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WHAT IS THYROID AND PARATHYROID SURGERY?
Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck. The thyroid produces hormones to regulate metabolism.
If you have been diagnosed with a thyroid condition, your provider may recommend removing part of the gland (thyroid lobectomy) or all of it (total thyroidectomy).
Surgery can treat your thyroid if it is: Cancerous, Enlarged (thyroid nodules or goiter), Symptomatic (e.g., choking, painful, hoarse), or Hyperfunctional (e.g., produces too much thyroid hormone).
WHY CHOOSE US?
When you need your thyroid or a parathyroid gland removed, count on the experienced thyroid and parathyroid surgeons at North Florida Surgeons. We specialize in treating all disorders of the thyroid and parathyroid glands, including thyroid cancer, nodules, goiter, and hyperparathyroidism. At North Florida Surgeons we perform operations on an outpatient basis for benign and malignant conditions of the thyroid. About half of thyroid patients, and 80 percent of parathyroid patients, receive outpatient care; our surgeons are experts in procedures that help people return home quickly.
CONDITIONS TREATED
THYROID NODULES/MASSES
• Visible or palpable mass in front (or side, if metastatic cancer) of neck • Pressure or discomfort in neck • Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) or a sensation of being "aware" of swallowing • Voice changes • Fullness of the neck
UNDERACTIVE THYROID (HYPOTHYROIDISM)
• Fatigue • Weight gain • Feeling cold • Skin and hair thickening • Decreased mental acuity (head in fog, not sharp)
OVERACTIVE THYROID (HYPERTHYROIDISM)
• Fatigue • Jittery/anxious/shaky • Tremors • Palpitations/heart fluttering or racing • Weight loss • Hot • Sweating • Hair loss • Increased bowel movements • Menstrual irregularities • Thyroid enlargement or masses (same as nodules/masses, above) • Bone loss or pain
PARATHYROID (HYPERPARATHYROIDISM)
• Bone pain, muscle pain, joint pain • Fatigue, feeling bad • Decreased mental acuity, forgetfulness/memory loss, head in fog, not sharp • Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting • Kidney stones, kidney disease • Bone weakness, bone loss, osteoporosis • Fracture • Psychosis/coma • Depression
DIAGNOSIS AND SURGERY
NEEDLE BIOPSY AND TESTS
Most thyroid nodules are checked with an ultrasound and a fine needle biopsy, done in the office with a thin needle. Blood tests check thyroid hormones and calcium. For parathyroid disease, blood tests show high calcium and parathyroid hormone, and an ultrasound or nuclear scan helps find the overactive gland before surgery.
THYROIDECTOMY
Our thyroidectomy surgeons remove half of the thyroid (lobectomy) or the whole gland (total thyroidectomy) through a small incision in a natural crease of the neck. The surgeon protects the nerves to the vocal cords and the parathyroid glands. For some thyroid cancers, nearby lymph nodes are also removed. After a total thyroidectomy you take a daily thyroid hormone pill.
PARATHYROIDECTOMY
Our parathyroid surgeons remove the overactive gland or glands, most often through a small neck incision as an outpatient procedure. Removing the abnormal gland is the only cure for primary hyperparathyroidism and parathyroid disease, and it can protect your bones and kidneys.
RECOVERY AND CALCIUM
Most patients go home the same day or the next morning and return to normal activities within 1 to 2 weeks. Because the parathyroid glands control the amount of calcium in your blood, some patients take calcium supplements for a short time after surgery. Your surgeon will tell you what symptoms to watch for, such as tingling around the mouth or in the fingers.
THYROID AND PARATHYROID SURGERY FAQS
When is thyroid surgery recommended?
Surgery may be recommended for thyroid cancer, for nodules or an enlarged thyroid that cause symptoms, or for an overactive thyroid. Your provider will explain why surgery is being suggested in your case.
What is the difference between a lobectomy and a total thyroidectomy?
A thyroid lobectomy removes part of the thyroid gland. A total thyroidectomy removes the whole gland. Which one is right depends on your condition. Learn more about thyroidectomy.
What is hyperparathyroidism?
It means one or more parathyroid glands make too much parathyroid hormone, which raises the calcium level in the blood. The cure is a parathyroidectomy. It can cause bone, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, kidney stones and bone loss.
Is thyroid or parathyroid surgery an outpatient procedure?
Often. About half of our thyroid patients and about 80 percent of our parathyroid patients have outpatient surgery and go home the same day.
What should I expect after surgery?
Read our guides to thyroid surgery recovery and low calcium after parathyroidectomy.
Which surgeon performs thyroid and parathyroid surgery?
See Dr. Courtland Polley, or meet all our surgeons.
How do I schedule a consultation in Jacksonville?
Call (904) 398-0033 or use the contact form. Our office is at 836 Prudential Dr., Suite 1001, Jacksonville, FL 32207.
Is this surgery covered by insurance?
Coverage depends on your plan and your diagnosis. See the insurance plans we accept or call our office and we will help you check.