What is Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery?

Every day, your endocrine system releases hormones throughout your body. When your endocrine system is in working order, these hormones help regulate your metabolism, temperature, calcium production and various other functions. However, when one of the endocrine glands is not working properly, you may need surgery.

What is the Thyroid?

The thyroid gland is one of the largest endocrine glands in the body. The thyroid gland controls a variety of things, including how quickly the body uses energy, makes proteins, and also controls how sensitive the body is to other hormones. The thyroid and parathyroid glands play an active role in your overall health, so any disorders or abnormalities in these glands may be harmful.

Where is the Thyroid?

I’m often asked “Where is the thyroid?” The thyroid is actually found in the neck below the thyroid cartilage, which forms the “Adam’s apple”.

Below we will discuss some of these complications and how surgery can correct them.

Why Would I Need Thyroid Surgery?

• To remove a large nodule (abnormal growth) from the thyroid gland
• To treat an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) after medication and radioactive iodine have failed
• To treat thyroid cancer

Why Would I Need Parathyroid Surgery?

• To remove an enlarged parathyroid gland that is creating too much parathyroid hormone
• If your enlarged parathyroid gland causes kidney stones, osteoporosis or other health issues
• If all four of your parathyroid glands have abnormalities

How Do Thyroid Surgeries Work?

• Both types of surgery are performed under general anesthesia.
• The surgeon will make a small incision in the neck, right above the collarbone.
• For thyroid surgery, depending on the patient’s condition, either all or part of the thyroid gland will be removed.
• For thyroid surgery, depending on the patient’s condition, either all or part of the thyroid gland will be removed.

What are the Risk Factors for Thyroid Surgery?

These operations are very safe in experienced hands and complications are rare. Some complications that may occur include:

• Patients may experience a change in voice and bleeding after surgery.
• Some patients who have thyroid surgery may now experience an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), and will need to treat it with medication.
• Some patients who have parathyroid surgery may now experience an underactive parathyroid (hypoparathyroidism).

Thyroid Recovery Expectations

• Most patients are discharged within a few hours of the surgery.
• Patients experience mild to moderate pain in the neck and throat, for which pain medications will be prescribed. Most people are off pain medication by the second post-op day.
• Patients may shower after surgery. Most often no stitches need to be removed.
• Patients will return to the office in the days following the surgery for additional examination and treatment.

 If you are experiencing any problems with your thyroid, schedule a consultation with one of our specialists by calling 407-644-4883 or click here to schedule your appointment request.