Hypothyroidism After Total Thyroidectomy and Thyroid Cancer

Dealing with Hypothyroidism on a daily basis can become challenging. In March of 2009 I had a total thyroidectomy and was diagnosed with micro papillary cancer. Since that time my thyroid levels have been continuously up and down. The symptoms of hypothyroidism and sometimes hyperthyroidism since thyroid blood levels can also go to low, can be bothersome. I have experienced hot flashes, heat intolerance, cold intolerance, constipation, diarrhea, depression and many other numerous side effects including blurred vision.

After 6 months of having blood work done every 4 weeks to see what my thyroid levels,Vitamin D levels and adrenal test were I have finally had normal blood work, but the side effects continue. Tomorrow I have an appointment with a neurologist to see what type of neuropathy problem i am having now, another problem that showed up after having a total thyroidectomy. It is so irritating to start having one problem show up right after the next when you just thought, here I'll go have the surgery and get it over with and i can go back to my life again, but that's not what happens, it seems your body rebels to having your thyroid taken out and it literally feels as if your body is breaking down on you.

I believe if doctors were more honest with you and would actually sit down and talk to you about Hypothyroidism instead of treating you like you are crazy, which in most cases doctors do, we wouldn't worry so much about the symptoms. The symptoms can have a life altering effect not only on you but your spouse as well, unless he or she has the disease and can sympathize with what you are going thru. I go thru life now on a day to day basis, wondering what is going to show up next. I was glad that i had a husband who could sympathize with me as he was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in 2001 and at first went thru a hell of his own until his thyroid levels were straightened out.

We all need support when going thru this awful and sometimes debilitating disease, some people are lucky in that it doesn't really affect them much, but others are in constant pain, depression or many other effects this disease can have on you. Also, it seems that having a total thyroidectomy can throw you into menopause, which is one thing i lucked out on, seeing as that i had a total hysterectomy in 1986 and had both my ovaries removed in 1996. I still have to deal with the hot flashes everyday and especially at night, but after awhile they do calm down to where you are not having them as often. Menopause symptoms can be controlled. At night wear cotton nightshirts to sleep in, and avoid caffeine and sugar before bedtime as it makes the hot flashes worse.

To get support for this disease and many others you can go to :

Medhelp.org

Thyca.org