Partial thyroid removal

Hi  and a very warm welcome to the online community

I'm sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis and it's normal to want to understand what is and isn't the normal procedure for follow-ups.

As I had a different type of cancer I can't help with what is normal for thyroid cancer but by replying to you it will 'bump' your post back to the top of the page where someone with the right experience will hopefully see it and reply.

When you have a minute it would be really useful if could pop something about your journey so far into your profile as it helps others when answering or looking for someone with a similar diagnosis. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Edit Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.

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Hello

Once upon a time, not so long ago, any diagnosis of thyroid cancer, regardless of how small, would get you a return trip to the hospital to remove the other half and then a dose of radioactive iodine. These days, the hospitals are tending to be a lot more reluctant to intervene and do further surgery if the removed cancer is small, completely 'encapsulated' and considered very low risk.

In your shoes, I think I'd be demanding a bit more than you've been offered. You can get thyroid function tests done at your local GP if the hospital don't offer them. You may find that living with only half a thyroid is absolutely fine (my sister had half of hers out 8 years ago and doesn't take tablets) or that you find your energy levels are not up to normal and you need some supplementation. 

As your 6 month check-up - if there's really no other contact before then - do push for info on why the team are taking such a 'hands-off' approach. It may be that they can show you the reasons and you might be very reassured by those.