Thyroid Surgery

Thyroid Surgery in Los Angeles, CA

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck that produce hormones to regulate your body’s processes. Common thyroid disorders may range from imbalance of hormones to life-threatening cancer.

Is thyroid surgery necessary with hypothyroidism

With hypothyroidism, a drop in the production of hormones, you may experience symptoms of brain fog, thinning hair, muscle ache or weakness as well as low energy levels. A blood test can confirm if you have hypothyroidism. While there is no way to prevent hypothyroidism, women during pregnancy are at higher risk. Other causes include: Hashimotos’s thyroiditis which is a autoimmune disorder, exposure to excessive amounts of iodide or even using Lithium.

Treatment usually focuses on supplementing the thyroid hormone. Some of the prescriptions involve synthetic thyroxine and the patient is regularly monitored with the dosage. For some with goiter, maintaining iodine and nutrition is essential. Diet helps to affect the way the body absorbs thyroid medication. However, some patients experience sensitivity to the effects of iodine. They should discuss any changes with a qualified healthcare practitioner. With appropriate treatment, a patient’s thyroid hormone levels should return to normal.

What is Hyperthyroidism

When too much hormones are produced by the thyroid, this is call hyperthyroidism. This occurs in Graves’ disease, toxic adenomas, subacute thryoiditis and in rare cases, cancerous growths or pituitary gland malfunctions.

Thyroidectomy

Thyroidectomy is used to treat certain thyroid disorders, such as thyroid cancer, goiter or hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). It is considered a safe procedure. Based on the reason for the surgery, your physician can determine how much of the gland is removed.

Postoperative Care After Thyroidectomy

  1. Swallowing and diet: You may feel some discomfort with swallowing for several weeks after surgery which usually resolves with time. Eat soft foods in the beginning then progress to a normal diet.
  2. Pain medication: Moderate pain and discomfort is expected for the first postoperative week. You will be given Tylenol with codeine as a pain medication.
  3. Thyroid medication: If a total thyroidectomy has been performed (your entire thyroid was removed) then you will be placed on thyroid replacement medication. We will determine if this is the correct level by checking your TSH level (blood test) at six-week intervals.
  4. Calcium medication: Frequently the calcium level can drop after a total thyroidectomy. Calcium replacement with Calcium Carbonate pills (tums) or Calcium Carbonate with vitamin D (OsCal) is recommended at about 6 pill per day. You do not require a prescription for this medication. You may be given Rocaltrol which is a strong vitamin D preparation.
  5. Radioactive Iodine: If you have the diagnosis of thyroid cancer, you will sometimes be given an appointment with a Radiation Oncologist who will administer I131 which is a radioactive iodine that eliminates any microscopic thyroid cancer cells that may be in the body. Not all people are given radioactive iodine, and this is decided on a case by case basis.
  6. Wound care: Your suture will be removed eight days after surgery. Make an appointment in my office for the following week after surgery. For several weeks there may be some redness to the wound and some swelling at the top half of the neck. This is normal and will usually resolve. You can replace your dressing if you feel more comfortable with it covered. Otherwise it is perfectly acceptable to leave the steri-strip covering open to air.
  7. Activity: You may resume your normal activity about 4-5 days after surgery. Normal bathing can be resumed 2 days after surgery. As you feel comfortable, you can resume you normal routine. The key determinant is listening to your own body and not going beyond your limits.

Contact our office

To find out more about thyroid surgery or treatments, visit L.A. Sinus & Allergy Specialists offices located at 1701 E Cesar Chavez Ave Suite 560, Los Angeles, CA 90033-2425, or book an appointment by calling (323) 226-0022 today.

Office Location

1701 E Cesar E Chavez Ave Suite 560 Los Angeles, CA, 90033

Hours Of Operation

Monday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Friday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed