Hyperthyroidism Slideshow Pictures Take the Thyroid Disorder Quiz Thyroid Symptoms and Solutions Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

Stephanie L Lee, MD, PhD, FACE

Coauthor:

Sonia Ananthakrishnan, MD

Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Surgical Interventions

For the patient with an overactive nodule(s) of a toxic adenoma or toxic multinodular goiter:

• Removal of part of thyroid gland containing overactive nodule. The entire thyroid may be removed if there are multiple, bilateral overactive nodules or if the goiter is enlarged.

For the patient with generalized overactive thyroid gland of Graves' disease:

• Removal of entire thyroid gland.

Risks of thyroid surgery

• Most patients will remain euthyroid (having normal thyroid function) after thyroid lobectomy.
• Patients will become hypothyroid after total thyroidectomy and require thyroid hormone replacement therapy
• There is a small risk of recurrent hyperthyroidism if a large amount of remaining thyroid gland is left after the surgery.
• There is a small risk of damage to structures near the thyroid, including the nerve to the voice box, and the glands that regulate calcium levels in the blood.