Question:
Has anyone become hypothyroid after surgery? I'm 7 months post op.

Wouldn't the drs have found this prior to my surgery when I had blood work done? This latest panel was at my request since I wanted a B-12 shot for fatique and the dr wouldn't give me one w/o the blood work. So now I still don't have a B-12 shot but am prescribed synthetic hormones. Anyone have some input?    — Cindy P. (posted on July 16, 2002)

September 30, 2004
No, theybwould not have caught what theywerer not looking for. I speak from experience. I have had a 4 month problem with energy levels, and have had to insist on tsh levels,b-12 levels, iron levels,folic levels,ect. You have to become learned and speak up for what you need unfortunatly at times.AND I have seen several DRS.But if you feel like there is something wrong, make them persue it. For what it's worth......... Good luck.
   — Candy M.

September 30, 2004
I was hypothyroid a couple of years before surgery, and let me tell you, it is like pulling teeth to get someone to treat hypothyroidism properly. The TSH is only a piece of the story. You need to have a free T3 and free T4 drawn, and see a good endocrinologist, one who will listen to you and work with you to get you feeling normal again. I bet the doc started you on a low dose of Synthroid. My TSH only ent as high as 2.95, but my normal was 1.17. I felt absolutely awful - fatigue, aches and pains (my elbows hurt - go figure), brain fog, hair falling out, etc. My PCP wanted to treat me with NSAIDs and antidepressents, but finally relented and put me on a low dose of Synthroid. Luckily, I saw a wonderful endo, who started me on 3 times the amount of Synthroid my PCP had prescribed. I was feeling more normal in just a few days! I have since switched to Levoxyl, as the Synthroid seemed to not be working for me after about 6 months. I have felt great ever since. Good luck!
   — koogy