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:
-
You have
Graves disease
and cannot tolerate
anti-thyroid medications
or are not a good candidate for treatment with
radioactive iodine.
- You have a very large thyroid gland that interferes with breathing or swallowing.
- You have a child with hyperthyroidism.
- You are pregnant and have hyperthyroidism. (Although anti-thyroid medication is considered the first-line treatment for pregnant women.)
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:
- Hoarseness from vocal cord paralysis
- Bleeding
- Infected wound site
- Temporary low serum calcium
If you are considering surgery, be sure to choose an experienced surgeon.
Thyroidectomy
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:
- Total or near-total thyroidectomy—all of the thyroid is removed
- Thyroid lobectomy or partial thyroidectomy—removal of only a part of the thyroid (the right or left lobe and/or center)
After a thyroidectomy, you may need to take daily thyroid, calcium, or vitamin D supplements.
Last reviewed November 2018 by
EBSCO Medical Review Board
James Cornell, MD
Last Updated: 12/20/2014
