Can you have a thyroid removed?

Is your thyroid acting up? Do you find yourself asking if it’s possible to have it removed altogether? Well, my dear reader, look no further because we’ve got all the juicy details on this topic!

First off, let’s talk about what the thyroid actually does. It’s a small butterfly-shaped gland located in your neck that produces hormones responsible for regulating metabolism and other important bodily functions. So needless to say – it’s pretty darn essential.

When is Thyroid Removal Necessary?

There are several scenarios when removing the thyroid becomes necessary:

  • Cancer – If cancer has formed on or within the gland itself.
  • Hyperthyroidism – An overactive thyroid may cause complications like weight loss and tremors.
  • Hypothyroidism – The opposite of an overactive thyroid, a sluggish one can lead to depression and fatigue.
  • Physical Enlargements – Whereby a goiter (an enlargement of the thyroid) grows so large that it puts pressure on surrounding structures in your body – including your windpipe.

When faced with any of these problems, having part or all of your thyroid surgically removed becomes an option.

Different Types & Degrees of Thyroidectomy

Now, there are different types and degrees of surgery involved here; depending upon how much they remove from within you will dictate which kind of procedure best suits you:

  1. Total:
  2. Complete removal
  3. Near-total:
    • Just around 99% targeted for extraction
  4. Subtotal:
    • Typically around three-quarters(75%) is extracted
  5. Partial/Lobectomy:
    • Only half or less [typically just one lobe] get taken out at once

Note that each person’s anatomy tends to vary slightly as well as their particular medical condition. Hence, a consultation with your physician is vital.

Pros and Cons of Thyroid Removal

Now that we’ve talked about surgical options let’s talk about the pros and cons of thyroid removal:

Pros

  • Does away with an otherwise life-threatening cancer – Knowing you have this option available if required can afford some comfort.
  • Eliminates those niggling symptoms associated – Such examples include tremors or general confusion.
  • no more medical treatments needed for Graves’ disease:
    • Graves’ Disease occurs when hyperthyrodism happens because antibodies circulating throughout one’s body rather than trying to combat normal threats constantly causing their thyroid gland to be stimulated.

Cons

  • When all or part of that little guy goes MIA (missing in action) it tends to mean you’re left reliant on synthetic hormones instead, says Dr. David Cooper (endocrinologist at Sinai Hospital). So essentially, it would equate to supplement dependency for the rest of…semidecade? [lifespan going forward?] Yup!

Note: The hormone is called levothyroxine.

Overall, each person should weigh up their unique situation before making any decision that could drastically affect their health and well-being. In other words: Guys/ Gals put down the scalpel until crunching through what suits you best!

Preparing For Surgery

So now decides full steam ahead for surgery! Before opting-in though there are certain things necessary ([itemised list]) in preparing oneself physically as follows:
1. [checkbox] Go into medication mode: Will require discontinuing usage such often cases involve blood-thinning agents like aspirin which could create bleeding problems whilst on table during procedure “let’s avoid gray areas” [it may prove helpful knowing precise guidelines from surgeon here].
2. [x] Fast forward motion: Refraining from food & drink for 12 hours before the scheduled surgery, at minimum.
3. [x] Make sure it’s good to go: Depending on when your appointment will be, a visit to Facilities management or Radiology imaging could prove necessary in order for lab testing prior.
4. Establish plan B: As with any operation, there is bound to be unforeseen circumstances where immediate medical attention ought to itemised detailing [find 24-hour clinic/hospital + phone numbers]

Worth noting: All of these steps above would already have been communicated directly to you by either surgeons themselves [or an assigned care team]. Apparently – this doesn’t need any cheeky intervention from yourself…unfortunately!

Thyroidectomy Procedure

So how does this thyroid removal actually work once a patient enters theatre? Like serious process wise? At its core:

  • Administers general anaesthesia (Dr. Cooper again emphasises full “”out like a light” sedation).
  • The surgeon confirms precisely which type of surgery will take place after performing marking across that person’s neck (colouring within the lines aka the exact location).
  • Incisions are made through skin and muscles then subsequently careful precision around nerves responsible your speaking and voice box very delicate stuff here folks!
    • Well until they don’t stitch-up properly…
  • Doctor uses chromic-gut sutures (‘Chromic what?’) dissolve over some weeks further clinical detail covered post-surgery procedures.

Well therein lies!

Post-Surgery Recovery & AfterCare

Rather important facet people fail remembering not just surgery itself but also ensuring one has ample recovery time apt alongside required follow-up appointments. So – exactly how long does recuperation typically last?

Standard Timeline For Full Recovery:

It’s advised taking anywhere between two – three weeks completely off covering pretty straightforward guidelines as follows:
1. On rest mode only
2. Making sure no strenuous activity undertaken especially heavy lifting.
3. No driving allowed for roughly two weeks after procedure [to avoid physical strain or potential bleeding if it required a swift [!] stop].
4. Do not perform hyper-extending motions with the neck (i.e., yoga poses)within that period stated above.

Regarding follow-up appointments, depending on whether there was:
– partial/total removal,
– Individual’s recovery time may vary

Life Once Thyroid Has Been Cut Out

Thus far, I’ve mapped out on why surgery might be necessary; how surgical procedures work concerning removing your thyroid including ensuing recuperation plus requisite steps for preparation and aftercare follow through – basically post-recovery advice yet what else?

Author Nick Trout had some snippets to share specifically about life thereafter [as well as interject with a few of my own for good measure]:

1) Medicinal Aid

As we learned earlier between levothyroxine essentially one’s gonna need medicine ongoingly to substitute hormone replacement therapy in endocrine department voids now present further emphasis shall be placed on lifelong supplementary management thereof (I mean do you really know what 50/microgram tablets look like being used thrice daily though)?

2) Emotional Impact:

The realization everything comes down having organs surgically removed can potentially traumatize anyone; thus counseling proves beneficial underway especially considering said emotions fleeting within average person age range this happening per Adam Schaffner M.D. Of course are exceptions which should have been sorted/negotiated pre-procedure already set up by hospital departments attached.

Furthermore – yes! Your psyche could still get hurt somewhere along the way just shows us there is more attention needed regarding mental health = you’re only human!

Conclusion

Surgery is no picnic let alone having body parts excised because it usually means tinkering with various aspects critical bodily functions, aka negative health implications BUT as discussed today – every individual scenario differs hence opt-in, opt-out procedure all depends on circumstances unique to you alone.

Just note the information we shared earlier: Different types of removal procedures, Preoperation must-do-lists & these below.
– Pros and Cons weighed up against one another
– Physical steps taken for surgical removal including thyroidectomy workflow
– Rehabilitation period along with what visits should take place post-recovery phase.

These tidbits mentioned above should pretty much clear the board in terms of necessary factors so make sure taking things slow while processing it all before making any drastic decisions too hastily!

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