Big sister, who was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and became obese after surgery, is a therapist.

I will share the story of my older sister, who was diagnosed with early-stage thyroid cancer during a health checkup, underwent surgery, and then struggled with obesity.

About 18 years ago, I think the national health checkup for those over 40 was just a formality. That's what I was thinking around that time.

A re-examination due to abnormal thyroid findings resulted in a diagnosis of thyroid cancer at the Nuclear Medicine Hospital.

It was pitch dark ahead.

I had a re-examination with a CT scan and a biopsy at Seoul Yonsei Severance Hospital, but I received the same diagnosis.

We scheduled the surgery date immediately and proceeded with the operation.

 

What is thyroid cancer?

A lump in the thyroid is called a thyroid nodule.

5 to 10% of nodules are diagnosed as thyroid cancer, and my older sister was diagnosed with thyroid cancer because of that.

Thyroid nodules can be benign or malignant, with malignant being thyroid cancer.

After being diagnosed with thyroid cancer, I had to undergo emergency surgery because, unlike benign nodules, malignant thyroid nodules can grow larger, invade surrounding tissues, or spread to lymph nodes.

Over 95% of thyroid cancers are papillary carcinomas, and your sister also falls into this category.

The remaining 5% includes cancers such as follicular carcinoma, poorly differentiated carcinoma, undifferentiated carcinoma, and medullary carcinoma.

 

✅[What is Paget's disease of the nipple?]

The most common type of thyroid cancer, accounting for over 97% of recent thyroid cancer cases in our country.

It is said to occur more frequently in countries with high iodine intake...

Thyroid gland cancer is often said to have no direct relation to thyroid function, such as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.

✅[Complete removal and treatment of nodules after general anesthesia]

After general anesthesia at Yonsei Severance Endocrinology Department

I had surgery to remove the entire thyroid gland.

After removing the tumor, the patient was hospitalized for about 5 days and then discharged. Treatment with radioactive iodine was administered to eliminate residual cancer cells that could cause recurrence and to prevent metastasis.

 

Note that there are no restrictions on diet after surgery, but if you undergo radioactive iodine therapy after surgery, you should limit iodine-containing foods.

✅ <Thyroid Cancer Iodine-Restricted Diet>

The protruding scar from the transverse surgical incision on the neck was minimized by removing the scar with laser treatment.

Also, my sister is good at singing and has a high pitch, but after the surgery, her voice became slightly lower.

And because I easily felt tired and didn't move much, I gained a lot of weight.

Since muscle strength easily decreases after surgery and considering age, I consistently do swimming that does not strain the joints.

Since the entire thyroid gland was removed due to thyroid cancer, the patient cannot produce thyroid hormones on their own after surgery and must take hormone medication for life.

 

The importance of treating obesity after thyroid cancer resection for hypothyroidism surgery is required.

Fatigue, weight gain, tension, dry skin, constipation, tendency to feel cold, memory decline, changes in fingernails, but my sister has gained a lot of weight and is taking probiotics due to constipation.

🔵Hyperthyroidism excessive energy anxiety tremors weight loss increased heart rate polyuria multiple constipation periorbital swelling

 

✅ Post-Thyroid Cancer Surgery Immune Management Diet

I looked up foods that are good for the thyroid gland, please refer to them.

Hormone Gland - Good Food

For the thyroid to function properly, iodine is necessary; a deficiency increases the risk of developing thyroid cancer.

 

Seaweed - Sea mustard, kelp, and laver are high in iodine.

Therefore, excessive intake can further worsen hypothyroidism patients, making it even more important for my older sister.

 

Iodine is also abundant in crustaceans such as shrimp, crabs, and lobsters.

Eating 85g of shrimp covers 20% of the daily recommended amount.

It is also rich in zinc, which helps activate hormones.

 

Blackberries and berry fruits (raspberries, cranberries, blackberries) are foods rich in antioxidants.

 

Brazil nuts, pumpkin seeds, almonds, and other nuts are rich in magnesium, especially Brazil nuts, which are also abundant in selenium, an antioxidant, helping to boost thyroid function.

 

Spinach, lettuce, chard, and other leafy vegetables are rich in magnesium, which is necessary for the normal secretion of thyroid hormones.