Thyroidectomy

Surgery Group LA  ·  Thyroid
Impact of Thyroid Removal on Hormonal Balance and Weight Management

The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped organ located in the neck that plays a crucial role in regulating our hormones and metabolism. Unfortunately, some individuals may experience thyroid-related conditions that require surgical intervention, known as a thyroidectomy leading to the removal of all or part of the gland. 

While surgery may be necessary to manage certain thyroid concerns, it can also have a significant impact on hormonal balance and weight management. As a result, individuals who undergo thyroid removal may experience a range of symptoms, including weight gain, fatigue, and mood changes. 

In this article, we’ll explore the impact of thyroid removal on hormonal balance and weight management, as well as strategies for managing these changes. Whether you’re preparing for thyroid surgery or recently underwent the procedure, this article will provide valuable insights and tips to help you navigate the potential challenges of thyroid removal.

The role of the thyroid gland in hormonal balance and weight management

The thyroid gland plays a critical role in regulating hormones and metabolism. It produces two hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which help regulate energy production and metabolism. These hormones control the body’s metabolism, which affects how many calories are burnt at rest. The thyroid gland also produces calcitonin, which helps regulate calcium levels in the body. Hormones produced by the thyroid gland are essential for maintaining a healthy weight, regulating body temperature, and controlling heart rate.

Causes of thyroid removal

Thyroid removal is usually recommended to treat thyroid cancer, hyperthyroidism, goiters, or thyroid nodules that are overproducing thyroid hormones. In some cases, the thyroid gland may be removed due to non-cancerous conditions such as a thyroid cyst, severe thyroiditis, or Graves’ disease. In Graves’ disease, the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, causing it to overproduce hormones, leading to hyperthyroidism. In such cases, removing the thyroid gland can help alleviate the symptoms and prevent further complications.

The impact of thyroid removal on hormonal balance

After thyroid removal, the body no longer produces thyroid hormones, which can result in hormonal imbalances. The lack of thyroid hormones can cause a condition called hypothyroidism, which can lead to weight gain, fatigue, depression, and other symptoms. Hypothyroidism can also cause a decrease in metabolism, leading to weight gain, and difficulty in losing weight.

In some cases, the remaining gland can compensate for the lost function, and the body can maintain a normal hormone level. However, in most cases, patients require lifelong hormone replacement therapy to supplement the missing thyroid hormones. Hormone replacement therapy involves taking synthetic thyroid hormone pills, usually levothyroxine, to replace the missing thyroid hormones.

The impact of thyroid removal on weight management

Thyroid removal can have a significant impact on weight management. After surgery, patients may experience weight gain due to several factors, including hormonal imbalances, a slower metabolism, and changes in appetite. Some patients may also experience an increase in appetite due to hormonal changes, which can lead to overeating and weight gain.

Managing weight after thyroid removal is challenging, but it’s not impossible. The key is to adopt healthy eating habits and engage in regular physical activity. Patients should also consult with their healthcare provider to determine an appropriate calorie intake for their age, gender, and activity level.

Managing weight after thyroid removal

Managing weight after thyroid removal can be challenging, but a few strategies can help control weight gain. 

  1. Patients should focus on maintaining a healthy diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. They should avoid high-calorie, high-fat foods, processed foods, and sugary drinks. 
  2. Eating smaller, more frequent meals can also help control hunger and prevent overeating.
  3. Physical activity is also essential for weight management after thyroid removal. Patients should engage in regular exercise, such as walking, jogging, swimming, or cycling, for at least 30 minutes per day. Exercise can help burn calories, increase metabolism, and improve overall health.

Hormone replacement therapy

Hormone replacement therapy is usually required after thyroid removal to replace the missing thyroid hormones. Patients usually take levothyroxine, a synthetic thyroid hormone, to maintain normal hormone levels. The dosage is adjusted based on the patient’s age, weight, and other factors. It’s essential to take the medication as prescribed and to have regular blood tests to monitor hormone levels.

Lifestyle changes for managing hormonal balance and weight after thyroid removal

Lifestyle changes are essential for managing hormonal balance and weight after thyroid removal. Patients should avoid smoking and limit alcohol consumption, as they can interfere with thyroid hormone absorption. Stress management techniques, such as meditation, yoga, and deep breathing, can also help relieve stress and improve overall health.

Patients should also get adequate sleep, as sleep deprivation can lead to hormonal imbalances and weight gain. It’s recommended to get at least seven to eight hours of sleep every night. Additionally, patients should consult with their healthcare provider before taking any supplements or herbal remedies, as they can interfere with hormone replacement therapy.

Coping with emotional changes after thyroid removal

Thyroid removal can also cause emotional changes, such as anxiety, depression, and mood swings. Coping with these changes can be challenging, but support from family, friends, and healthcare providers can help. Patients should also seek counseling or therapy to manage their emotional health and well-being.

Conclusion

Thyroid removal can have a significant impact on hormonal balance and weight management. Patients may experience weight gain, fatigue, and other symptoms due to hormonal imbalances and changes in metabolism. However, with the right strategies, such as healthy eating habits, regular physical activity, and hormone replacement therapy, patients can manage their weight and hormonal balance after thyroid removal. Seeking support from family, friends, and healthcare providers can also help manage emotional changes and improve overall well-being.

May 10, 2023

Surgery Group LA
Hair, Skin, and Nail symptoms that may signal Thyroid problems

To be honest, winter can be awfully brutal. Between the snow or the rain, the dry air, or the tough winds, the winter can cause havoc on your body. This is especially true if your body is fighting a thyroid condition that you don’t even know about.

So while it is perfectly normal to have a bit of dry skin or a couple of bad hair days during this winter, you may be enduring a thyroid condition that needs treatment, especially if your symptoms are persisting and getting worse.

The surgery group of Los Angeles knows how often thyroid conditions go untreated, particularly for people who aren’t sure what thyroid symptoms are like.

To combat this, our thyroid health team has constructed this handy skin, nail, and hair checklist, especially for our readers who need to know when to see your doctor this winter.

Hair symptoms

It’s on your head, and we want to keep your hair looking great so if you notice any of these symptoms:

  • Eyebrows may start to thin or go missing entirely around the outer edges
  • Coarse brittle hair
  • Hair that breaks easily, or even falls out
  • Thinning hair or bald patches

While of course, these can be symptoms of other things, like maybe its a subtle sign that you need to spend a little more money on your conditioner but, if you experiencing any of these symptoms talk to your doctor right away

Skin Symptoms

Problems with your skin, are usually the first type of sign you’ll get that your thyroid is not working at its best.

Your skin can start to look:

  • Doughy, pale, swollen
  • Or in some cases warm and moist like a babies
  • Dry skin and leathery skin is the most common

Your skin can start to develop

  • goiters – growths around the neck
  • A yellowish-orange color on the palms
  • Deep noticeable lines and creases
  • Slow-healing wounds, or scratches
  • Rashes

Due to the weakening of your skin, you may particularly develop:

  • widening or swollen noses
  • Protruding eyes and eye pain
  • Sweating a lot more or less

Yikes, once your thyroid is unable to regulate your skin the way it’s supposed it can cause very noticeable problems.

Nail Symptoms

Your nails can also signify if you have a thyroid problem. What usually happens is your nails will start to look:

  • thick, brittle, and dry
  • Very visible ridges
  • Prone to peeling
  • Breaks easily
  • Thickening skin and swelling around the nail

If you or a loved one are experiencing these symptoms, this doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a thyroid condition.

However, after speaking with your doctor, you can plan blood tests and checkups that will allow you guys to understand what your body is going through. If you have questions about your thyroid, it’s time to speak to your doctor today.

January 16, 2023

Surgery Group LA
What is Hashimoto’s disease?

If you’re reading this, chances are you might be feeling a little off lately.

Your neck may feel achy and swollen or you are suffering from:

  • Swelling around the neck, especially near your thyroid
  • Unexplained fatigue or sleepiness
  • Hair loss
  • Joint stiffness
  • Brittle nails

If you’re suffering from any of these symptoms, especially for no known reason, your Thyroid may be out of whack. And if your thyroid is out of whack, it most likely is Hashimoto’s disease.

What is Hashimoto’s disease?

Named after the surgeon who discovered it, Hashimoto’s disease is a condition when your immune system starts to automatically attack your thyroid system by mistake.

This can cause serious problems in your body. Specifically, because your thyroid’s job is to make hormones that control how hot and cold you are, even how your bones and joints heal!

Without your thyroid working, your whole body can start to turn on you.

While it is still unclear what causes your immune system to act this way, Hashimoto’s disease is more common in:

  • women,
  • people with diabetes 1, and those
  • people with other genetic disorders.

How do I treat Hashimoto’s disease?

The great news is that Hashimoto’s disease is easily treatable. Often people with Hashimoto’s disease develop no symptoms and can simply go on with their daily lives.

However, for people whose thyroid produces too little hormone, doctors will prescribe synthetic T3 or T4 hormones. If needed, you will probably also need to take this synthetic hormone for the rest of your 

Even still, if your thyroid is in bad enough shape, your doctor may decide that your thyroid is no longer able to function properly. In these cases, your doctor will usually recommend surgery.

How do I treat Hashimotos disease surgically?

Total thyroidectomy is the surgery of choice for most cases of Hashimoto’s disease. Straightaway it gives your medical team great control over the spread of the disease, and dramatically lowers the risk of relapse.

With modern robotic surgical techniques, Thyroidectomies can almost entirely be performed with multiple minimal incisions. 

These incisions are performed using robotic instruments that allow your surgeons the smallest and most efficient cuts possible.

What will life be like after Thyroid surgery?

Your thyroid surgery will usually put you out for a night, but for not much longer. You may experience a hoarse voice, and neck pain over the next few weeks. Be patient with your voice, especially after the first few days.

After surgery treatment is simple. Once your surgery is complete your doctor will prescribe you a synthetic version of the hormones your thyroid produces.

You will need to take these thyroid hormones for the rest of your life. While these hormones should cause no side effects, let your doctor know if you are experiencing:

  • pain in your bones and joints
  • Irregular heart rate
  • Feeling too hot or too cold all the time

If you or a loved one have read this article and believe you have a thyroid problem or condition, speak to a doctor right away.

They can get tested often on the same day.

January 4, 2023

Surgery Group LA
Recovering from Thyroid Surgery: What to expect?

A Thyroidectomy is the surgical removal of a part of all of your thyroid glands. Your thyroid is located around the neck and produces hormones that control every aspect of your body’s metabolism, from your heart rate to how efficiently you work through calories.

A Thyroidectomy is required in order to treat conditions such as thyroid cancer, an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), or goiters. 

Depending on the amount of thyroid removed your thyroid may function normally after surgery. However, if your entire thyroid must be removed (total thyroidectomy) you will need to ingest a daily amount of thyroid hormone in order to replace your thyroid’s natural duties.

What is the recovery process from a thyroidectomy like? 

Some common temporary ailments that you might endure after your thyroid surgery include:

  • Sore throat
  • Neck pain
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Weak voice
  • Tingling fingers and mouth (requires calcium supplement)

The good news is again these symptoms are quite temporary, and should completely go away after 2-3 weeks. Your doctor will still recommend that you do not perform any heavy lifting or strenuous activities for about 3 weeks. 

It’s important to avoid scrubbing or soaking the site of your surgery for at least a week after surgery, though regular showering is generally okay after one day.

Before you are released from the hospital, your medical team will schedule follow-up appointments, provide specific instructions for recovery at home, and prescribe any medications you may need.

Pain and other symptoms involving the incision site of your surgery should improve after a few days but may continue for a week or so. If you notice sudden swelling in your neck, this may signify an infection, and you should follow up with your medical team as soon as possible.

Does Thyroid Surgery have side effects?

If you are undergoing total thyroidectomy, you will need to take thyroid hormone replacements for the rest of your life. If your parathyroid gland was affected during surgery you may need calcium supplements as well to balance your calcium levels.

What is the recovery process like day to day?

As mentioned earlier, after your surgery you may experience:

  • Sore Throat
  • Weak Voice
  • Neck pain

Your incision will need to be taken care of and you may need to avoid showering, pools, or baths for up to a week after in order to ensure proper healing. Your scar may start to grow pink and harden, and the surrounding area may grow dry and itchy. 

While you should avoid any neck strain a week or two after surgery, after this you should begin to stretch out and move your neck as soon as you can without pain or difficulty. This will ensure that your neck does not permanently become stiff.

When can I return to normal activities?

After about 10 -14 days you may be able to resume vigorous physical activity such as running or working out, but you should still take it slow in the beginning. Be mindful of any sudden swelling or new symptoms and alert your doctor if they come up. After 3 weeks or so you should back to normal activities without much problem.

August 30, 2022

Surgery Group LA
3 Facts you Need to Know about your Parathyroid

Your Parathyroid is a crucial part of your whole body. 100,00 people develop primary Hyperparathyroidism each year! Like its cousin Hyperthyroidism, it tends to occur due to a nutrient or vitamin deficiency that affects your hormonal glands’ ability to do their job. Hyperparathyroidism is very common for people over the age of 40. Symptoms include:

  • Excessive thirst
  • Loss of appetite
  • Depression/Muscle Weakness

However many cases of Hyperparathyroidism do not have symptoms so it is important to see your doctor for your routine checkups. Before your checkup here are some quick facts to know about Parathyroid.

Parathyroid vs Thyroid

The thyroid and parathyroid both live close to the neck and control hormones but they actually do very different jobs. The thyroid is in charge of regulating iodine in the body, while the parathyroid is in charge of regulating calcium and vitamin D. These nutrients are crucial for everything to your mood, your metabolism, and even the strength of your bones

How to keep your Parathyroid STRONG!!!

The key numbers to remember for Parathyroid health is 1200-1500 mg of Calcium a day and 1000 units of Vitamin D. While supplementation could be an option you can get your daily recommended supply of Vitamin D by standing outside at noon for 6-12 minutes!

For your calcium needs try going natural by eating:

  • yogurt
  • milk
  • dark green leafy green vegetables

How your doctor treats your parathyroid

If one of these routine checkups flags you for primary hyperparathyroidism, or other parathyroid illnesses, your doctor may recommend removing the abnormal parathyroid glands. The great news is that your body has four parathyroid glands and removing one can be the best to ensure your other glands work properly. The operation has minimal risk of complications and you should be back to normal in about 1 -3 weeks depending on your situation.

Parathyroid surgery could relieve you of bone and muscle pain, reverse osteoporosis symptoms and improve the quality of your life. If you or a loved one would like to get tested for parathyroid issues speak to a doctor today.

July 6, 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
Thyroid Nodules: Diagnosis and Treatment

Thyroid Nodules

A Thyroid Nodule is a solid or fluid-filled lump that forms within the thyroid gland, a hormone gland that is wrapped around your neck under the Adam’s apple.

Symptoms

While most thyroid nodules are small and go away with time if you have any of these symptoms it may be time to speak with a doctor for testing.

For cases of an underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism  you may suffer from: 

  • Feeling cold all the time
  • Memory problems or trouble concentrating
  • Depression and fatigue

For cases of an overactive thyroid  or hyperthyroidism you may suffer from: 

  • Sudden weight loss, even if your appetite has increased or is normal
  • Pounding heartbeat, tremors
  • Muscle weakness

Diagnosis and Treatment

Thyroid nodules 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, as well as determine if the growth may be cancerous.

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 nodules, severity of symptoms, and causes of the thyroid nodules, your doctor may perform any of these treatment options. 

  • Watchful waiting – In most cases, thyroid nodules 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 your thyroid 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, thyroid nodules do not need treatments and can be managed with aspirin, and a diet that focuses on increasing supplies of iodine in the form of:

  • 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
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

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