|  | Surgeries Operations | Surgeries

Reasons for Having Thyroid Glands Removed

The thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland in the neck, is responsible for producing hormones that regulate the metabolism. Disorders or cancer may necessitate its partial or complete removal. This surgery is called a thyroidectomy.

  1. Partial Thyroidectomy

    • Removal of only part of the thyroid is called a partial thyroidectomy; in some cases, the gland will function normally afterward.

    Complete Thyroidectomy

    • Complete removal of the thyroid requires that the patient take synthetic thyroid hormone for the rest of his life, since his body is no longer able to produce it.

    Thyroid Cancer

    • Cancer of the thyroid is the most common reason for a thyroidectomy. After surgery, patients must often undergo treatment with radioactive iodine to destroy any remaining cancer cells.

    Non-Cancerous Enlargement

    • A non-cancerous thyroid enlargement is called a goiter. It may need to be removed because the patient has difficulty in swallowing or breathing because the gland is pressing on the windpipe. A goiter may also be causing the patient to become hypothyroid.

    Overactive Thyroid

    • An overactive thyroid gland causes hyperthyroidism. In this condition, the thyroid is producing too much of the hormone thyroxine. These patients may be treated with anti-thyroid drugs or radioactive iodine, but surgery is also an option.

Surgeries - Related Articles