Common "Total Thyroidectomy" queries answered by top doctors | iCliniq

Total Thyroidectomy

Total thyroidectomy is a procedure involving the entire removal of the thyroid gland. It takes around three to four hours to perform it. First, a small incision is made in the front of the neck to remove the thyroid gland by visualizing other structures around the thyroid gland. After doing this surgery, thyroid hormone replacement has to be taken for a lifetime. It is done in case of thyroid cancer, a noncancerous enlargement of the thyroid, overactive thyroid, and indeterminate thyroid nodules.

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All the answers published in this website are written by verified medical doctors, therapists and health experts. The Content has been moderated by iCliniq medical review team before publication. Post your medical clarifications on iCliniq by choosing the right specialty and get them answered. Your medical queries will be answered 24/7 by top doctors from iCliniq.

Why do I have muscle cramps after total thyroidectomy?

Query: Hello doctor, I had a total thyroidectomy three months ago. I have been on 100 mcg of Levothyroxine since day one. I always feel cold, my body hair sheds more than normal, muscle cramps occur fairly easily, and low energy levels. I have had Graves disease in the past. My most recent blood work showe...  Read Full »


Dr. Shaikh Sadaf

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I just read your query, and from what you have mentioned, you have a well-controlled thyroid function test. Considering the hair fall and muscle cramps, I suggest you have your vitamin D level tested. I suggest you take the tablet Neurobion Forte (multivitamin) twice...  Read Full »

I am 56 years old, underwent total thyroidectomy, and am on Levothyroxine 150 mg. My blood pressure is fluctuating. Why?

Query: Hello doctor, I am a 56-year-old female. I am 30 lbs overweight. I had a total thyroidectomy two years ago and I take levothyroxine 150 mg daily. Other than that I am healthy, active, and jog three miles three times a week. For the past two weeks, I have been off. I have felt severe headaches, dizzi...  Read Full »


Dr. Muhammad Zohaib Siddiq

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com I read your query and understand your concern. Blood pressure is a dynamic entity that keeps on changing from time to time and from activity to activity. It rises when we are stressed or were unable to sleep adequately last night. In such conditions, routine antihyperte...  Read Full »

Can Levothyroxine interferes with my pregnancy?

Query: Hi doctor, I am actually afraid of the side effect of the medicine that I take the whole time during my lifespan. I weigh 54 kg, and my BP and sugar are normal. Two years ago, I had a nodule in the left lobe of the thyroid gland. After FNAC, it was suspicious follicular adenoma. My doctor did a tota...  Read Full »


Dr. Uzma Arqam

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I thoroughly read your query and understand your concern. It is nice to have self-concern but be positive. Do not be anxious. Follow all precautions, necessary advice, and treatment, whatever is suggested by your doctor. It is better to have strict control over your thyro...  Read Full »

I have Hashimoto's disease. Can I manage it without surgery?

Query: Hello, I am a 26-year-old female with hypothyroidism and was recently recommended a total thyroidectomy by my doctor, and I am not sure if it is the best decision. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism at the of age 12 (autoimmune Hashimoto's) and have been taking Euthyrox (Levothyroxine) daily. I sta...  Read Full »


Dr. Shaikh Sadaf

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I know it is a difficult decision for you to take but it is in your best interests as the cells show distinguishable micro follicle residues with oncocytic epithelia, which means they have malignant potential before it gets out of control and goes undetected and spre...  Read Full »

Is total thyroidectomy safe? Please help.

Query: Hello doctor, My wife underwent a hemithyroidectomy four weeks ago. The pathology report stated that she has follicular cancer, encapsulated with angioinvasion. Now her left vocal cord is paralyzed. How common is vocal cord paralysis four weeks after surgery? Can she undergo total thyroidectomy even...  Read Full »


Dr. Thiyagarajan. T

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Did the pathology report state how many vessels are involved? What is the size of the tumor? More than 50 % will resolve within six months. Please consult an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) surgeon. Yes, she can undergo total thyroidectomy even after vocal cord paralysis. ...  Read Full »

Can I do a complete thyroidectomy for multinodular goiter?

Query: Hi doctor, I have a 2 inch cold nodule, multinodular toxic goiter, which is not cancerous. However, it has been suggested to have a complete thyroidectomy because the cold nodule will not take up radioactive iodine treatment. I am somewhat nervous about having my entire thyroid removed. What is your...  Read Full »


Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Hassan Shoukat

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I would strongly advise going for a complete thyroidectomy instead of a radioactive one. As you already know, radioactive iodine will not be taken up by different nodules evenly due to different activities. It will create a mess, partially destroying the thyroid, and th...  Read Full »

Is radiation therapy needed after thyroid cancer surgery?

Query: Hello doctor,My aunt was diagnosed with stage-2 thyroid papillary carcinoma. Since it started to spread to the lymph nodes, the doctor suggested a thyroidectomy. Last week she underwent surgery. Now when she went for a follow-up, they recommended radiation therapy. Before the surgery, they said that...  Read Full »


Dr. Arshad Hussain Shah

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern. First, I want to tell you that this type of thyroid cancer has an excellent prognosis. At this stage, the cure rate is more than 90 %. If the surgery has been done successfully and the whole tumor, including lymph nodes, is removed, it is g...  Read Full »

Is thyroidectomy recommended for inconclusive thyroid cancer?

Query: Hi doctor, A year ago, I got a biopsy for two nodules in thyroid. The result for one was benign and the other inconclusive. This year I went back to a different doctor to redo my indeterminate biopsy. She advised me do for both again, because through ultrasound they look angry or vicious. In my righ...  Read Full »


Dr. Sadaf Mustafa

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. In this situation the most important fact would be to know whether there is a family history of thyroid cancer and which type. Not all thyroid cancers are the same; some are more aggressive that the others. Sorry, I was still trying to understand if the nodules are in...  Read Full »

How is papillary thyroid carcinoma treated?

Query: Hello doctor, My mom has thyroid papillary carcinoma. Five months back she got a surgery in both sides of her thyroid gland. What is the best treatment for this? Please guide.  Read Full »


Dr. Srivastava, Sumit

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Sorry to hear about your mother's state. The protocol of treatment of papillary carcinoma of thyroid is total thyroidectomy followed by therapeutic radioactive Iodine therapy. Radioactive Iodine is given to detect and eradicate any residual tumor left after surgery. Res...  Read Full »

Why do I feel tired, have insomnia, and weight gain after getting thyroid glands removed?

Query: Hello doctor, I had both my thyroid glands removed eight years ago, and a small amount was left (in the size of half of my small nail). Since then, I am getting my blood test done every year, which comes back normal. I do not understand this as everybody needs two thyroid glands to work properly, an...  Read Full »


Dr. Divakara. P

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. It is not the size of the thyroid gland, but it is the function that matters. In most of the thyroid gland removal, the left over gland will start hyper functioning and hence will take over the body function. So, if your blood work is normal means that a small part...  Read Full »

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