Introduction
The thyroid gland is a small gland located in the neck, which produces hormones that regulate the body’s metabolism. Thyroid surgery is a medical procedure to remove all or part of the thyroid gland. In this blog, we will discuss the symptoms, causes, and treatment of thyroid surgery to help you understand the procedure better.
Symptoms
The symptoms of thyroid problems may vary from person to person. Some common symptoms of thyroid conditions include:
- A lump or swelling in the neck
- Hoarseness or difficulty speaking
- Swallowing difficulties
- Fatigue and weakness
- Changes in heart rate or rhythm
- Weight gain or weight loss
- Sensitivity to temperature
- Changes in menstrual cycle
- Mood changes
Causes
Thyroid surgery is performed to treat various thyroid conditions, including:
- Thyroid nodules: A thyroid nodule is a solid or fluid-filled lump in the thyroid gland. Most nodules are not cancerous, but some may require surgery.
- Thyroid cancer: Thyroid cancer is a rare form of cancer that begins in the cells of the thyroid gland.
- Hyperthyroidism: Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone, which can cause various symptoms.
- Goiter: Goiter is a condition in which the thyroid gland becomes enlarged, which can cause difficulties with swallowing and breathing.
Treatment
Thyroid surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia, and the surgeon makes an incision in the neck to remove the thyroid gland or part of it. There are different types of thyroid surgery, including:
- Total thyroidectomy: This procedure involves removing the entire thyroid gland.
- Subtotal thyroidectomy: This procedure involves removing part of the thyroid gland.