When Would Someone Need To Remove Part of Their Thyroid?

When most people think of hormones, they think of estrogen and testosterone — the so-called sex hormones. But your body produces hundreds of these special chemicals designed to regulate a variety of functions and processes, from appetite to growth to sleep.

Three of those key hormones — thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3) and calcitonin — are produced by your thyroid gland, a small, butterfly-shaped gland that hugs your neck. These hormones play important roles in metabolism, the process your body uses to convert food to usable energy. They also help regulate breathing, heart rate, and body temperature.

Thyroid dysfunction isn’t uncommon, and often, it can be treated with medication. But some conditions require surgery to remove the gland or a part of it, a surgery referred to as a partial thyroidectomy or hemithyroidectomy.

At ENT Specialists, our team is skilled in partial thyroidectomy surgery, using the most advanced surgical techniques and technology. Here, learn when partial thyroidectomy is recommended and what surgery and recovery entail.

Partial thyroidectomy: the basics

The thyroid comprises two lobes connected by a thinner band of tissue called the isthmus. Partial thyroidectomy is a surgery that typically removes one lobe or one lobe and the isthmus. 

Partial thyroidectomy is often performed to treat hyperthyroidism, or overactive thyroid gland, that can’t be effectively controlled by medication. Removing only part of the gland means the thyroid can still make hormones, though at a lower rate. 

Partial thyroidectomy is also used to remove growths called nodules that can affect the way the thyroid works. It may also be used to treat goiter, an enlargement of the thyroid gland that may or may not be accompanied by nodules.

Finally, we may recommend partial thyroidectomy to treat very small thyroid cancers that don’t require complete gland removal. During surgery, the surgeon removes the lobe (and sometimes the isthmus), then uses a microscope to evaluate tissue changes. Depending on the findings, the rest of the gland may need to be removed to prevent cancer from spreading.

Surgery and recovery

Partial thyroidectomy is performed in a hospital using general anesthesia, so you’ll sleep through the entire procedure. Most procedures take anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours, depending on the amount of tissue that’s being removed and other factors, such as whether cancer is suspected.

Once surgery is complete, you’ll go to a recovery area, where you’ll be monitored. You may have a small plastic tube or drain inserted in your incision to reduce fluid accumulation and improve comfort and healing. 

Most patients remain in the hospital for 1-3 days after surgery. You may have a sore throat or hoarse voice initially, and swallowing may feel “different” due to swelling in the area. These effects clear up as the area heals.

Recovery

Complete recovery typically takes a few weeks. Right after surgery, you’ll probably want to follow a soft-food diet while swallowing function recovers. You’ll be given medication to reduce pain and swelling, and you’ll need to avoid lifting and other strenuous physical activity for about three weeks. Your doctor provides complete instructions to help you care for your incision, as well as scheduling a follow-up visit to check on your progress and perform any required blood tests.

Once part of the gland is removed, the amount of hormones the gland produces declines. Depending on how much of the gland was removed and other factors, you may need to take medication after your surgery to replace the hormones no longer produced by the gland. Some patients also need calcium supplements.

Learn more about partial thyroid surgery

Thyroid problems can cause a wide array of symptoms, like:

• Weight gain or weight loss
• Swelling in the face or legs
• Anxiety, irritability, or “jumpiness”
• Intolerance to hot or cold temperatures
• Changes in bowel habits
• Shortness of breath
• Palpitations
• Muscle weakness
• Lethargy or fatigue

Some thyroid problems cause the gland to swell, resulting in a palpable lump around your throat.

If you have any concerns about your thyroid gland and its function, don’t delay seeking an evaluation. To learn how we can help, request an appointment online or over the phone with the team at ENT Specialists in Salt Lake City, Murray, Draper, and Tooele, Utah, today.