Has anybody ever had their thyroid removed? I've got a 3cm growth on mine. I've had it scanned 3 times in the last 5 yrs and it continues to grow. From the biopsy, it is not cancer. The doc thinks he can get the tumor and only take 1/2 of the thyroid out.

Had it removed in Jul08 for cancer, radiation to get the remaining cells in Oct. Lost about 3 months work. Will take meds rest of my life to make up for lost gland, but not a big deal. Good surgeon can do it with very small scar - the rest will leave you looking like you had your throat cut by a pirate! PM me with questions if you like.

I had most of mine removed in the mid-80's (all on one side and most of it on the other). My allergist/immunologist noticed it was swollen during a routine exam. He had thyroid scan/uptake done, and didn't like the results so decided to remove it. It was biopsied during surgery and found to be malignant. Afterward, I was put on daily thyroxin replacement therapy (1 pill) and have gotten along fine ever since.

I was out of commission for a couple of weeks and really didn't feel like doing much for 2 or 3 months, but after that was back in the game. The scar is down at the base of my neck and is barely noticeable.

Like Bruce, if I can help further drop me a PM.

The hardest part is the constipation caused by the pain killers....take stool softeners!

Make sure you have a doc that is going to have a pathology performed while you are on the table. (1997)I had a fine needle biopsy that confirmed papillary cancer. The "in network" clown I was referred to was going to remove the half of the thyroid with the lump then send it off for biopsy. Once it was again confirmed malignant (about 5 days later) he was going open me up again to remove the other half ( this was old, old, old protocol) ......that is how you end up w/ a pirate's scar and can end up losing your parathyroids. Be sure and ask your doc about preserving your parathyroids on the side the half thyroid is being removed from. The parathyroid is extremely important...it regulates calcium. I have read that in some cases where the lump is well encapsulated or defined only a lumpectomy is done....just a thought.

What do they call the doctor that graduated last in his class?..."doctor!"

I prefer doctors in the 35 to 45 year old range....they are up on the latest improved techniques. Seems like when they are in that 50+ range some get in a rut and don't upgrade their knowledge base.

I also prefer my surgery to be done at a teaching hospital when doctors are training new doctors everyone is really paying attention and they have all the new toys.

I have had two carpal tunnel releases, a thoracotomy, a couple of broken bones, I don't know how many stitches and how many times I should have been stitched up, and a thyroidectomy. The thyroidectomy was of little bother. Of course finding out I had cancer was scary.....The aftermath of the surgery was fairly pain free...since you are having only half of your thyroid removed you shouldn't have to deal with thyroid hormone supplement.

Follow directions and good luck.

My Wife had it done-runs in her family (1/2 removed, but only after much conjecture and a change of not only diagnoses, but doc's and delivery structures) It can be a tough putt till the med's get properly balanced. Some get lucky and reach the proper balance with only subtle adjustments. Some others end up taking what must feel like an interminable number of fine tuning tweaks?
(FYI: Have someone you know, love and trust gauge you for atypical aggressive behavior while getting the med's adjusted. Don't ask me how I know...)

Man, ain't that the truth! Thank God for a loving and patient wife!

(FYI: Have someone you know, love and trust gauge you for atypical aggressive behavior while getting the med's adjusted. Don't ask me how I know...)


Thanks for the all the responses.