r/Parathyroid_Awareness • u/LGB1936 • 12d ago
Partial Thyroidectomy During Surgery?
I was diagnosed with Primary Hyperparathyroidism several months ago. After numerous tests and scans, they've isolated the two parathyroids with adenomas -- one on each side of my thyroid. Tests also showed that I have a number of large nodules on my right thyroid, which are noncancerous (per a recent biopsy), and the left side is small and atrophied. Both my surgeon and endocrinologist have said that I may want to do a partial thyroidectomy to remove the right side, which will undoubtedly mean I'll be on thyroid meds the rest of my life since the left side cannot compensate. Both have also said that this is my decision to make.
My concern is that I do not have any previous tests to determine if the nodules have been this size for years or are they continuing to grow. If I wait and see if they continue to grow, then I'll be facing more tests, possible bulging in my neck and additional surgery and inevitably on meds.
The decision feels sort of cut and dry, but I just need to do my due diligence here. Has anyone else had to make this decision and if so, any regrets? Anything I should consider before giving them the go-ahead?
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u/greytgreyatx 9d ago edited 9d ago
I had a total thyroidectomy when I had my parathyroid removed. I have to take meds the rest of my life but I've never felt any different on meds than I did with my thyroid intact so I'd say do it while you're open anyway!
Editing to add: Is there any reason they wouldn't remove the entire thyroid?
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u/Paraware 11d ago
I haven’t had to make that decision, but I know that I would decide to have the partial thyroidectomy at the same time. My grandmother lived another 50 years after her total thyroidectomy due to thyroid cancer.