Thyroidectomy. Total and Subtotal. 11 Reasons to avoid Thyroidectomy
One of treating options for Graves’ Disease and Hyperthyroidism offered by doctors today is thyroidectomy- total or partial. Even though I am totally against this method of treatment it is well known and recommended in Europe and much less in the USA.
Thyroidectomy is actually a surgery where the entire thyroid gland is removed. From that point ahead the thyroid gland no longer can produce any thyroid hormone. This is not an attempt to heal the thyroid gland, or find the reasons for that condition. In fact, you’ll be cutting this beautiful butterfly on the left into pieces (the picture is a gift from one of my clients).
However doctors believe that by that invasive procedure the problem will be completely resolved, no matter that it creates many other irreversible problems for a life time- one of them is that you’ll be on thyroid medication for the rest of your life, to substitute the hormones which the thyroid gland should be producing, but it is not, because you don’t have a thyroid gland any more!
When the entire thyroid is removed it is called a total thyroidectomy. When 1/2 or even 1/4 of the thyroid gland is removed (such as in removal of a lobe) it is referred as a partial thyroidectomy. In short:
Total thyroidectomy: surgery to remove the entire thyroid gland.
Partial thyroidectomy: surgery that removes only part of the thyroid gland (usually one of the lobes)
Near-total thyroidectomy: removal of nearly all of each thyroid lobe, leaving only a small portion of the thyroid gland, to produce some thyroid hormone.
The surgical removal of the thyroid gland, called thyroidectomy, is the oldest known treatment option. Surgery is also an option for people who have a very large goiter, and those who are allergic to, or who develop severe side effects from, the drugs used to treat hyperthyroidism.
Hypothyroidism often occurs after the thyroidectomy, and people then have to take replacement thyroid hormone for the rest of their lives. Some complications of the partial or complete (full) thyroidectomy include paralysis of the vocal cords and damage to the parathyroid glands (the tiny glands behind the thyroid gland that control calcium levels in the blood).
Hyperthyroidism is considered permanently controlled in more than 90% of those who choose this option. Of course- how could it be different- you don’t have a thyroid any more, but then you’ll have other health problems. I personally think that is is some form of speculation because Hypothyroidism often occurs after surgery, especially total thyroidectomy, and people then have to take replacement thyroid hormone for the rest of their lives.
A lot of people ask me if they should go for Subtotal Thyroidectomy/ Total Thyroidectomy to resolve their hyperthyroidism issues (or not), what are the pros and cons of that surgery.
Well, it depends, especially if you have a goiter. I personally do not recommend that procedure and in this article I would like to explain my own reasons, but again, this is totally up to you and your doctor. If often comes to answer the question: Do you prefer hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism? Because if you decide to go after this option you’ll be on medication till the rest of your life! You seriously want to do that?
Some complications of the partial or complete (full) thyroidectomy include paralysis of the vocal cords and damage to the parathyroid glands (the tiny glands behind the thyroid gland that control calcium levels in the blood).
Here are 11 very good reasons to avoid thyroidectomy
1. Damage of the parathyroid glands that control the calcium level
2. Paralysis of the vocal cords
3. Recurrent laryngeal nerve damage
4. Hypo-parathyroidism
5. Medication for the rest of your life due to hypothyroidism
6. Hypocalcemia
7. Post-operative bleeding
8. Wound infection
9. Keloid formation
10. Visible scar on your neck
11. It is permanent
I personally would consider some other options before I make this permanent decision- because it is forever. You should do your own research before opting in for such serious intervention and consult at least 2-3 endocrinologist. For alternative methods how to treat Graves’ Disease check: Alternative Treatments for Hyperthyroidism.
