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Don,

You too have been through the hyper-thyroid mill. I do not understand how one test can be hyper, the next hypo. And yes, emotional instability must be a common feature of an overactive thyroid. I still have a little less than half of my thyroid, and half of my para-thyroids, which puts me in a better situation than yours. Your list of medical difficulties must be more challenging than mine. However, I suspect that many of us here have multiple medical issues that affect us. Thanks for your reply. I look forward to every bit of advice you offer.

My GI did my tests and she thought she would find gastroparesis but thankfully no. I’ve met people with that disease and seen what it can do. I wouldn’t want to go through it. I’m sorry to hear you do. I’ve read your posts. I feel for you. None of this is easy. I’ve been in therapy trying to work through my health issues because it’s so much to deal with. As far as your thyroid, were you taking methimazole for hyperthyroid? If the drug took effect like it was supposed to, it can suppress the thyroid hormones causing hypothyroidism. That happened to me. Then I had my surgery. I couldn’t have it while hyper. That could cause thyroid storm which is BAD. So they had to suppress my hormones. And yes, mood disturbances are very common in thyroid lability.

I cannot tell you exactly what thyroid medications I was on. However, the moment I was admitted, the staff started with three IVs, piggybacks, a heparin lock, and a permanent blood pressure cuff and a Foley, so I guess they didn't miss anything.

I was hyperthyroid for 6 months. Was put on methimazole which reverses hyperthyroidism back in February. It took a while to take effect. They drew labs every 4 weeks. Eventually I became euthyroid (normal) and they declared me safe for surgery. On the date of my admission (5/31), they drew more labs and I was actually hypothyroid. Which is much safer. My ENT and Endocrinologist told me surgery on a hyperthyroid can cause serious complications. The kind you really don’t want. Hyperthyroidism is much worse than hypo. I told my ENT surgeon about my neuropathy and what it does to me. They thought it was safe. But I had to get all kinds of documentation clearance from my specialists. I had a pre-surgery physical and met with the surgery nurse coordinator who went over it all. I have cardiac issues too so they had to look at that. They proceeded with my surgery. It went ok. Thyroid came out fine. Anesthesia was rough. They had to narcan me twice. My surgeon did let me wear a diaper into surgery. It took several hours. I went in with an Abena but I don’t think it held up. My surgeon put in a foley once I was asleep and took it out before I woke up. My wife helped to redress me.

Prior to surgery I had blood tests too numerous to remember; some tests required 12-18 vials of blood, so I guess my surgical team were keeping track of things. And I did come through with flying colors, so I must not have endured a thyroid storm. But my throat is still, a week after the surgery, really sore, which indicates that they must have had one huge trache in me.

Patrick my heart goes out to you my mom has high hypothyroidism she cannot tolerate cold temperatures

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"We cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love" Mother Teresa

"THERE ARE FOUR LIGHTS!" - Captain Picard from Chain of Command, Part II

Thank you for your support. Hypothyroidism can be challenging in its own way. It can be especially difficult to manage during the colder moths, and can slow everything down, including the GI system, causing constipation, which can be maddening and painful.