Possible thyroidectomy complications

hellman · Newbie Joined: 16 Apr 2005 Posts: 22

Hi, I'm 48 years old and I have been diagnosed with thyroid gland cancer about 6 months ago. I have tried radiotherapy and chemotherapy to try to reduce the tumor but it didn’t work. The tumor has begun growing during the last month, so the doctor scheduled a surgery to remove it. I have a surgery scheduled for the next week. I'm already taking some hormone blocker to prepare me for the surgery. I'm very anxious about this whole issue and I'm very interested in side effects and complications that can happen after the surgery. I’d be grateful for any useful information. Thanks.

windley · Newbie Joined: 16 Apr 2005 Posts: 15

There are two ways in performing the thyroidectomy, the first one is called invasive thyreidectomy and the other is endoscopic thyroidectomy. The difference between those two is the size of the incision made during the surgery, in invasive method a big incision is made, and that method is usually used for removing the whole gland, endoscopic method is used when only a small part of the gland needs to be removed and the difference is that a few small incisions are made big enough to put the endoscope and other instruments into the working area. The complications of thyreidectomy are typical for any surgery, but there is less possibility of them occurring if non invasive method is used. If total thyreidectomy is performed there is a risk of removing so called parathyroid glands which are located on the rear side of the thyroid gland. Since they are small a surgeon may hurt them or remove them by accident and that can cause major functional disorders allover the body. Parathyroid glands produce a very important hormone called PTH (parathyroid hormone) whose main role in the organism is control of calcium methabolism. If the PTH is missing the level of Ca++ in the blood decreases causing uncontrolled muscular spasm and can lead to death. That is the most common complication of thyroidectomy, but if the trained and experienced surgeon is performing it there should be no problems.

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was wondering how the surgery went and what went on with that , i am sceduled for operation in the morining.kg

Mayo · Silver Member Joined: 03 Mar 2006 Posts: 325

Hello! My mother had thyroidectomy done a month ago. It was to remove cancer she was found. Besides removing the thyroid, they removed some lymph nodes from both sides of the neck as well.

After the surgery she was in a lot of pain and was taking painkillers, she had problems with her voice but they said that was a normal post op thing. Then she started having some strange muscle spasms in the feet and hands and had problems breathing and got us all worried. She was monitored for calcium, magnesium and phosphorus and was found to have low levels of calcium and had to take some supplements.

Again, they told us this was normal and transient and that only rarely a person ends up with permanent low calcium levels.

What I don’t like about the whole thing is her low mood but I guess that is due to hypothyroid. She is still saying how down she is and I have never heard her saying things like that. She is about to see a doc to check the thyroid levels and see if she needs dose adjustment.

Cara · Newbie Joined: 04 Jun 2006 Posts: 3

kac123 · Newbie Joined: 08 Jun 2006 Posts: 2

My wife had her thyroid completely removed a little over a year ago when it was discovered that she had cancer. I was just trying to determine how difficult it is to get pregnant and if she does get pregnant what possible compliccations are due to the lack of a thyroid.

Blaine · Newbie Joined: 27 Jun 2006 Posts: 1

my mother had surgery on the rest of her thyroid because of a possible goiter about a week ago, it was invasive surgery, shes still having trouble, she can eat scambled eggs and drink liguids, soups, she was able to drink a choc shake also, the goiter as they called it was cutting her airway 50%, after surgery the doc (general practitioner) told us it didn't look good, the goiter we'll call it, is growing into and not around which may suggest cancer, say goiter usally grow around, anyway shes having pain in the back of her neck on the left side, kinda right where the muscle goes into the upper part of the head, worried it might be something serious, they sent the mass to a place in california, and were in florida, anyone have any pains in the back of the neck after something like this???? much help appriciated jojotimes1@aol.com

Debo · Newbie Joined: 07 Jul 2006 Posts: 1

I am 52 years old and had my entire thyroid removed 7months ago. The post-opt radioactive iodine treatment was not fun. I was lethargic and my legs felt like lead weights. However, I resumed working soon after. Except for weight gain during that phase, I have felt fine ever since. The cancer scared the hell out of me and I have been vigilant with diet and exercise. I look better than ever and have 15 more lbs. left to my goal. People tell me I look better now than before the surgery. I did not have any hair loss although constipation was a problem. My moods are fine as is my marriage--best it's ever been. We are going to Paris for our 25th.
This does not have to wreck your life.

amybel · Newbie Joined: 29 Jan 2007 Posts: 1

I had a thyroidectomy 1 week ago for thyroid cancer. I feel okay but I've heard of people complaining of excessive weight gain and other bad side effects from surgery like mood swings and depression. I'm on thyroid pills and I hope that will help with these side effects. Can someone let me know if there was any good side effects from thyroid surgery and how to deal with the weight gain etc.

Possible thyroidectomy complications

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