Thyroidectomy is the surgical procedure of removing all or part of the thyroid gland in the neck. Parathyroidectomy, on the other hand, is the surgical operation of removing the diseased parathyroid glands that regulate calcium balance.
✓What is Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery?
Thyroid and parathyroid surgery encompasses the surgical treatment of diseases and tumors that develop in the thyroid and parathyroid glands. The thyroid gland, located at the front of the neck, produces hormones that regulate metabolism rate, while the parathyroid glands maintain the balance of calcium and phosphorus in the body. Disturbances in these glands can lead to hormone imbalances and various health problems. Thyroid and parathyroid surgery is a medical field that requires extreme care and expertise due to the close anatomical relationships of these delicate glands.
✓Total Thyroidectomy
This is the removal of the entire thyroid gland. It is generally performed in cases of thyroid cancer, large goiter, or hyperthyroidism that cannot be treated with medication.
✓Lobectomy (Hemi-Thyroidectomy)
This is the removal of only one lobe of the thyroid gland. It may be preferred for nodules, cysts, or small-scale thyroid cancer.
✓Thyroid Nodule Excision
This is the removal of only one lobe of the thyroid gland. It may be preferred for nodules, cysts, or small-scale thyroid cancer.
✓Minimally Invasive Parathyroidectomy or Thyroidectomy
It is performed through a small incision and only the problematic gland is removed.
✓Total Parathyroidectomy
This is the removal of all parathyroid glands. It is generally performed in cases of hyperparathyroidism where all glands are abnormal.
✓Subtotal Parathyroidectomy
This is the removal of three and a half of the four parathyroid glands. This preserves some parathyroid function.
✓What is the Thyroid?
The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped endocrine gland located at the front of the neck, just below the Adam's apple, resembling the letter U or H, and controls how the body uses energy. The thyroid gland, which is part of the endocrine system, is responsible for the production of thyroxine and triiodothyronine hormones.
✓The main role of the thyroid gland is to control the rate of metabolism, which is the process of converting food consumed by the body into energy. Along with the T3 and T4 hormones it produces, it helps regulate your metabolism. Along with these hormones, the pituitary gland is also responsible for telling the thyroid how much of these hormones the body needs.
✓In addition to metabolism, the thyroid contributes to the proper functioning of many functions, from how the heart beats to weight gain, from cholesterol levels to the menstrual cycle. When the thyroid is disrupted and experiences problems, it causes various thyroid diseases.
✓The main thyroid diseases include hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, goiter, and thyroid cancer. Hyperthyroidism is a condition where the thyroid is overworking, while hypothyroidism refers to a condition where the thyroid gland is working less than it should. For example, another disease, thyroiditis, is inflammation of the thyroid gland.
✓Body functions affected by thyroid hormones
How the body uses energy (metabolism)
✓Heart rate
✓Breathing
✓Digestion process
✓Body temperature
✓Brain development and mental activity
✓Skin and bone health
✓Fertility
✓Other organs and glands that interact with the thyroid gland
The endocrine system is a complex network system made up of glands and hormones. Many glands and hormones need signals from other glands and hormones to begin working. Additionally, certain hormones can suppress other hormones. The body has a complex system to control the level of thyroid hormones.
✓First, the hypothalamus (a part located on the lower surface of the brain) secretes thyroid-releasing hormone (TRH), which stimulates a part of the pituitary gland to secrete thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). After this stimulation process, the TSH hormone stimulates thyroid follicular cells to secrete thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) if there is sufficient iodine level in the body.
✓The thyroid gland and hormones affect almost every organ system in the body. This effect can be explained as follows:
✓Cardiovascular system: The thyroid gland helps regulate the amount of blood your heart pumps through the circulatory system (cardiac output), heart rate, the heart's contraction ability and strength. In light of this information, the importance of the thyroid gland for heart health cannot be denied.
✓Nervous system: When the thyroid gland does not function properly, symptoms affecting the nervous system such as numbness, tingling, pain, or burning sensation may appear in the affected areas of the body. These problems can also be seen in hypothyroid or hyperthyroid conditions. Additionally, hypothyroidism can also cause depression and anxiety.
✓Digestive system: One of the thyroid gland's functions is related to how nutrients move through the digestive system. When the thyroid gland is functioning healthily, the digestive process also works properly.
✓Reproductive system: In scenarios where the thyroid is not functioning properly, irregular menstrual periods may occur, especially in women, and fertility problems may be seen.
✓What are Thyroid Symptoms?
Voice changes
✓Weight gain
✓Formation of lumps or swelling in the neck
✓Palpitations
✓Changes in body temperature (chills, sweating)
✓Feeling tired and weak
✓Feeling depressed, experiencing anxiety and restlessness
✓Hair loss
✓Pain in muscles and joints
✓Irregularity and pain in menstrual periods
✓Constipation
✓Dry skin and brittle nails
✓What is Thyroid Cancer?
Thyroid cancer, which ranks among the least fatal diseases and has a very high treatment success rate, is considered a disease that occurs when cells in the thyroid gland turn cancerous. Thyroid cancer, which presents with symptoms of neck swelling, lumps, and thyroid nodules, is mostly treated with surgery when diagnosed. After surgery, radioactive iodine therapy and in some cases external radiation therapy are sometimes applied.
✓What are the Symptoms of Thyroid Cancer?
Neck swelling, growth, or lumps
✓Unexpected weight loss
✓Difficulty breathing
✓Difficulty swallowing
✓Voice hoarseness
✓Cough
✓Fatigue
✓Bone loss
✓Loss of appetite
✓Constipation
✓Nausea and vomiting
✓What are the Symptoms of High Thyroid?
Weight loss
✓Rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
✓Irregular heart rate (arrhythmia)
✓Aggression and anxiety
✓Sweating
✓Heat sensitivity
✓Changes in bowel movements
✓Fatigue
✓Muscle weakness
✓Sleep problems
✓Thin and brittle hair
✓What are the Symptoms of Low Thyroid?
Dry skin
✓High cholesterol
✓Joint and muscle pain
✓Hair loss
✓Exhaustion
✓Sensitivity to cold
✓Irregular uterine bleeding and fertility problems
✓Decrease in heart rate (bradycardia)
✓Depression
✓Constipation
✓Voice hoarseness
✓Muscle pain and weakness
✓Hearing problems
✓Weight gain
✓Memory problems appear.
✓What is Thyroid Crisis?
Thyroid storm, also called thyrotoxic crisis, is the rapid secretion of excessive thyroid hormone by the thyroid gland in a short period of time.
✓Thyroid crisis, which causes symptoms such as rapid heart rate, fever, and fainting, has the following signs:
✓Fever of 38 degrees and above
✓Heart pounding as if it will burst from the chest (exceeding 140 beats per minute-tachycardia)
✓Sweating
✓Diarrhea and vomiting
✓Abdominal pain
✓Irritability
✓Loss of consciousness (fainting)
✓Sleep disturbance
How Long Does Thyroid Surgery Take?
Thyroid surgery typically takes 1-3 hours depending on the scope of the procedure performed.
How Long Is the Recovery Period After Surgery?
Patients are usually discharged within 1-2 days, and the complete recovery process takes approximately 2-4 weeks.
Will There Be Weight Gain After Thyroid Surgery?
If thyroid hormone levels are not balanced after total thyroidectomy, weight gain may occur, but it can be controlled with hormone therapy at the correct dosage.
What are the surgical options when thyroid cancer is diagnosed?
When thyroid cancer is diagnosed, depending on the extent of the tumor, removal of part or all of the thyroid gland (thyroidectomy) may be recommended. Surgery is typically the first step of treatment.
How long is the recovery period after thyroid surgery?
The recovery period after thyroid surgery varies from person to person, but generally patients can return to normal activities within 1-2 weeks. It is recommended to avoid heavy physical activities for several weeks.
Are surgical scars permanent after surgery?
A small scar may remain on the neck after thyroid and parathyroid surgery. However, thanks to modern surgical techniques and aesthetic approaches, scars generally lose their prominence over time.
Can thyroid and parathyroid surgery be performed simultaneously?
In some cases, both thyroid and parathyroid problems may require surgical intervention at the same time. This situation is evaluated with your surgeon, and if possible, both surgeries can be performed in a single procedure.
What is the thyroid and what does it do?
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland consisting of right and left lobes, located below the thyroid cartilage known as the Adam's apple, which produces thyroid hormones. It plays a role in many functions of the body including growth, development, metabolism, heat balance, and the way the body uses energy.
What happens if the thyroid works poorly?
Poor thyroid function means producing and secreting less thyroid hormone, and this condition is defined as hypothyroidism. Since these hormones have the effect of regulating metabolic rate, when less hormone is secreted, the body shows symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, and hoarseness in the voice, and treatment is necessary.
What should people with thyroid nodules pay attention to?
When a thyroid nodule is benign, it causes difficulty breathing and a sensation of something stuck in the throat. If the nodule is large, surgery may be necessary for aesthetic reasons. People with thyroid nodules should have their nodules monitored at regular intervals.
What happens if thyroid disease progresses?
Especially people with hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), if they do not receive treatment and the disease progresses, they face risks of heart disease in particular, weight loss in the body continues, and more serious health problems can develop.
What is the basic function of the thyroid?
The basic function of the thyroid is to control the speed of metabolism (metabolic rate), which is the process by which the body converts consumed food into energy. All cells in the body need energy to function properly. When the thyroid does not work properly, many parts of the body can be affected, especially energy levels and metabolic rate.
Do thyroid diseases cause difficulty swallowing?
One of the common symptoms of thyroid diseases is difficulty swallowing. When a person swallows without eating or drinking something, or while swallowing during a meal, they may experience difficulty swallowing due to the effect of the thyroid glands as well. This difficulty can also be accompanied by pain. If swallowing difficulty and pain persist for a long time, a doctor should be consulted.
What foods are not good for the thyroid?
People with hyperthyroid disease should stay away from iodine and iodine-containing foods as much as possible, should not consume tea or coffee, and should eliminate smoking from their lives.