My sister had her's irradiated several years ago. She's now on replacement hormones (but not synthroid) and is doing very well. She's much happier, and symptom free.

I can only speak of living without 2/3 of my left node. I have all of the right and 1/3 of the left remaining. You are not alone in not being able to take synthroid! When I had the 2/3 of the left side removed in 1991, the dr put me on it. Within 3 days, I itched soooooo bad! No visible hives, but I itched something horrible. When I told him that was the only difference, no other meds, no change in soaps, foods, ect., he nastily told me the only reason he put me on it was to keep me from having any further growths. I only went back to him once, for the follow up after my surgery, as he was not personable at all. He knew his stuff, but his bedside manner stunk! I have had no further problems and am on no other meds for it. I wish you luck. The surgery then wasn't that big a deal. I still have some of the scar, but I scar easily. Looks like about a 6" necklace. Don't put it off if it's that bad! There are other meds they can give you.

Tami

My DH had his removed 40 years ago when he was 17. He has done OK. He went on thyroid medicine, Levoxyl, 14 years ago. He has had good luck with that. Are you seeing a endocrinologist? Don't trust a GP or Internist.

DH got some good information from this website over the years. It is all about thyroids.
Clare

Here is a link that might be useful: thyroid about

My DH had his removed in his twenties, and he lived for about 50 years after that. He didn't do well at all on Synthroid, but had excellent results with Armour.

My DD had hers removed several years ago and is doing fine. Don't know what she is taking, but she is allgeric to alot of things and her Dr really worked with her. Some made her heart race so fast. A good Dr. will moniter you for awhile. She had breathing problems but found out after it was taken out, they found a very tiny, tiny bit of cancer, completly contained. So for her it was a good thing.

My DH has been without his for about 15 years. He does well on Synthroid, but not on the others the doctor has tried him on. I think it depends on the individual. He is a much nicer person than he was back when he had his thyroid...because it was so messed up.

You will do fine. Once they get you all lined out on the meds, it will be a piece of cake.

My sister had hers removed around 30 years ago and has done fine without it.

Oh, you guys are wonderful. I'm a little nervous because the pain has been pretty bad lately - hoping nothing else is going on. Once I get the results back, I will probably have to have another biopsy if I decide not to have it removed. But at this point, I think I'm ready. I am totally miserable, and it is affecting my ability to even get started in the morning - not good when you have to be on time to work. So, thanks again - felt like a big hug, which I needed. KTrs are great.

I had my rightside,1/3 of the left and they also scraped the isthmus,back in 76.I had been on synthroid before the surgery,but mine kept growing and i was having trouble swallowing,and my voice kept getting hoarse.My hair was falling out,my skin was like a snake,(shedding)very dry,was gaining weight and feeling just moody and so unlike myself.
I had great drs and surgeon.You can't even see my scar as they did it in the fold of my neck.20 years later i started having problems again and they felt the nodules growing again on what was left of the left side,so they did surgery and removed the rest.

I still from time to time have to get my meds adjusted,and i am very aware when that needs doing,more so than the test they run.

I couldn't talk for awhile after the surgery,so my friend bought me a bell to ring when i needed something,worked like a charm.

Good luck to you,keep a positive attitude.Will keep you in prayer.
Kathi

Oh ... *that* 'roid! I thought you were trying to get to the "bottom" of an entirely different problem. LOL

I can't offer any advise, but am interested in what others have to say. My 23 year old daughter had a cyst form on her right lobe when she was 13. She has it aspirated every few months. Her right lobe functions and all her blood work is fine, but that could change at any time. I am also curious what it is like to live without a thyroid because it may come down to her having to face that decision some day.

Best of luck to you.

Jodi-

Question seems to be ... "Can thee live well without thy-roid?"

Have no advice to offer - good or otherwise: sorry.

o j

I thought you were talking about hemmorhoids, too.

I had radiation therapy that greatly reduced the activity of mine over 20 years ago, and I'm fine. I take Levothroid, but am interested in trying the more complete Armour thyroid replacement.

My friend had thyroid cancer many years ago and hers was removed. She takes some kind of replacement hormone and she's okay too.

We both teach school full time.

Here is a link that might be useful: info on Armour thyroid meds

If you have it removed you need to be on an artificial hormone to replace your missing hormone. My friend had her thyroid totally removed. She was back at work in a week, went on Levoxyl and has felt just fine since then. I've been on levoxyl for 14 years, no side effects but if you do have them there are other drugs that may work better. You cannot live without thryoid hormones. The thyroid affects every organ in your body and if it's not adjusted to the proper tsh (total serum hormone) you won't feel well and it can lead to heart, liver kidney problems. I have complete faith that you'll come through the surgery just fine and adapt to the drug as well. Good luck, let us know when you're having it done and we'll all pray for you.

My 6 yo son who went through chemo when he was 3 and half has an unterfunction of his thyroid.He takes synthroid. He has had no problems so far with it. I wish you all the best.
Lisa