TSH levels after thyroidectomy

Removal of the thyroid gland is a rather serious operation, which has a significant impact on the level of hormones in a person, and therefore on the state of his body as a whole. After the operation, the level of its hormones may change, so a doctor's supervision is necessary to exclude the appearance of adverse symptoms.

In what cases is the operation performed

The thyroid gland is one of the main organs of the endocrine system, which is responsible for the production of hormones that provide metabolism in the body. In the case of various disorders, the level of its hormones may change, but only a serious violation of the organ's functioning can be an indication for removal.

The removal operation is carried out according to the following indications:

• malignant neoplasm of the thyroid gland;
• the continued growth of diffuse toxic goiter despite ongoing drug treatment;
• the formation of multiple nodes, such nodes can affect the normal functioning of the organ and the hormonal background;
• the presence of growing follicular tumors, the goodness of which cannot be confirmed;
• an increase in goiter with a risk of suffocation.

What happens to the body after surgery

After the operation, the patient must undergo a regular test, during which the state of his hormonal levels will be assessed. This examination is carried out every two months. Over time, the frequency of examinations is reduced to 2 times a year, and in a normal state, they can be transferred to an annual examination.

Since part of the organ or the entire gland is removed during the operation, its functioning and participation in the endocrine system of the body changes. Therefore, against the background of the operation, the content of thyroid hormones in the body also changes.

TSH is not actually a thyroid hormone, it is produced by the pituitary gland. But TSH has a direct effect on the production of T3 and T4, which are actually thyroid hormones.

Due to removal, it ceases to secrete its hormones, but the pituitary gland continues to function, the level of TSH after the removal of the thyroid gland changes, and this can affect the body in different ways. In the first months after surgery, there is a risk of thyroid coma. Its first symptoms that a person himself can detect are:

• decrease in body temperature;
• lethargy and drowsiness;
• cold sweat;
• memory loss.

To prevent the occurrence of this condition, replacement therapy is prescribed.

TSH levels after surgery

In a healthy person, the content of TSH ranges from 0.26-3.99 mU / ml. Since the hormonal background changes after the operation, the patient takes synthetic analogues of thyroid hormones to maintain a normal state.

Since the drugs are prescribed in a strict dosage, a balance is established in the body, so the pituitary gland also begins to produce TSH in a strictly defined amount. Therefore, the TSH rate after removal of the thyroid gland is usually close to normal and is 0.3-4.0 mU / ml.

For patients undergoing surgery due to a malignant tumor, the norm is usually lower - 0.05-0.1 mU / ml. This is due to the fact that in such patients it is necessary to maintain a low level of TSH, since this hormone can provoke the emergence of new malignant neoplasms.

What does an increase or decrease in its level indicate?

If at the next observation it is revealed that after the removal of the thyroid gland TSH is elevated , then this may indicate that the patient is not taking the prescribed drugs. Due to the withdrawal of replacement therapy, the pituitary gland begins to produce more TSH hormone.

Against the background of such an increase in the content of TSH, signs of hypothyroidism will appear:

• constant chilliness;
• apathy, weakness, fatigue and drowsiness;
• dry skin, hair and nails;
• puffiness;
• weight gain, which does not decrease even with diets;
• women may experience irregular menstruation.

To restore the normal level of TSH, it is enough to resume taking the drugs.

A decrease in the level of TSH may indicate an excess of the necessary norms for taking drugs. Since changes in the hormonal system occur gradually, if such a problem is detected at the next appointment, the doctor may prescribe an additional examination and adjust the dosage.

Also, a decrease in TSH levels is observed in pregnant patients. The placenta produces its own hormone, which is called upon to ensure the preservation of pregnancy - human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). This hormone can also lower TSH levels, as its function is similar to that of the thyroid gland.

The operation to remove the thyroid gland significantly affects the body, since this organ plays an important role in the formation of hormonal levels. After removal, the production of hormones stops, which means that the content of the hormones associated with them in the body will change greatly. TSH associated with thyroid hormones in the absence of replacement therapy can rise critically, which can cause coma.

Therefore, after the operation, it is imperative to take synthetic analogues of thyroid hormones and regularly check the content of TSH.