https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 08 Apr 2026 14:05:30 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-make-the-right-choice#post-1687907 Sun, 08 Jun 2014 22:49:40 +0000 sapphire 1687907@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a complete thyroidectomy due to thyroid cancer. I also had radioactive iodine afterwards, but was not pregnant so didn't have as many of the issues to deal with as you would. If I would have chosen just one of them, I'd choose the surgery! It is not true that you won't be able to lose weight without having your thyroid gland. The medication works just as your thyroid would - it's the same hormone. It's also not likely that you'll have your synthroid dose adjusted that frequently. It takes a little while to get it adjusted, but then for most people, you're stable (much more so than with Grave's, because you no longer have the thyroid gland producing TSH in addition to the medication). I'd be happy to answer any questions you have about either procedure! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-make-the-right-choice#post-1687881 Sun, 08 Jun 2014 22:12:21 +0000 MamaPhoenix 1687881@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ashleyt: @MrsKoala: I knew about Methimazole too I wonder why that didn't even cross my mind? My endo didn't even bring it up. I wonder why. He jumped right into "our next route is RAI" right away. Unless I have a goiter that's getting to big? I know my throat has been sore lately. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-make-the-right-choice#post-1687862 Sun, 08 Jun 2014 21:59:28 +0000 Dandelion 1687862@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My mom had her thyroid removed and THEN had the radiation trwatment. I wouldn't do the radiation with a young baby. My mom is living without ta thyroid no problem. I know a few people who live without one and it's not that big of a deal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-make-the-right-choice#post-1687847 Sun, 08 Jun 2014 21:50:34 +0000 MrsKoala 1687847@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaPhoenix: true there is the chance. I second the suggestion of trying methimazole and seeing how you do with it. I often forget about it as a possible solution since I am allergic to it. They probably would have started you on methimazole in the first place if you weren't pregnant when you were diagnosed. I think it's worth a try to control it with meds if you can. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-make-the-right-choice#post-1687838 Sun, 08 Jun 2014 21:41:42 +0000 deactivated_account 1687838@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I"m so sorry you have to deal with this lady. Without knowing much more than what you stated in your original post, I would choose the surgery. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-make-the-right-choice#post-1687816 Sun, 08 Jun 2014 21:21:08 +0000 ashleyt 1687816@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What about switching to methimazole? Much lower risk of liver damage. You only need to be on PTU in the first trimester of pregnancy. I have many patients who stay on methimazole for years and do well. If your hyperthyroidism is difficult to control you likely need definitive treatment, but if it can be managed with meds there is no rush. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-make-the-right-choice#post-1687807 Sun, 08 Jun 2014 21:13:33 +0000 MamaPhoenix 1687807@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsKoala: I would love to stay just on PTU but there's damage to the liver and kidney's with long term use. He's already screened for damage last month. So far things are still good, but he wants me off of it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-make-the-right-choice#post-1687750 Sun, 08 Jun 2014 20:29:30 +0000 Weagle 1687750@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would go for the surgery. My cousin was born without a thyroid at all, and it really hasn't affected her life too much. Sorry you are dealing with this. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-make-the-right-choice#post-1687743 Sun, 08 Jun 2014 20:23:27 +0000 travelgirl1 1687743@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm so sorry you're dealing with such a difficult situation, I think, taking in mind everything you've said and especially your dad's history, I would have the surgery. Good luck with whatever you decide :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-make-the-right-choice#post-1687737 Sun, 08 Jun 2014 20:18:56 +0000 MrsKoala 1687737@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have Graves' and was pushed to do RAI. I didn't feel comfortable with it and opted to stay on PTU for the foreseeable future. I was on it for 3 years and we started to reduce meds until I was off completely. I haven't had a symptom since. My sister also has Graves' and she did not respond well to the meds. She opted for surgery. It was successful and she has been on synthroid for a while now. It hasn't been a hassle for her in terms of taking the meds and she isn't constantly adjusting them. </p> <p>I guess my question is how well does PTU help with your levels and symptoms? Is your heart affected? My sister couldn't continue in meds because her tachycardia was causing atrial fibrillation whereas meds fixed my tachycardia. If your heart isn't affected, then I don't see why you can't stay on PTU instead of the more permanent RAI or thyroidectomy. If I had to choose, I'd go with the surgery though. I don't feel comfortable with putting radiation in my body and the increased incidence of thyroid cancer in those who have RAI scared me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-make-the-right-choice#post-1687736 Sun, 08 Jun 2014 20:18:19 +0000 Ree723 1687736@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm sorry to hear you're going through this. I'd go with the surgery as the radiation treatment sounds so iffy in terms of success rates and has the additional complications with it. Big hugs to you, hoping everything turns out ok! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-make-the-right-choice#post-1687732 Sun, 08 Jun 2014 20:15:35 +0000 Synchronicity 1687732@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm so sorry! You've been through a lot. I would 100% get the surgery so that I could (hopefully) be done with it all. What a tough decision though. :goodluck: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-make-the-right-choice#post-1687718 Sun, 08 Jun 2014 20:00:22 +0000 Greentea 1687718@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaPhoenix: Aw, hugs to you! I am hypothyroid- very very very much so. It is hereditary and I probably had it for years without knowing. That being said, with a good doctor you trust to regulate your levels it is very manageable. During pregnancy my OB, for example, checked me every four weeks. It isn't too much of a lifestyle change other than getting checked and having to wait 30 minutes to eat breakfast! I know surgery can be scary but if you choose to go that route, I think afterward should be (hopefully and very likely) manageable. The thought of meds "for the rest of your life" was a bit daunting at first but turns out not to be such a big deal afterall (and I am not a big medicine taker!). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-make-the-right-choice#post-1687704 Sun, 08 Jun 2014 19:35:39 +0000 MamaPhoenix 1687704@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@locavore_mama: yes the surgery is 100% as long as they do a total thyroidectomy, but causes a me to need synthroid. The radiation I would get is the iodine radiation. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-make-the-right-choice#post-1687690 Sun, 08 Jun 2014 19:20:38 +0000 regberadaisy 1687690@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaPhoenix: if you have the surgery will it be 100% effective?<br /> What about the iodine radiation? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-make-the-right-choice#post-1687685 Sun, 08 Jun 2014 19:17:58 +0000 mamimami 1687685@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Synthroid is no big deal. If you have to have any chronic health issue, hypothyroid or no thyroid (when controlled) is the one to have. You'll do great! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-make-the-right-choice#post-1687667 Sun, 08 Jun 2014 19:05:34 +0000 Mrs. Lion 1687667@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am hypothyroid and will have to be on synthroid the rest of my life as well. Honestly, it doesn't affect me at all. I have to get my levels checked frequently as my levels are leveling out post baby, but I can now tell when things feel "off" and contact my doctor. Radiation sounds very scary, and synthroid isn't scary to me at all. Hugs momma...I am sure this is so stressful. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-make-the-right-choice#post-1687662 Sun, 08 Jun 2014 19:04:03 +0000 Mrs.Someone 1687662@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sorry you're dealing with this :( It sounds like the radiation has too many "what ifs" associated with it. I have a friend who had her thyroid removed in her late teens due to thyroid cancer and she has been perfectly fine after having it removed. Synthyroid is a easy medication to be on (I'm on it for Hashimoto's), so I think that would be easier than dealing with the unknowns of radiation. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-make-the-right-choice#post-1687661 Sun, 08 Jun 2014 19:03:39 +0000 T.H.O.U. 1687661@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My mom doesn't have her thyroid and she has done a great job maintaining her weight (even through menopause). The surgery went well except they did seem to aggravate her vocal chord. It took about six months for her voice to return to full strength.</p> <p>One other thought and not to scare you would be to look at the risks of radiation and secondary cancers especially breast cancer in women. I'm very glad my treatment did not require radiation. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-make-the-right-choice#post-1687657 Sun, 08 Jun 2014 19:02:37 +0000 avivoca 1687657@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If it were me, I would choose surgery, no question. Radiation scares me. I have a friend who was born without her thyroid, and she has been able to manage her weight after struggling with it during her teens. It has been difficult, but doable. </p> <p>I'm so sorry you have to make this decision. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-make-the-right-choice#post-1687656 Sun, 08 Jun 2014 19:01:49 +0000 Adira 1687656@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would also choose the surgery, especially with the thyroid cancer in your family. It seems like a more permanent solution that wouldn't mess up your family plans. But I'll admit, I don't know much about living without a thyroid or how rough take might be. Good luck to you. &lt;3 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-make-the-right-choice#post-1687650 Sun, 08 Jun 2014 18:56:55 +0000 cheesetomywhine 1687650@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would choose surgery since it seems like a done deal (minus the pill and adjustments) rather than possible future radiation. I am so sorry that you are dealing with this. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-make-the-right-choice#post-1687640 Sun, 08 Jun 2014 18:52:10 +0000 lilteacherbee 1687640@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would have the surgery. A friend of mine had her thyroid removed and from what I can tell, she's doing fine with little or no complications. Good luck with the decision :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-make-the-right-choice#post-1687639 Sun, 08 Jun 2014 18:52:05 +0000 MamaPhoenix 1687639@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsMccarthy: @cyndistar3: @Ginabean3: @beaker: @tinyperson: @matador84: @Bao: Thank you so much all of you! I was staring to doubt my thoughts on the whole thing and needed fresh eyes to look at the situation for me. I know The Endo is going to push for the radiation being that its their protocol for Graves. He tried talking me out of it once saying I was too young. What does age have to do with it? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-make-the-right-choice#post-1687637 Sun, 08 Jun 2014 18:48:40 +0000 Bao 1687637@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm so sorry. I would have the surgery though. Best of luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-make-the-right-choice#post-1687633 Sun, 08 Jun 2014 18:47:37 +0000 matador84 1687633@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm sorry all of that is happening to you. Personally, I'd have the thyroid surgery. The risk outweighs the benefit to me for iodine radiation. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-make-the-right-choice#post-1687632 Sun, 08 Jun 2014 18:47:31 +0000 tinyperson 1687632@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm hypothyroid, and I'm on synthroid for the rest of my life. It's just a tiny pill once a day. I say that versus all the side effects of radiation, go surgery... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-make-the-right-choice#post-1687630 Sun, 08 Jun 2014 18:42:15 +0000 Mrs. Tiger 1687630@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What a decision. I would choose the surgery, it seems like it would be tough for a shorter period of time, rather than rearranging your whole life + plans for over a year. </p> <p>I am sorry you're going through this and that you're stressed. I'll be thinking about you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-make-the-right-choice#post-1687629 Sun, 08 Jun 2014 18:39:49 +0000 Ginabean3 1687629@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would have the surgery. It seems less disruptive to your life (even though I get it's scary getting your thyroid removed!) Plus your sweet girl won't care if you carry a few extra pounds. Best of luck to you! :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-make-the-right-choice#post-1687626 Sun, 08 Jun 2014 18:35:27 +0000 cyndistar3 1687626@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's such a personal choice but I can say I would probably have the surgery. I hope you can find the right option for you and you and your family :heart: </p>