Had a thyroidectomy? Here's what you need to know
Are you about to have a thyroidectomy, or recently had one? This can be a scary experience, especially if it’s your first major surgery or it happened quite quickly. But by understanding a thyroidectomy, you can feel empowered about your own health again.
Here are a few key topics I discuss with my thyroidectomy clients.
When is a thyroidectomy required?
There are many potential reasons for a thyroidectomy. The most common are:
Thyroid cancer – to remove the cancerous growths. This may also come with removal of lymph nodes or other areas if the cancer has spread.
Hyperthyroidism & Graves’ disease – surgery is an intervention used in those who have been unresponsive to treatments such as anti-thyroid medications or radioactive iodine.
Thyroid nodules – if they are suspicious, large or causing significant symptoms, a thyroidectomy allows for the removal of nodules.
As a thyroidectomy is irreversible, it’s important you discuss it thoroughly with your healthcare provider. You may also have evaluations in the lead-up including ultrasounds, biopsy and blood tests.
What type of thyroidectomy have you had?
There are two types of thyroidectomy:
Partial (known as a hemithyroidectomy)
Full thyroidectomy
With a partial thyroidectomy, you still have some viable thyroid tissue left. That means you still have the ability to produce thyroid hormone naturally.
With a total thyroidectomy, the entire thyroid has been removed. You may have even had radioactive iodine to destroy any small fragments that remain. This means that you don’t have the ability to produce thyroid hormone, so you will be reliant on medication that supplies thyroid hormone(s) for life.
Monitoring is essential, no matter which type!
Both forms of thyroidectomy will require life-long monitoring of thyroid hormone levels via blood tests.
If you’re unsure, speak to your doctor about how often you should have your levels checked. And if you notice any hypothyroid symptoms, make sure you see your doctor and request testing.
Healing can take time – but you can give it a helping hand
Due to the operation, you’ll have an incision in the neck. How big it is depends on the thyroidectomy and if there are any lymph nodes to remove (known as neck dissection). But no matter what the size, your body will need time to heal.
This is where including immune-supporting nutrients such as zinc and vitamin C can be helpful. You can also speak to your practitioner about a personalised herbal and/or nutrient prescription based on your health history.
And of course, diet and lifestyle are the two best ways to encourage healing. So focus on plenty of fresh wholefoods, sleep and rest breaks (particularly for the first little while after your surgery) and managing your stress levels.
Finding your medication balance may not happen overnight
If you need to go onto thyroid replacement after your thyroidectomy, you might think that it’s as easy as taking a pill or two. But many people will take months or even longer to find their right dose and medication type.
Even once you are on an appropriate dose, your needs could change in the future. That’s why ongoing monitoring of your levels is a must for long-term wellbeing.
There are steps you can take to manage your health post-thyroidectomy
Learn more about my top tips for post-thyroidectomy holistic healthcare here.
THE POWER IS IN YOUR HANDS
When you receive a thyroid disease diagnosis, there’s a good chance you’ll feel overwhelmed and powerless. It could even be that you’re not clear on what’s driving it or where it came from!
But even if you’re still uncovering the cause, it doesn’t mean you need to suffer the symptoms forever! Your daily habits can make a massive difference – all you need to do is learn about your condition and empower yourself.