I'm hoping someone on here can relate to my issue. It was determined today by an endcronologist that I need to have my thyroid surgically removed (right thyroid in my throat). I had labs done = my levels are fine. I had an ultrasound done to determine the size = it is almost 4 cm. I had a biopsy done to determine if it was cancerous = it is not cancerous. The enlarged thyroid does not bother me....no problems swallowing or breathing. She said that once a thyroid nodule becomes 3 cm, they recommend them to be surgically removed....mine is at 4 cm. She was actually quite shocked at the size.
My dilemna is that my husband and I are 'in the mist' of TTC #2. (I'm in the 2 week waiting period). We have a 2 year old DS. The doctor said that if I'm not PG this month, that I should have the surgery done before I get PG. But I'm so worried that having my thyroid removed will make getting PG difficult....it would really mess up my hormones, right? She did say that I would be put on hormone replacement pills. My DH and I are going to go in and talk to her more. (btw, this is only our 1st month TTC#2).
I guess I'm just looking to see if others have experienced anything similar to this. TIA!
TTC = Trying to Conceive
PG = Pregnant
DS = Dear Son
DH = Dear Husband
SAHM = Stay at Home Mom
TIA = Thanks in Advance
I had my right thyroid removed and to be honest its painful at first but it didnt mess up any chances for me to conceive.Im not on any medication and mine was not cancerouse.Also my hormones are just the same as they were before.My mother had her entire throid removed..She was and still is on medication for it.. She was still able to conceive also.Dont let it scare you..Best of luck!
Hello A.. I'm sorry your going through some rough times. I haven't personally had your problem. I just wanted to suggest you get a second opinion. One because it is surgery, and two because it's you thyroid. Being that it is your thyroid, it serves several functions. I don't want to give you any scary stories, but you might just want to get a second opinion to keep yourself safe and your future pregnancy healthy. Good luck with everything.
Hi A.! I don't know anything about this but I do go to a forum, myfitnessfriends.com and there is a girl in Texas named Susan who has had this surgery. Maybe you can join our site and talk to her. She's really sweet!
S.
I have not had the surgery myself, but have performed the sugery. It is not really about you feeling anything or even it being cancerous, unless of course they are. It comes down to the fact that the larger they are, the more pressure it is on you Artery and if you are squeezing your Arteries (Carotid Arter). Once you begin to have enlarged thyroids and the pressure is squeezing on the Artery, you begin to have a lot of pressure hindering the blood flow. You do not want to hinder your blood flow, elevate your blood pressure, or you run the risk of death... similiar to what everyone knows as clogged arteries in the heart..more people are familiar with that senerio. Please get you other opinion or go to your doctors appointment with an open mind. It will not do anyone any good if the problem worsens and you become pregnant and have your BP raise or have worse problems and your husband is left raising your child(ren) depending on how fast yours grow. Definately take this serious and give it some great thought. Pregnancy can wait so that you may have a longer healthier life with your children, not them without you.
Good Luck.
A.,
If you are concerned about the recommendations for surgery, do seek a second opinion. That said, a 4cm nodule in the thyroid gland is quite large. The neck is a confined space and allowing a nodule to grow for 9-12 months while you are TTC can lead to compressive problems. The main reason to remove the thyroid gland when a nodule is over 3cm is because you cannot prove a small cancer is not growing in that large nodule. Biopsies are small needle passes through the gland, a 4 cm nodule (@1.5 inches) can hide a small cancer or pre-cancerous area not sampled with a needle biopsy. Hopefully this is not the case but that is why the concern exists if you leave this alone. Best of luck and ask lots of questions of your endocrinologist and surgeon.
-JD
I am no doctor but I've had hypothyroid since I was 13 yrs old, 30 years ago. Wow, that's sounds terrible. Anyway, all I can say is make sure this is your only way to go. Get a second opinion and get a highly recommended dr.
Congratulations is you're pregnant. And please tell me what
SAHM stands for. Don't mean to sound stupid, I see it a ot but have no idea what what it stands for. Must've missed something along the way?
Hi A.,
I would recommend seeking a second opinion before having your thyroid removed surgically. In the end it may still be the best choice, but I would seek alternate treatment first because it IS a permanent choice.
I do have a thyroid condition (Hashimoto Thyroiditis - hypothyroidism) and I am also TTC child #2. I realize that your situation is different in that it appears like there is nothing "wrong" with your thyroid - only enlarged. Be assured that IF you do remove your thyroid - the levels can be controlled through hormone replacement pills - like your doc was saying. However, it may take a few months to get them regulated. And it is very important during pregnancy (especially during the first trimester) to keep your thyroid levels under control. It can drastically effect your developing baby if they are not.
My levels at one time were astronomical. I was hospitalized with levels at 132 - but still did not have to remove my thyroid. And because your levels seem fine, I would just recommend a second opinion before surgery.
If you would like the contact info for my endocrinologist or would just like to chat more, feel free to email me.
Good luck [and have fun =0)] TTC again!
D.
I have been on hormone replacement pills for my thyroid for years. It dose take a little time fpr your body to get use to the meds, about a month or so but i was able to get preg. I had other problems so i also had to take fertillity meds, this might be an option for you if you have problems getting preg. But i still have my thyroid but it is not working at all some times. Good luck
M.
I had my thyroid and parathyroids completely removed in 2002, it had been enlarged for many years (since I was a child). It wasn't until after I had my second child (in 2001) that my TSH levels went wild and I went completely hypothyroid with a level of 142 by the time I had it taken out. I was completely miserable, tired, in a constant "mental fog", and felt like I could barely function. It took nearly a year from the first signs of symptoms (that I didn't immediately recognize)to get the initial lab work, get referred to an endo doc, get referred to a surgeon, get the operation, and then get my medications adjusted post-op so that I felt normal again.
When my husband and I were ready to try for #3 in 2003 we have no trouble getting pregnant. I saw my endocrinologist more often during the pregnancy to monitor my TSH levels and immediate adjust meds as needed. We had a beautiful and healthy baby boy in February of 2004.
Having been through all of this, I can say without a doubt that I would recommend going ahead and getting your thyroid out before it starts wrecking havoc on you. (I was told later that each time you go through pregnancy it can have a profound effect on your thyroid, often kicking you into hypothyroidism even without prior thyroid issues.) If I had known what I would be facing down the road and if a doctor would have suggested going ahead and having it taken out when it was just enlarged and not yet a problem, I would have jumped at the chance!
I hope this helps you. You can email me if you would like to talk more, ____@____.com luck!
