- With Mayo Clinic endocrinologist
Todd B. Nippoldt, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Todd B. Nippoldt, M.D.
Todd B. Nippoldt, M.D.
Dr. Todd Nippoldt is a board-certified specialist in internal medicine and endocrinology and metabolism. He has special expertise in the area of hormone disorders affecting the pituitary and adrenal glands as well as the testes and ovaries. He has been a member of the Mayo Clinic staff since 1988.
Dr. Nippoldt is a consultant in the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Nutrition and works with patients who have disorders of the hormone-producing glands. Common disorders include diabetes, thyroid problems, osteoporosis and elevated cholesterol levels.
He also is involved in andrology, the study of male hormonal disorders, male infertility and sexual dysfunction and is an assistant professor of medicine at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine.
Dr. Nippoldt, a St. Paul, Minn., native, has also contributed to "Mayo Clinic Health Letter," a Mayo Clinic CD-ROM and the "Mayo Clinic Family Health Book." He is a fellow in the American College of Physicians and a member of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, the American Society of Andrology, The Endocrine Society, The Pituitary Society and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists.
"I have found that those patients who have gone to the Internet and obtained accurate medical information come to their appointment with me very well informed, and the discussions regarding the evaluation and management of their condition are very productive and satisfying," he says.
"The key, however, is obtaining accurate medical information. As a medical editor for MayoClinic.com, I hope to be able to ensure that accurate, relevant and up-to-date information is available for patients and their families."
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Question
Thyroidectomy: What to expect after surgery
What happens to your body when your thyroid is removed (thyroidectomy)? Can you lead a normal life without your thyroid?
Answer
from Todd B. Nippoldt, M.D.
Yes, you can live a normal life after your thyroid is removed (thyroidectomy). Once you recover from the thyroid surgery itself, you can usually return to your regular activities — often within a few weeks.
Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck, just below your Adam's apple. The thyroid produces hormones that regulate every aspect of your metabolism, from your heart rate to how quickly you burn calories. A thyroidectomy may be recommended for conditions such as:
- Thyroid cancer
- Noncancerous enlargement of the thyroid (goiter)
- Certain cases of hyperthyroidism
A thyroidectomy is performed under general anesthesia and usually takes several hours. A small incision is made in the front of the neck, and all or part of the thyroid gland is removed, depending on the reason for the surgery. After a thyroidectomy, you may experience temporary neck pain and a hoarse or weak voice. But the long-term effects depend on how much of the thyroid is removed.
If only part of your thyroid is removed, the remaining part typically takes over the function of the entire thyroid gland, and you don't need thyroid hormone therapy.
If your whole thyroid is removed (total thyroidectomy), your body can't make thyroid hormone and you will develop signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism. As a result, you will need daily treatment with thyroid hormone. This hormone is identical to that normally made by your thyroid gland and performs all of the same functions. The amount of thyroid hormone replacement you need is determined by blood tests.
Thyroidectomy is generally a safe procedure. But as with any surgery, thyroidectomy carries a risk of complications. Potential complications include:
- Bleeding and airway obstruction
- Permanent hoarse or weak voice
- Hypoparathyroidism
- Abnormally low levels of calcium in your blood (hypocalcemia)
