What type of surgeon removes your thyroid?

Thyroid surgery is performed by otolaryngologists or general surgeons.

Who should do thyroid surgery?

General surgeons still perform the majority of thyroid surgery (83%) but ENT surgeons now perform significant numbers (15.4% of all cases), which translates to 1499 cases per annum.

Is thyroid removal major surgery?

A thyroidectomy is a treatment for a variety of conditions of the thyroid gland. A thyroidectomy is a common but major surgery with serious risks and potential complications. There may be less invasive treatment options available to you. A doctor can advise you if this is the case.

Do endocrinologists do thyroid surgery?

Endocrine surgeon provide surgical treatment for thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal conditions.

How painful is thyroid removal?

Typically, there is not a lot of pain involved with thyroid and parathyroid surgery. Rarely narcotic pain medication will be required, but it will be available to you if needed. Most patients only need acetaminophen (Tylenol) for discomfort.

Thyroid Surgery (Thyroidectomy)

How long is the recovery for thyroid surgery?

Most people are ready to return home within one day of surgery, but take off about two weeks from work to recover. You'll need to refrain from heavy lifting or other tasks that can strain your neck for up to three weeks after your surgery.

Will I gain weight after thyroid removal?

Patients with hyperthyroidism commonly experience weight gain after thyroidectomy. This occurs due to the reduction in circulating thyroid hormone, thus ameliorating the weight-lowering effects of elevated thyroid hormones (4,5).

Who is the best thyroid surgeon?

Dr. Gary Clayman is one of the most experienced thyroid surgeons and arguably the most experienced thyroid cancer surgeon in the world. Dr. Clayman is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American Head and Neck Society.

What is a thyroid specialist called?

Thyroidologists are endocrinologists who specifically study, diagnose, manage and treat the thyroid gland.

Should I see an ENT or endocrinologist for thyroid?

Your thyroid gland is located in the front of your neck, just below your voice box. If you have a lump, nodule, or other growth on your thyroid, an endocrinologist should examine it. Most are harmless (benign), but once in a while a more serious change is happening.

How long do you stay in hospital after thyroid removal?

After thyroid surgery, you will probably stay in hospital for one or two nights to recover from surgery. Your neck wound will be closed with stitches, adhesive strips or small clips. Your nursing team will talk to you about how to care for your surgical wound site once you go home to prevent it becoming infected.

What is life like after thyroid removal?

Following surgery, you may experience: Voice changes, such as, a hoarse voice, difficulty in speaking loudly, voice fatigue, and a change in the tone of your voice. These changes are due to damage to the laryngeal nerves that supply your voice box (larynx) during surgery.

Does thyroid removal shorten life expectancy?

We have also shown that treatment per se (thyroidectomy, high-dose radioactive iodine and thyroid hormone medication) is safe and does not shorten life expectancy.

Do general surgeons do thyroid surgery?

Thyroid surgery is performed by otolaryngologists or general surgeons.

What type of doctor does fine needle aspiration of thyroid?

Image-guided, minimally invasive procedures such as fine needle aspiration of the thyroid are most often performed by a specially trained radiologist with experience in needle aspiration and ultrasound. Doctors usually perform needle biopsies on an outpatient basis.

What is the side effect of removing thyroid gland?

Side effects of thyroid surgery are common and often include neck pain, a sore throat, difficulty swallowing, and hoarseness. You may be given calcium and vitamin D supplements, and hormone replacement therapy is needed in some cases.

Does an ENT treat thyroid?

While there are different kinds, the most common conditions include thyroid nodules, thyroiditis, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. All these require treatment from ENT specialists to reduce their long-term risks.

When should you be referred to an endocrinologist?

Why does an endocrinologist look at your hands?

Your doctor will want to check your teeth to ensure you don't have mouth infections, and they will check the skin of your hands and feet to ensure that you aren't developing sores or skin infections. They'll listen to your heart and lungs with a stethoscope and feel your abdomen with their hands.

At what size should a thyroid nodule be removed?

Thyroid nodules are often diagnosed as benign by needle biopsy during a patient evaluation. Although these nodules are benign, almost all of them will enlarge or grow over time. Thus, size is one reason for benign thyroid nodule surgery. Any nodule that is 4 cm or larger should be removed with thyroid nodule surgery.

When should you have your thyroid removed?

Your doctor may recommend surgery to remove part or all of your thyroid gland if it's overactive, has grown very large, or has nodules, cysts or other growths that are—or could be—cancerous.

What do endocrine surgeons do?

Endocrine surgery is focused on surgical conditions of the thyroid, parathyroid glands, adrenals, and neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas and gastrointestinal tract.

Is it hard to lose weight after thyroid removal?

Losing weight can be a challenging process for many people who are living with an underactive thyroid. Whether you have hypothyroidism or no thyroid after thyroidectomy (surgical removal of the thyroid) or radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment, thyroid function affects metabolism and can make weight loss an uphill battle.

Do you have a catheter during thyroid surgery?

If you're having an endoscopic or robotic thyroidectomy, the surgeon will use small instruments and a video camera to perform the procedure through tiny incisions. A catheter may be placed in the area to help drain blood and fluids.