How Is Thyroid Surgery Performed?

Thyroid surgery is performed under general anesthesia. A small incision is made in the neck to gain access to the thyroid gland. Our thyroid surgeon will surgically remove the entire thyroid gland (known as a full thyroidectomy). Thyroid removal surgery can typically be completed within 2 ½ to 3 hours.

What Are Some Common Thyroid Disorders?

The most common thyroid disorder is hypothyroidism, which occurs when your thyroid does not make enough of the thyroxine hormone. Another common thyroid condition is hyperthyroidism, which is caused by too much thyroxine being produced. These conditions may be caused by many factors, including genetics and lifestyle decisions. Autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto’s disease and Graves’ disease can also cause thyroid disorders. Physical growths or masses also contribute to thyroid dysfunction. Thyroid nodules are lumps that develop inside the thyroid gland, while a multinodular goiter refers to an enlarged thyroid with multiple nodules present. These nodules can be either cancerous or benign. Though many thyroid nodules are small, larger growths can compress local structures, leading to difficulty swallowing or speaking.

What Can I Expect Following My Thyroid Surgery In NYC?

Thyroid removal patients typically require 1-2 weeks off work to recover. Since it may be difficult to swallow at first, a liquid diet may be recommended in the initial days of your recovery. Pain medication will be prescribed to alleviate any discomfort. Vigorous exercise should be avoided until permitted by our endocrine surgeon. Thyroid surgery patients may be given a calcium course to avoid hypocalcemia (low calcium levels in the blood).

What Is The Thyroid Gland?

Your thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck. The thyroid produces 2 hormones – thyroxine (known as T4) and triiodothyronine (known as T3) – that regulate your metabolism. These hormones are secreted into the bloodstream and help maintain proper muscle control, digestion, brain function, and more. In some cases, the thyroid may produce too much or too little of these hormones, leading to an overactive or underactive thyroid. Producing abnormal levels of thyroxine or triiodothyronine can lead to pronounced symptoms, including weight fluctuations, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and more.

What Thyroid Treatments Are Available To Treat My Thyroid Disorder?

Both surgical and non-invasive treatment options are available to address thyroid conditions. Thyroid surgery in NYC can remove the thyroid to treat hyperthyroidism, while thyroid cancer surgery can remove cancerous tissue of the thyroid to stop the spread of cancer to other parts of the body. Radioactive iodine is a non-surgical thyroid treatment to address hyperthyroidism or thyroid cancer using oral pills. Thyroid medication can also be prescribed to treat an overactive or underactive thyroid.

Which Type Of Thyroid Treatment Is Right For Me?

Your ideal thyroid treatment will depend on numerous factors, including your specific thyroid condition, genetics, age, overall health, and more. Some patients may benefit from thyroid surgery, while others may require medication. Dr. Edward Shin specializes in thyroid surgery in NYC and can discuss all of your available thyroid surgery options with you during your consultation at New York Sinus & Thyroid Surgery Center. If it is determined that you are better suited for thyroid medications, Dr. Shin can refer you to an endocrinologist for treatment.

Thyroid Surgery NYC | Thyroid Surgeon New York

Thyroid surgery in NYC can treat underlying thyroid conditions that cause hormonal imbalances and unpleasant symptoms. Your thyroid acts as a control center for your body’s hormones. A healthy thyroid helps maintain many of your day-to-day functions, including your muscle control and temperature regulation. Thyroid disorders can prevent the thyroid gland from properly balancing hormone levels.

Patients with thyroid conditions often feel weak or tired and may also suffer from joint pain, muscle aches, poor appetite, and weight gain. Thyroid disorders require a professional evaluation to properly diagnose and treat these diseases. At New York Sinus & Thyroid Surgery Center, Dr. Edward Shin offers thyroid surgery to treat your thyroid condition.

Thyroid Surgery In NYC

Thyroid surgery is a form of endocrine surgery that can remove portions of the thyroid (or the entirety of the thyroid) to treat the effects of hyperthyroidism. An overactive thyroid may not respond to non-surgical treatments like antithyroid medications and radioactive iodine. In these cases, undergoing thyroid surgery in NYC can remove the thyroid to reduce symptoms. Thyroid medication can be taken on a consistent basis following thyroid surgery to maintain proper hormone levels.

THYROID SURGERY
TREATS HYPERTHYROIDISM
CAN REMOVE LARGE THYROID NODULES, MULTINODULAR GOITERS, OR OVERACTIVE THYROIDS
COMPLETE REMOVAL OF THE THYROID IS USUALLY PERFORMED
THYROID MEDICATION MAY BE REQUIRED FOLLOWING THYROID SURGERY

Thyroid Cancer Surgery

If suspicious growths or lumps are detected in the thyroid, then thyroid cancer surgery may be recommended. There are various types of thyroid cancer, including papillary, follicular, medullary, anaplastic, and more. Our thyroid surgeon can remove the cancerous tissue from the thyroid, as well as any affected lymph nodes. Continued monitoring and medication are necessary following your thyroid cancer surgery. Learn more about thyroid cancer by clicking here.

THYROID CANCER SURGERY
REMOVES CANCEROUS GROWTHS FROM THE THYROID
CAN TREAT PAPILLARY, FOLLICULAR, MEDULLARY, & ANAPLASTIC CANCERS, AMONG OTHERS
CANCEROUS CELLS ARE SURGICALLY EXCISED UNTIL NO CANCER IS PRESENT
TYPICALLY, THE ENTIRE THYROID IS REMOVED

Radioactive Iodine

Radioactive iodine (also known as radioiodine or RAI) is a non-invasive treatment to shrink the thyroid and, in some cases, treat thyroid cancer. Radioiodine is taken orally as a pill or liquid dosage. The iodine is absorbed by the body and travels to the thyroid, where it is picked up by the thyroid cells. The iodine then destroys the thyroid cells, shrinking the thyroid gland. Radioactive iodine is one of the most common treatments for hyperthyroidism.

RADIOACTIVE IODINE
TREATS HYPERTHYROIDISM & THYROID CANCER
TAKEN ORALLY (AS A PILL OR LIQUID DOSAGE)
CONTAINS RADIOIODINE THAT TRAVELS TO THYROID CELLS
THYROID CELLS ABSORB THE RADIOIODINE, DESTROYING THEM

Thyroid Medication

Not all thyroid disorders require thyroid surgery in NYC. Numerous thyroid medications are available. Some medicines are designed to treat an overactive thyroid. These medicines inhibit the thyroid’s production of thyroxine and triiodothyronine to restore normal hormone levels. Thyroid medication can also treat an underactive thyroid by supplementing low thyroxine levels in pill form. Patients who have undergone thyroid surgery typically require continual thyroid medication to maintain proper hormone levels.

THYROID MEDICATION
TREATS HYPOTHYROIDISM & HYPERTHYROIDISM
MEDICATION CAN HELP CONTROL THYROID HORMONE LEVELS
THYROXINE CAN BE TAKEN IN PILL FORM FOR UNDERACTIVE THYROID
ANTITHYROID PILLS CAN INHIBIT THYROXINE & TRIIODOTHYRONINE PRODUCTION FOR OVERACTIVE THYROID

How Do I Learn More About Thyroid Surgery & Treatments In NYC?

Our thyroid surgeon in NYC would be happy to discuss thyroid surgery and thyroid treatments in more detail with you. To schedule a consultation, please call 646.943.7985 or request an appointment online at our NYC office.