The thyroid is an essential gland that produces hormones that affect the whole body. It allows in particular the regulation of body temperature, mood, the nervous system, and an increase or decrease in heart rate. Today we can live without thyroid, but not without thyroid hormones. In case of withdrawal, it is therefore vital to take treatment to replace this gland. But finding the right dosage is not easy.
Married for 20 years and mother of a child, Catherine Ferreira has been fighting against her thyroid problems for more than 10 years. Despite her perseverance, she still cannot find a balance in her substitution treatment. A former flight attendant and recently studying psychoanalysis, this hormonal imbalance is a real problem for her professional life. Mood disorders, depression, heightened emotions, those around him are also strongly impacted. She agreed to tell us her story.
10 years without thyroid: “I still haven’t found the right dosage”
How did you detect the first signs?
I discovered the first signs ten years ago during a medical visit to Air France. The doctor noticed swelling in my throat. Then I did many tests and four nodules were detected in my thyroid, one of which was almost four centimeters.
Thyroid nodules are very common. These tumors form in the thyroid gland and are usually benign. But to avoid possible thyroid cancer, the doctors decided to remove it completely.
What was your treatment journey?
My operation went very well. Personally, I did not particularly suffer. You should know that when the thyroid is completely removed, the body no longer receives thyroid hormones, vital for the metabolism. So I had to start substitution treatment.
That’s when I started going through hell. The treatment takes a long time to stabilize. To live a normal life, it is essential to find the right dosage to replace the lack of thyroid hormones.
For me, it was very difficult and very long. Ten years later, I’m still not balanced.
First of all, I couldn’t take the first medication I was prescribed when I left the hospital. Named Levothyrox, it is undoubtedly the most indicated treatment for these problems. But it caused me discomfort as well as great muscle pain. Thousands of people have also claimed to have experienced side effects related to this drug. Following this, I switched to L-Thyroxine drops.
But it’s a real obstacle course. Even today, I sometimes have to add a drop or subtract a drop to find the perfect balance. Finding the right dosage can therefore take days, weeks, months or years.
Daily symptoms
What are the symptoms you are experiencing?
It’s very complicated to live with a removed thyroid. If the dosage is not balanced, you can quickly find yourself in hypothyroidism (secretion of fewer hormones) or hyperthyroidism (secretion of too many hormones). Many external factors (stress, emotional shock, etc.) can also affect balance.
Personally, fatigue is my main symptom. I am constantly tired, I have hot flashes or I am cold all day long and I also have a lot of trouble sleeping. This imbalance sometimes causes me mood swings, dizziness and palpitations.
We may not realize it, but thyroid problems can be daunting and discouraging on a daily basis.
What were the psychological and physical repercussions?
I had a lot of depressed moments. When you can’t balance yourself and you feel these symptoms on a daily basis, you wonder if you’re going to get out of it and get back to normal.
I also have energy problems because I have a lot less than before. It is the most disabling symptom for professional life and social life. There are days when I can’t even get out of bed.
TO KNOW
In France, about 46,000 people have thyroid surgery each year. Indeed, 40% of adults can develop nodules, especially women.