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?

- Amy / Arkansas

Answer

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Thyroid gland

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)

MORE ON THIS TOPIC

• Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
• Thyroid cancer