Your thyroid is the small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck.
It is part of your excretory system and it produces hormones that regulate your body’s metabolic rate. It also has a role to play in regulating muscle control, your mood, as well as some heart and digestive functions.
Types of Thyroid Disease
There are different types of thyroid disease but the most common ones are:
- Thyroid nodules
These fluid-filled lumps within the thyroid could be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). - Hypothyroidism
A condition that occurs when the thyroid doesn’t produce enough hormones. - Hyperthyroidism
A condition that occurs when there is an overproduction of hormones by the thyroid gland. - Goiter
This refers to an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. - Thyroid cancer
It’s a rare type of cancer that develops within the thyroid gland.
How Thyroid Disease Can Affect You
When your thyroid gland is compromised, some of the vital functions of the body are affected.
Depending on the type of thyroid disease you have, you may experience problems in several areas, including your mood, sleep, appetite, heart rate, and metabolism.
When Thyroid Surgery Is Needed
Your doctor may recommend surgery in the following situations:
- You have a nodule that may be cancerous
- Your nodule or goiter is causing local symptoms
- Your nodule or goiter is causing symptoms as a result of overproduction of thyroid hormones
- You’re diagnosed with thyroid cancer
Premier Surgical Associates Wants You to Know What To Expect in a Thyroid Surgery
Thyroid surgery is usually done in a hospital, under general anesthesia so you won’t be conscious all throughout the procedure. You may be advised to not eat or drink anything after midnight before surgery (your doctor will provide you with specific instructions).
Once you’re unconscious, your surgeon will make an incision low in the center of your neck. Depending on your case and the type of thyroid disease you have, the surgeon may remove part or the whole of your thyroid gland. If this surgery is done as a result of thyroid cancer, your surgeon may assess and also remove some lymph nodes around your gland.
The procedure is usually completed within 1 to 2 hours.
After Surgery
After thyroidectomy, you may experience hoarseness of voice and some throat discomfort. This is usually temporary and can be easily alleviated with over-the-counter medications.
While you can resume your regular activities a day after surgery, you may have to wait for 10 days or until your doctor gives you permission to do more strenuous activities like intense workouts.
The board-certified surgeons of Premier Surgical Associates of Knoxville and Cleveland, TN, are experienced in performing thyroid procedures.
If you have more questions about thyroidectomy, you request an appointment online with one of the surgeons at Premier Surgical of Knoxville and Cleveland, TN, at https://www.premiersurgical.com/request-appointment/ or call (865) 306-5775 to reach one of our offices.
References:
https://www.medicinenet.com/thyroid_disease_symptoms_and_signs/article.htm
https://www.thyroid.org/thyroid-surgery/