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How Important Is Intake Of Thyroid Hormone Replacement After Removing Thyroid?

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Posted on Tue, 24 Mar 2015
Question: Hi, Re: Graves disease, niece just Had thriod taken out, will this affect her future very much?
I hear from my brother the meds are 300 per month. And she will die if she doesn't get her pills.
Could this be thue? Or are we dealing with a pill addict? Operation was 1 and1/2 years ago.
Please help, thanks XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Kathy Robinson (48 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
she will need thyroid hormone replacements

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question.
It is true that she will need to take thyroid hormone replacement for the rest of her life but it is available in generic forms and should be very inexpensive. Doctors can monitor her thyroid hormone levels and keep her in the normal range. If this is done it will not affect her future at all. If she does not get the appropriate thyroid hormone replacement then it can cause weight gain, slowed thinking, fatigue, depression and other problems.
Make sure she is having her thyroid hormone levels checked and that they are in normal range, that is all that is needed.
Good day to you,
Dr. Robinson
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Kathy Robinson (14 minutes later)
So then 300 a month would not be correct. She must be on some kind of narcotics.
He says she gets feverish and gets the shakes when she runs out.
I enable him and he enables. He won't listen to reason. I think. Am I wrong
doctor
Answered by Dr. Kathy Robinson (3 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
you are not wrong

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your follow up
The cost for levothyroxine (thyroid hormone replacement) should be between 10 and 30 dollars a month depending upon the strength of the tablet. When you run out you do not have any immediate symptoms. Slowly over months as your thyroid level gets low you get tired and have the other symptoms.
You do not get feverish and shakes from running out of thyroid hormone
Dr. Robinson
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
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Answered by
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Dr. Kathy Robinson

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1989

Answered : 3535 Questions

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How Important Is Intake Of Thyroid Hormone Replacement After Removing Thyroid?

Brief Answer: she will need thyroid hormone replacements Detailed Answer: Hello and thank you for your question. It is true that she will need to take thyroid hormone replacement for the rest of her life but it is available in generic forms and should be very inexpensive. Doctors can monitor her thyroid hormone levels and keep her in the normal range. If this is done it will not affect her future at all. If she does not get the appropriate thyroid hormone replacement then it can cause weight gain, slowed thinking, fatigue, depression and other problems. Make sure she is having her thyroid hormone levels checked and that they are in normal range, that is all that is needed. Good day to you, Dr. Robinson