by Editorial Staff and Contributors
Thyroidectomy is the surgical treatment of hyperthyroidism. Though popular in the past, it is not done often anymore. The following are situations in which surgical treatment may be appropriate to consider:
Surgery is a permanent cure for hyperthyroidism in almost all cases. But, surgery may result in hypothyroidism, a condition that requires ongoing medical treatment and medicine. Uncommon complications of surgery include:
If you are considering surgery, be sure to choose an experienced surgeon.
Thyroidectomy is the surgical removal of all or part of the thyroid gland. This gland is in the neck. It produces hormones that regulate metabolism. The surgery may be a:
After a thyroidectomy, you may need to take daily thyroid, calcium, or vitamin D supplements.
Hyperthyroidism (thyrotoxicosis). Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at:
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Updated July 2016. Accessed November 28, 2017.
Hyperthyroidism and thyrotoxicosis. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T116479/Hyperthyroidism-and-thyrotoxicosis . Updated July 27, 2017. Accessed November 28, 2017.
Palit TK, Miller CC, Miltenburg DM. The efficacy of thyoridectomy for Graves disease. A meta-analysis. J Surg Res. 2000;90(2):161-165.
6/10/2014 DynaMed Plus Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T900418/Thyroid-surgery-considerations : Alhefdhi A, Mazeh H, Chen H. Role of postoperative vitamin D and/or calcium routine supplementation in preventing hypocalcemia after thyroidectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Oncologist. 2013;18(5):553-542.
Last reviewed November 2018 by
EBSCO Medical Review Board
James Cornell, MD
Last Updated: 12/20/2014