Laziness, weight gain, insomnia post thyroid surgery normal?

Question

Hello doctor,

I had both my thyroid glands removed eight years ago, and a small amount was left (in the size of half of my small nail). Since then, I am getting my blood test done every year, which comes back normal. I do not understand this as everybody needs two thyroid glands to work properly, and a small amount of the gland is not enough to do the job. I suffer from tiredness, weight gain, and insomnia over these years.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

It is not the size of the thyroid gland, but it is the function that matters. In most of the thyroid gland removal, the left over gland will start hyper functioning and hence will take over the body function. So, if your blood work is normal means that a small part of the thyroid is working well. Now coming to your problem, it might be due to either calcium or vitamin D deficiency which can happen because of your thyroid removal. I advise you to get serum D3 and calcium levels tested. Revert back with reports. Weight gain could be due to physical inactivity, excess of cholesterol or even diabetes or adrenal problems.

I advise you to get the following tests done;

1. Serum lipid profile.

2. Serum cortisol.

3. FBS (fasting blood sugar), and PPBS (postprandial blood sugar).