Is there anyone you know who's had their thyroid removed, if so what was the procedure/recovery like, and how's their life changed, better/worse?
Your symptoms certainly sound hypo but you need to test to see where things actually are. I want to mention though that removing the thyroid will make you permanently hypo - it's not going to fix how you feel and you'll need to take more medication to replace what your thyroid isn't making any longer. Once you get the medication balanced though you should start feeling better.
Did they say what they found in the ultrasound? From what I can remember, they usually only remove the thyroid if there is cancer, or hypER thryoidism that can't be controlled. If you have a thyroid disorder it's fairly common to have inflammation or nodules - try not to worry too much about the referral to a specialist.
I certainly understand the desire to just take the blasted thing out though :) The ups and downs can be difficult to live with. Hang in there and get as much info from the specialist that you can, and if they haven't run labs to test your current thyroid levels you should ask for that. Feel better!
Take Care
I would resist getting the thyroid "out" and ask to be treated for hypothyroidism based on the Free T3 and Free T4 tests (not the tsh test) to see if it will "shrink" and give it a few months. That is, of course, unless they say it is absolutely thyroid cancer (which is fairly rare, but easily treated).
JessM gave you good advice on which tests to get, and you are not alone...not by a long shot. So, hang in there and let us know what this doc says, K?