Removal of the thyroid gland is usually due to two reasons: suspicion of a malignant tumor or suspicion that nodules present in the thyroid gland may become malignant, or a thyroid goiter oppressing the trachea and making breathing difficult. After surgery to remove the thyroid gland, you can live a normal life, you just need to remember a few things.
Ifremoval of the thyroid glandwas necessary due to neoplastic changes, further oncological control will be required. In iodine-absorbing cancers, patients are given high doses of radioiodine to destroy any remaining thyroid tissue. They must also take thyroxine in a dose of 150-250 μg.
The dose of the drug must be adjusted so that the level of thyroxine is in the upper limit of the normal range and the concentration of TSH drops below 0.1 mU / l. Hormonal tests, whole body scintigraphy and chest X-ray are also recommended.
Tests and checks after thyroidectomy
If the reason for the removal of the thyroid gland was different from the neoplastic disease, the endocrinologist should be checked every six months and the tests recommended by him should be performed. Removal of the entire organ always causes hypothyroidism, so you need to take thyroid hormones in the form of tablets for the rest of your life.
In order to assess the state of he alth, the blood hormone concentration is analyzed. If only part of the thyroid gland has been cut out, the thyroid hormone levels may be normal and you don't need to take thyroid hormone.
The second important test is the determination of the level of calcitonin, the thyroid hormone that plays an important role in the regulation of calcium-phosphate metabolism, mainly affecting bone metabolism. It is produced by the parathyroid glands, tiny glands like peppercorns just behind the thyroid gland that can be damaged during surgery.
After the surgery, the function of the parathyroid glands is temporarily disturbed and then you need to take calcium along with vitamin D. With permanent damage to the parathyroid glands to protect against osteoporosis, such therapy is needed for the rest of your life.
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About the author
Anna Jarosz A journalist who has been involved in popularizing he alth education for over 40 years. Winner of many competitions for journalists dealing with medicine and he alth. She received, among others The "Golden OTIS" Trust Award in the "Media and He alth" category, St. Kamil awarded on the occasion of the World Day of the Sick,twice "Crystal Pen" in a nationwide competition for journalists promoting he alth and many awards and distinctions in competitions for the "Medical Journalist of the Year" organized by the Polish Association of Journalists for He alth.