Pills V Operation

[Biccylova]

I have an overactive thyroid and have been given the choice of an operation or long term carbimazole, has anyone out there some advice please.

[ummmm]

Have they given you the success rate of the op?

[Buenchico]

Are you not suitable for radioiodine treatment?

This link provides information about each option and might help you to make your decision:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/overactive-thyroid-hyperthyroidism/treatment/

[Biccylova]

No not suitable for radioiodine treatment . so just the two options and to be honest I was too shocked to ask questions and was not given any leaflets or anything to read either so am asking the good folk on here what they think.

[Cloverjo]

My granny had an operation for an overactive thyroid. The surgeon took too much away and she was on pills for the rest of her life to correct her then under-active thyroid. That was quite a while ago, though.

I think it’s best to ask the doctor what they’d do if it was their sister, partner or parent in your situation.

[Tilly2]

I would choose pills over an operation. If the pills work, that's fine. Why have an operation if it is not absolutely necessary?

[Buenchico]

You need to check up on what type of operation you're being offered.

My link suggests that full removal of the thyroid, rather than just reducing it, is the preferred option in many cases. If that's what you're being offered, you'll still have to take medication for the rest of your life anyway.

[douglas9401]

I wouldn't dare venture an opinion on the choice before you, Biccylova but sympathise with your situation.

The longer I live the more I'm inclined to think that doctors don't know half as much as we might think or hope they do.

I've been lucky so far, some friends not so much.

Hope it all works out for you whatever you decide, good luck.

[Sqad]

There is no right choice, it is your decision and both methods may be problematic.

I presume that you either have a toxic nodule or an enlarged overactive thyroid.

I would rule out radioactive iodine as the effect wears off after a time.

Drugs may have side effects and there are complications of operation.

You are asking, what I would choose.....and it would be "pills" (drug therapy)...a personal decision and one that i would choice for my wife.

[Sqad]

P.S the operation would be a partial (subtotal) thyroidectomy, not a total thyroidectomy.

[Peter Pedant]

yeah I would try pills first
and see if they control things

are you sure the doctor has said - doesnt matter - you choose ?

the most famous thyroid surgeon in the world was Cecil Joll ( JOlls thyroid forceps blah blah blah ) and he did and wrote up 6000. I think he used to cram in 10 on a list. After a persistent cough, he looked at his CXR and commented - I hope the angels are pretty. ( Ca lung) - but he did like the girls - died 1948
My mother was his houseman - no I dont look like him

and I thought .... ALL his patients ended up on thyroid replacement therapy - but I am not a thyroid surgeon - Sqd is

[Sqad]

PP

"I hope the angels are pretty. ( Ca lung) - but he did like the girls - died 1948 "

He died in 1948.

I was taught thyroid surgery by Sam Richardson who also "liked the girls" and always had a female as his house surgeon.
It seems that ALL thyroid surgeons are a bit of philanderers. ;-)

[Biccylova]

Thanks every one, I will bear in mind everything you'v said.

[puzzled54]

Why don’t you put your name down for the op and take the pills in the meantime. If the pills work then cancel the op, but it probably won’t get scheduled for ages which would give you time to decide

[Sqad]

Good point....^^^^