Thyroid treatment

Surgery Group LA
Hypothyroidism vs Hyperthyroidism

Thyroid glands are a crucial part of your body’s system of organs and hormones that regulate the body’s metabolism and growth. They produce:

  • Thyroxine
  • Triiodothyronine
  • Calcitonin

The thyroid gland problems could be called the endocrine gland, Hashimoto’s, thyroid fog, or a neck bulge, but having too much or too little of any of these critical hormones can lead to serious problems that can affect your daily life.

Thyroid disorders can affect any gender and age group. When the gland is overactive (hyperthyroid)  or underactive (hypothyroidism) this can cause serious complications.

Area of anatomyHyperthyroidismHypothyroidism
Obvious Physical SymptomsFast heart rate
Unexpected Weight loss
Hand tremors		Constipation
Weight gain
SleepTrouble SleepingExcessive fatigue
Skin and EyesBrittle skin
Skin cuts easily		Dry skin
Periods and MenstruationHeavy menstruationLight menstruation or absent period
ReproductionDecreased fertilityMissed Ovulation
Decreased fertility
Bone healthBones may leak calcium OsteoporosisBone growth slows
Emotional and Mental healthUnexpected NervousnessAnxiety and Depression
Hyperactivity		Mild or severe fatigue
Depression and Hopelessness
Forgetfulness

Thyroid problems can be a burden on your mental and physical health and without the right information, it may have you feeling confused as to what is going on with your body.

For most thyroid conditions, a simple prescription of hormone supplement or anti-thyroid supplement is all you need to get back on the right track and get your body feeling normal again. 

If you or a loved one has any questions regarding symptoms synonymous with thyroid situations then let us help you understand how we can help.

October 5, 2022

Surgery Group LA
3 key terms to understand about your thyroid cancer prognosis
882 Thyroid Cancer Stock Photos, Pictures & Royalty-Free Images - iStock
Thyroid

In the hurry to give you all the facts about your case, your doctor might have inadvertently thrown out some words or concepts during your prognosis discussion that may have gone over your head. 

For those who need a little more clarity, here is what doctors mean when they are explaining these concepts to you in person.

Types of Thyroid Cancers

Papillary – Most common and most likely to respond to treatment even in deeper stages

Follicular and Medullary – Less common than Papillary but responds well to treatment

Anaplastic – The fastest growing of the four and least likely to respond to treatment

Types of Treatment

Surgery – Used to remove a part of all of the thyroid, most thyroid cancer patients will undergo some surgery at some point depending on the size and spread of cancer. These surgeries, while crucial, have a risk of infection, and bleeding, and will need you to avoid strenuous activity for 2 – 4 weeks.

Radiation Therapy – Used for Papillary and Follicular cancers. Radioactive iodine is ingested to kill cancerous thyroid cells, including thyroid cells that remain after surgery. Can cause dry mouth, mouth pain, eye inflammation, and altered taste of sense or smell.

Targeted Therapy Drugs – For aggressive cancers, your doctor will often prescribe targeted drug treatments that work by blocking specific chemicals that the cancer cell needs to survive. Can be ingested orally or through injections. The most common side effects of TKIs, the most common Targeted Therapy drugs are diarrhea, skin rash, and bleeding. Side effects of other drugs may vary.

5-year survival rates

5-year survival rates for cancers are based on the number of patients who have your cancer who survive in 5 years relative to the number of people generally who survive 5 years of your gender and age. Factors such as race, income factor, and genetic health also play a factor.

How your five-year rate is determined is based on the spread of cancer such as:

Localized – Cancer hasn’t grown outside of the thyroid

Regional – Cancer has spread to tissue near the thyroid

Distant – Cancer has spread to other parts of the body, such as the bones

As well as the individual circumstances of your cases. However, for Stage IV cancer the 5-year survival rate of each type of cancer is:

Papillary – Regional 99%, Distant 78%

Follicular – Regional 96%, Distant 63%

Medullary – Regional 90%, Distant 39%

Anaplastic – Regional 12%, Distant 4%

Conclusion

Every patient is different and every situation is unique but hopefully, this information is a decent overview of the how-to decipher your Thyroid Cancer prognosis.

If you or a loved one wants more information on thyroid cancer, speak to a medical professional today.

May 22, 2022

Surgery Group LA
New Advancement in Non-Opioid Post Surgery Recovery Programs Show Positive Results for Thyroid Cancer Patients

May 6, 2022 – With over 10 million people last year abusing opioids in the past year alone, patients with major surgery have become more and more aware of the risks of opioid dependency.

However, in a multi-study analysis of double blind studies, patients who participated in a program of pre-op therapy sessions and minor pain medications, resulted in a statistically significant drop in post opioid use.

Perhaps just as importantly these patients didn’t desire new opioid prescriptions after surgery. This suggests that with proper pain management, modern thyroid surgical treatments might not require opioids at all.

While potentially addictive, opioids still can be a crucial option for patients who need them and the representatives of the study reiterated that each patient post operative care needs to be treated as a unique case.

However, with new best medical practices, thyroid cancer patients might have one less thing to worry about during this stressful time in their lives.

If you or a loved one is going through thyroid cancer and needs more information about their case, please speak to a medical professional today.

May 9, 2022

Surgery Group LA
Do thyroid cancer patients still need radioactive iodine treatment? New research casts doubts

Radioactive Iodine treatment has long been a key component of treatment for patients suffering from minor to moderate cases of thyroid cancer. Usually performed after the thyroid has been removed, the treatment was designed to pump in radioactive isotopes of iodine killing any remaining cancerous cells left in the thyroid after surgery, decreasing the chances of relapse.

The problem with the procedure is that while the treatment itself is quite safe and free of major side effects, the procedure can be quite expensive and time extensive for patients.

Newer studies have already indicated that the time for radioactive iodine may have passed. With advances in ct scans and ultrasound testing, many thyroid tumors are found while they are still small and have relatively low risks. For these tumors, it had long been speculated that radiation was not necessary and unreasonably costly to add to treatment. In 2012, researchers found that even smaller than normal doses of radiation were just as effective at preventing relapse compared to normal doses of radioactive iodine.

These same researchers then performed a larger study of 730 patients with low-risk thyroid cancer and tumors less than 2 centimeters in width, treating half with no radioactive iodine at all, and half with the microdose similar to amounts of the previous study,

These researchers found after 3 years there was no difference in relapses, needed treatments, and irregular biological findings, between the groups who were treated and not treated with radioactive iodine.

While these groups will be monitored for years to come, and recommendations on radioactive iodine will not change right away, this could be the first piece of hard evidence that a laborious and expensive part of thyroid cancer treatment may be a thing of the past.

Have any questions in regards to thyroid cancer, or thyroid health in general? Consult a medical professional today.

March 31, 2022

Surgery Group LA
Goiters: Diagnosis and Treatment

Goiter

A Goiter is an irregular growth of the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is a gland located under the Adam’s apple in a winged-like wrapping around your neck.

Symptoms 

Most people with Goiters won’t develop any symptoms outside of swelling around the neck. However, Goiters can cause specific symptoms depending on if it causes a decrease or increase in thyroid function.

Hypothyroidism – Decrease in Thyroid function

  • Fatigue
  • Sensitivity to cold
  • Sleepiness
  • Dry skin
  • Muscle weakness
  • Problems with attention or concentration

Hyperthyroidism – Increase in Thyroid function

  • Weight loss
  • Rabid Heartbeat (tachycardia)
  • Increased sensitivity to heat
  • Excess sweating
  • Tremors
  • Twitchiness or Irritability
  • High blood pressure

Diagnosis and Treatment

Goiters are often discovered during a routine physical exam. Your doctor might discover a growth or swelling around your neck and perform further imaging tests. These are performed in order to get a better idea of the size of nodules, assess whether you are suffering from hypo or hyperthyroidism, and determine the cause of the goiter. 

These tests include:

  • Hormone Test – Your doctor will perform a blood test in order to test your thyroid hormone levels and see if your thyroid is performing properly
  • Antibody Test – Depending on your blood work,  your doctor may perform an antibody test in order to rule out Hashimoto’s or Graves disease, a thyroid condition linked to an autoimmune disorder
  • Ultrasound of the thyroid – A ultrasound uses sound waves in order to create an image of your thyroid, which helps your doctor reveal the size of the thyroid and nodules affecting the thyroid
  • Radioactive iodine uptake test – Your doctor may prescribe this test in order to understand your thyroid function. They will inject you with a small amount of radioactive iodine and scan your thyroid gland in order to see how your thyroid absorbs it 
  • Biopsy – Your doctor may perform a microscopic biopsy of your neck tissue cells in order to rule out the possibility of a cancerous growth causing your condition

Treatment

Depending on the size of the goiter, severity of symptoms, and causes of the goiter, your doctor may perform any of these treatment options. 

  • Watchful waiting – In most cases, goiters are small, noncancerous, and have little chance of growing. In these cases, your doctor may advise no treatment but will prescribe a careful observation schedule with regularly timed testing intervals. If the thyroid has caused new growth or causing new symptoms report it to your doctor immediately
  • Medications – Underactive thyroids (Hypothyroidism) will often be treated with hormone supplements like levothyroxine (Levoxyl), while overactive thyroids (Hyperthyroidism) will be treated with drugs like methimazole (Tapazole) which may reduce the size of the goiter.
  • Surgery – If a goiter is affecting your ability to breath or swallow, or is connected with thyroid cancer, you may need surgery in the form of a total or partial thyroidectomy. If surgery is performed, you will often need to take regular hormone supplements in order to replace the hormones your thyroid would usually produce

However, in most cases, goiters do not need treatments and can be managed with aspirin and a healthy diet that rich in iodine which includes:

  • Seaweed
  • Saltwater fish such as salmon and tuna
  • Soy and dairy products

If you have any concerns regarding your thyroid, speak to a medical professional today.

December 15, 2021

Surgery Group LA
What to Expect After Thyroid Surgery

It’s important to know prior to your thyroid surgery what to expect after your operation. That way the process won’t be nearly as surprising or concerning to you. It can also be a great barometer for how your post-operative recovery is going and when it might be time to consult your medical professional for questions and concerns. The team at Surgery Group of LA has created this handy guide about what to expect after your thyroid surgery.

Immediately After

It is fairly common for patients immediately after thyroid surgery to suffer from a temporary sore throat, difficulty swallowing, and a weak voice. These symptoms are normal and almost always temporary. Your doctor will often prescribe a limited diet the day of surgery, but you should be able to follow your normal diet the very next day. 

Getting Back to Normal

Most patients will be able to return to their normal daily activities in a few days and to work in about a week. Activities like weight lifting or strenuous work should be avoided however for at least two weeks. 

Pain from the incision point usually goes away after a few days, but should not be too dramatic and can be treated with an OTC pain medication like Tylenol or aspirin. If you have been prescribed Percocet at your discharge, do not take OTC medications with acetaminophen like Tylenol. Only use pain medication as prescribed by your doctor to avoid complications.

New Supplements

After surgery, you will need to incorporate supplementation daily as part of your new routine. These will include:

  • Thyroid Hormone – usually in the form of a Synthroid (levothyroxine is its generic name) every day on an empty stomach usually in the morning. Do not eat 30 minutes after taking thyroid hormone
  • Calcium – Typically after surgery your calcium levels will be depleted and need to be replaced though is usually temporary. Usually in the form of calcium carbonate pills 1-3 times a day at your doctor’s discretion. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions carefully to avoid side effects or complications.


When to call your doctor

If you are experiencing any of these severe side effects, contact your doctor as soon as you can:

  • Fever over 101.5
  • Prolonged difficulty swallowing
  • Muscle cramps
  • Increased pain, swelling, or tenderness  in your incision point (Crucial)

While thyroid surgery complications may occur, recovery from thyroid surgery is often quick and easy. However, consult your medical professional if you have any questions or concerns before or after your surgery.

November 12, 2021



Surgery Group of LA is a multi-specialty surgical practice based in Los Angeles, dedicated to providing expert, compassionate care across a wide range of specialties including colorectal, thyroid, general, and minimally invasive surgery. Our board-certified surgeons are committed to delivering personalized treatment using the latest technology and techniques.

Patient Resources

310-861-7493

8635 W 3rd St Suite 880 W,
Los Angeles, CA 90048
[email protected]

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