Airway obstruction caused by bleeding. Permanent hoarse or weak voice due to nerve damage. If you have hyperthyroidism, your doctor may prescribe medication — such as an iodine and potassium solution — to control your thyroid function and lower the bleeding risk after surgery.
How can we improve voice outcomes after thyroid surgery?
May 07, 2006 · I would also give yourself AT LEAST a week and a half before lightly testing your range to avoid discouragement because it will be hard to talk let alone sing directly after the surgery. You might end up just straining yourself if you try to sing too soon. Everyone heals differently, after all. Hope this helps :) Reply Husky15100 over a year ago
Is it normal to lose your voice after thyroidectomy?
General Surgery 33 years experience. When 2 get evaluated: Voice changes after thyroidectomy can occur, it is usually temporary. The nerve that controls the voice is close to the site of your surgery. Get an e... Read More. 2.9k views Reviewed >2 years ago. Thank. Dr. Alan Ali agrees. 1 …
Do I need voice therapy after neck surgery?
Mar 20, 2018 · Another, less common complication, is that of damage to the recurrent laryngeal nerve during your operation (7). This complication arises in about 1.5 to 14% of all thyroidectomy surgeries (8) (depending on the study you look at). Injury to this nerve may cause a weakened voice or a hoarseness to the voice.
How can I relieve throat pain after thyroid surgery?
Oct 31, 2019 · The solution is to use COMBINATION thyroid medicationswhich contain the active thyroid hormone T3 in addition to the inactive thyroid hormone T4. You can do this by taking two separate medications or by taking one which contains both (such as Armour thyroid). Either way, you will probably feel much better once you get them both in your system. #3.
How can I get my voice back after thyroid surgery?
Based on the problems experienced when first referred for voice therapy, a set of exercises are provided with the aim of compensating for the deficit induced by the nerve injury. Such exercises might include head-neck-shoulders relaxation, abdominal breathing, appropriate tone focus, lip and tongue trills.Jun 12, 2020
How long does it take for voice to return after thyroidectomy?
Temporary hoarseness, voice tiring, and weakness can occur when one or more of the nerves are irritated during the operation or because of inflammation that occurs after the surgery. This usually gets better within a few weeks, but can take up to 6 months to resolve.
How do I get my voice back after surgery?
Things to rememberUse an easy, natural voice.No phone use until three weeks after surgery.Always avoid extremes such as yelling, singing, throat clearing, talking for a long period of time without a break. ... If you experience any pain, fatigue, hoarseness, call your physician or speech pathologist.More items...
Is hoarseness normal after thyroidectomy?
Conclusions: Hoarseness is a relatively common complication of thyroidectomy, which can be attributed to many factors including surgeon's error or injuries during intubation as well as to other non-surgical causes.
Is it okay to talk after thyroidectomy?
Your voice probably will be hoarse, and you may have trouble talking. For most people, these problems get better within 3 to 4 months, but it can take as long as a year. In some cases, this surgery causes permanent problems with chewing, speaking, or swallowing.
How common is vocal cord paralysis after thyroidectomy?
Vocal cord paralysis due to injury to recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) is the most dreaded complication of total thyroidectomy. The reported incidence of temporary RLN injury (RLNI) varies between 0 and 12 %, while the incidence of permanent RLNI has been reported to be much lower (0-3.5 %).
What is the fastest way to get rid of a hoarse voice?
Home Remedies: Helping a hoarse voiceBreathe moist air. ... Rest your voice as much as possible. ... Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration (avoid alcohol and caffeine).Moisten your throat. ... Stop drinking alcohol and smoking, and avoid exposure to smoke. ... Avoid clearing your throat. ... Avoid decongestants. ... Avoid whispering.Dec 2, 2016
Why is my voice raspy after surgery?
In common most surgeries that cause hoarseness are performed under general anesthesia, in which a breathing tube is left in the throat during the duration of the surgery. An endotracheal tube (purple) is a breathing tube placed in the mouth through the vocal folds into the trachea.
How long does it take to get your voice back after surgery?
Around 4-6 weeks after surgery, when your incision is feeling firm (part of normal tissue healing), the muscles and other tissues around your larynx will often tighten and make your voice feel constrained during that time period. Most people regain their normal vocal function without any extra effort or thought.Feb 26, 2014
Can hoarseness be permanent?
"Most of the time, hoarseness is acute and lasts only a few days. However, it can last longer," explains Dr. Apurva Thekdi, ENT doctor specializing in laryngology at Houston Methodist. "It's considered chronic when it persists for two weeks or more.Jun 10, 2021
Can thyroidectomy cause voice problems?
Patients who have undergone thyroidectomy often complain of changes in voice function (dysphonia) and swallow function (dysphagia) (1). Although causes of dysphonia and dysphagia may vary, one of the most common causes is recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis which can lead to vocal fold paralysis (2,3).Jun 6, 2017
How do you know if you damaged your vocal cords?
Changes in your voice are one of the main signs that a vocal cord lesion has developed. These changes may include hoarseness, breathiness, hearing multiple tones, a loss of vocal range, vocal fatigue (feeling tired after talking), a low or deep voice, or a complete loss of voice.Aug 5, 2019
How to help a sore throat after thyroid surgery?
Thyroid surgery is often done under general anesthesia with a breathing tube placed in the windpipe to breathe for you. This can lead to a sore throat and the sensation of a lump (like something is stuck in your throat) with swallowing. Using a throat spray or lozenges can help with the discomfort until you are healed.
What to expect before thyroid surgery?
Knowing what to expect before your thyroid surgery is helpful for coping with potential side effects, reducing complications, and undergoing an easier recovery process. As with any surgery, it's normal to have questions, concerns, and maybe even feel a little bit of anxiety going into it. Discuss what's on your mind with your doctor.
What are the risks of thyroid surgery?
While complications can affect anyone, there are some risk factors that increase the chance of the adverse effects. 9 These include: 1 Being older than age 70 2 Smoking 3 The presence of other medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure or a bleeding disorder 4 Thyroid cancer, especially when a central neck dissection is done to remove lymph nodes 5 Repeat thyroid surgery
What is a thyroid storm?
Thyroid storm or thyrotoxic crisis is a condition caused by very high levels of circulating thyroid hormone. It is uncommon, but when it occurs after thyroidectomy, is usually associated with Grave's disease. Symptoms include a fever (over 102 degrees F in most people), profuse sweating, a rapid heart rate, and sometimes delirium. 8
How long after thyroid surgery do you have to go back to the doctor?
Generally speaking, you will usually need to return to the surgeon for a follow-up visit around one to two weeks after surgery. In the meantime, be sure to contact your thyroid care team if you have any questions regarding your recovery process.
What are the symptoms of a stridor?
Symptoms may include an area of firmness and swelling on the front or side of the neck (usually beneath the incision), neck pain, and symptoms of airway obstruction such as shortness of breath, lightheadedness, or stridor (a high-pitched wheezing sound that's usually most noticeable with inspiration than exhalation).
How to reduce neck pain after surgery?
Using pain medication after surgery may reduce discomfort, making it easier for you to keep moving your neck so that you have less stiffness later on. Applying a warm compress may also help. Many surgeons recommend doing gentle stretching and range-of-motion exercises , such as the following, to reduce stiffness.
Why do I get hoarse when I breathe?
Hoarseness can occur from irritation caused by the endotracheal tube placed between you vocal cords into your wind pipe to breath for you while under ... Read More. Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers — it's anonymous and free! Doctors typically provide answers within 24 hours.
Can you change your voice after thyroidectomy?
When 2 get evaluated: Voice changes after thyroidectomy can occur, it is usually temporary. The nerve that controls the voice is close to the site of your surgery. Get an e ... Read More
Why do I need a thyroidectomy?
Thyroid cancer. Cancer is the most common reason for thyroidectomy. If you have thyroid cancer, removing most, if not all, of your thyroid will likely be a treatment option. Noncancerous enlargement of the thyroid (goiter). Removing all or part of your thyroid gland is an option if you have a large goiter that is uncomfortable or causes difficulty ...
What is the surgical removal of the thyroid gland?
Thyroidectomy is the surgical removal of all or part of your thyroid gland. Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck. It produces hormones that control every aspect of your metabolism, from your heart rate to how quickly you burn calories. Thyroidectomy is used to treat thyroid disorders, such as cancer, ...
How long does it take to remove a thyroid gland?
Thyroidectomy usually takes one to two hours.
What is the best medicine for hyperthyroidism?
If you have hyperthyroidism, your doctor may prescribe medication — such as an iodine and potassium solution — to control your thyroid function and lower the bleeding risk after surgery.
Can thyroid nodules be cancerous?
Some thyroid nodules can't be identified as cancerous or noncancerous after testing a sample from a needle biopsy. Doctors may recommend that people with these nodules have thyroidectomy if the nodules have an increased risk of being cancerous.
Is thyroidectomy safe?
Thyroidectomy is generally a safe procedure. But as with any surgery, thyroidectomy carries a risk of complications. Potential complications include: Bleeding. Infection. Low parathyroid hormone levels (hypoparathyroidism) caused by surgical damage or removal of the parathyroid glands.
Can you be conscious during a thyroidectomy?
Before the procedure. Surgeons typically perform thyroidectomy during general anesthesia, so you won't be conscious during the procedure. The anesthesiologist or anesthetist gives you an anesthetic medication as a gas — to breathe through a mask — or injects a liquid medication into a vein.
What is thyroidectomy?
Thyroidectomy refers to the surgical procedure in which your thyroid is removed. While the surgical portion of the procedure is usually fairly easy, the aftermath as it relates to your serum thyroid levels may be a different story entirely. Learn more about Thyroidectomy in this guide, including the basics of the procedure, ...
What are the side effects of thyroidectomy?
Because of this, it's not uncommon for patients, post-thyroidectomy, to experience side effects such as weight gain (on average 10-20 pounds), depression, hair loss and so on (4).
How long does it take to recover from thyroid surgery?
In terms of surgical recovery, most patients recover very quickly. Patients are usually back at work within 2 weeks and pain from the operation is usually gone within 2-3 months. This surgical recovery is usually not an issue when compared to the thyroid hormone effects of the procedure, which tend to be long-lasting.
Can thyroidectomy cause weight gain?
Studies are clear that patients who undergo a thyroidectomy often gain around 15 pounds on average after the procedure (5) .
Can parathyroidism cause low calcium?
The removal of your parathyroid glands may cause chronically low calcium and/or high phosphorus levels in your serum after your procedure. Most patients who experience this issue will be placed on calcium tablets or pills and will need close monitoring of their calcium levels with each routine blood test.
Is thyroidectomy a routine procedure?
One of the major issues with getting a thyroidectomy is that it is treated as a routine procedure similar to getting your appendix removed. From a surgical standpoint, this is definitely true (1). But from a hormonal standpoint, this couldn't be farther from the truth.
What happens if you don't have enough thyroid?
If you don't have enough then you will go into a coma and die. So that means once your thyroid has been removed you must take medication forever to keep your levels up. Most people without a thyroid are aware of this but some people were never told or didn't realize this.
What is the active ingredient in T4?
The medication that your doctor will use will either be Synthroid or levothyroxine. Both of these medications contain the same active ingredient which is known as T4 or thyroxine. But what you probably don't know is that T4 is NOT active in your body.
Where is iodine stored?
While it is true that MOST of the iodine is stored in your thyroid gland there are still plenty of other tissues that REQUIRE iodine for proper function. Skin tissue and breast tissue immediately come to mind. And because humans can't create iodine they MUST consume it (either through iodine supplements or from food).
Can you take T3 and T4 together?
The solution is to use COMBINATION thyroid medications which contain the active thyroid hormone T3 in addition to the inactive thyroid hormone T4. You can do this by taking two separate medications or by taking one which contains both (such as Armour thyroid ).
Can you take thyroid supplements if you don't have thyroid?
So even if you DON'T have a thyroid you can STILL benefit from using thyroid support supplements! It doesn't matter that your thyroid has been removed because you are STILL receiving thyroid hormone (otherwise you would be dead).
Can you take T4 without thyroid?
Another important point, which will fly in the face of the information that your endocrinologist gives you, is that T4 thyroid medication is NOT enough for patients without a thyroid.
What to do if your voice is hoarse?
If you continue to have problems with a hoarse or weak voice, you may require voice therapy. Through individualized exercises, a trained voice therapist can assist you in developing coping strategies to achieve a more normal-sounding voice.
What is thyroid surgery?
Thyroid. Image Credit: Boris Kaulin/iStock/Getty Images. Thyroid surgery may consist of a biopsy or lumpectomy, in which only a small portion of the gland is removed, or a lobectomy, in which half of the gland is taken out. More complete removal of thyroid tissue is called a thyroidectomy.
How long after anesthesia can you walk?
You should avoid any physically taxing work or exercise until after you see your doctor at your post-operative appointment, usually scheduled for seven to 10 days after your operation. At this time he will evaluate the progress of your healing and you can ask him if any modifications are necessary as you return to your favorite kinds of exercise.
Can you recover from thyroid surgery?
Doctors may recommend thyroid surgery for a number of reasons, including a suspicious nodule, cancer or a benign nodule or goiter that is causing symptoms. Recovery from thyroid surgery is generally quick, and you will be able to return to all your normal activities and exercise routines following your recovery.
Can thyroid surgery cause neck pain?
Thyroid surgery necessitates that you have your neck extended, or bent backwards, for the duration of the operation. This may result in a muscle spasm leading to neck pain and tension following surgery, particularly in those individuals with pre-existing neck problems.
Can you use sunscreen after neck surgery?
The incision on your neck will heal quickly and eventually become hardly noticeable. New scar tissue is vulnerable to the ultraviolet rays of the sun, however. Especially for the year after surgery, you should protect your scar from the sun to achieve the best appearance. Once your incision has healed, use a sunscreen with a high SPF on your neck whenever you are participating in exercises that require you to be outdoors, such as swimming, bicycling or hiking.
Who is Gwen Bruno?
Gwen Bruno has been a full-time freelance writer since 2009, with her gardening-related articles appearing on DavesGarden. She is a former teacher and librarian, and she holds a bachelor's degree in education from Augustana College and master's degrees in education and library science from North Park University and the University of Wisconsin.
Side Effects
Complications
Risk Factors
Recovery
Follow-Up
- Though thyroid surgery is considered a relatively safe procedure, complications may sometimes occur. Some of these require prompt treatment, so it's important to be aware of them.
Summary
- While complications can affect anyone, there are some risk factors that increase the chance of the adverse effects.4These include: 1. Being older than age 65 2. Smoking 3. The presence of other medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure or a bleeding disorder 4. Thyroid cancer, especially when a central neck dissection is done to remove lymph nodes 5. Repeat thyr…
A Word from Verywell
- After surgery, you will be monitored in the recovery room, sometimes for up to six hours. During this time, the staff will monitor you closely for any signs of neck swelling that could indicate a neck hematoma. You may remain in the hospital overnight or be allowed to return home if you had outpatient surgery and are stable. The head of your bed will be raised to reduce swelling, and yo…
Overview
- Generally speaking, you will usually need to return to the surgeon for a follow-up visit around one to two weeks after surgery. In the meantime, be sure to contact your thyroid-care team if you have any questions regarding your recovery process. At your follow-up appointment, your surgeon will determine if you need to remain on calcium and vitamin D. If you were started on hormone repla…
Why It's Done
- Side effects of thyroid surgery are common and include neck pain, a sore throat, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, and temporary hypoparathyroidism that usually resoles within a few weeks. Complications are much less common and can include neck bleeding, permanent hypoparathyroidism that requires ongoing calcium replacement, and damage to nerves that can …
Risks
- Knowing what to expect before your thyroid surgery is helpful for coping with potential side effects, reducing complications, and undergoing an easier recovery process. As with any surgery, it's normal to have questions, concerns, and maybe even feel a little bit of anxiety going into it. Discuss what's on your mind with your healthcare provider. Keep in mind that even when compli…
How You Prepare
What You Can Expect
- Your doctor may recommend a thyroidectomy if you have conditions such as: 1. Thyroid cancer.Cancer is the most common reason for thyroidectomy. If you have thyroid cancer, removing most, if not all, of your thyroid will likely be a treatment option. 2. Noncancerous enlargement of the thyroid (goiter).Removing all or part of your thyroid gland is an option if you h…