Riversinger knows a great deal about this topic -- suggest you post with her name in your subject line, same questions.

Thyroid problems are horrid -- so sorry you have to go through this. The sx of thyroid problems can be very similar to LD.

See http://www.thyroid.ca/Articles/EngE10F.html

Yes, Nancy, many of the symptoms of Lyme disease are also symptoms of thyroid disease. You can have one, or both at the same time. If you have both, you have to treat both to get better.

Why are they removing your thyroid? Are they removing the entire thing?

On the thyroid boards, the most knowledgeable people say that it can take time to get full recovery. You can get improvements for as long as two years AFTER you get onto the proper dose of thyroid replacement, which in itself can take time.

I highly recommend you check out the website and forums of http://thyroid.about.com . I've learned a tremendous amount there, and read some inspiring stories of improvements possible. I haven't had thyroid surgery myself, so only know a little about it, but you'll find many there with good info.

Just be sure to also treat the Lyme. There is some suspician that thyroid issues can be due to infection. I don't know if that is what has caused mine, as Hashimoto's runs in my family, but it is clear to me I have to take care of both.

The good news is that as I get enough thyroid hormone, I think my body has more strength to fight the bacteria.