Thyroid Removal: What to Expect From Your Recovery

• Most people can go home within 1 day of thyroid removal. Full recovery from surgery usually takes a few weeks.

• With a few adjustments, most people live just as they did before thyroid removal. You’ll need lifelong medication to stay healthy after the removal of most or all of your thyroid.

Many people feel anxious when they find out they need to have thyroid surgery. You may wonder what to expect after thyroid removal (thyroidectomy) and how it may change your life. The good news is that most people go on to live just as they did before thyroid surgery, with a few adjustments. 

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What’s a thyroidectomy, and when is it needed?

Thyroidectomy is a common and safe surgical procedure to remove all or part of the thyroid. In fact, it’s one of the most common surgeries in the world. 

You’ll receive general anesthesia and a skilled surgeon will make an incision in the front of your neck. Your surgeon will identify the thyroid gland and remove what's needed to give you the best outcome possible. The amount of thyroid gland they need to remove depends on the reason for the surgery.

Your provider may recommend thyroid surgery for a number of conditions. The most common reasons for thyroidectomy include:

• Thyroid nodules

• Goiter

• Thyroid cancer

• Hyperthyroidism

Thyroid nodules

Thyroid nodules are solid or fluid-filled lumps in the thyroid gland. They are fairly common and not usually cancerous. As you get older, you’re more likely to develop thyroid nodules. Nodules may affect your thyroid hormone levels.

Goiter

A goiter is an overgrowth of thyroid gland tissue. They can become large enough that they affect your swallowing. Sometimes they even affect your breathing. A goiter may also change your thyroid hormone levels.

Thyroid cancer

Thyroid cancer occurs when the cells of the thyroid gland grow out of control. Thyroid cancer can show up with swollen lymph nodes, a hoarse voice, or trouble swallowing. Sometimes there are no symptoms at all. The course of treatment depends on the type of cancer and how far along it is.

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Hyperthyroidism

When you have hyperthyroidism, your thyroid gland is overactive. This means it makes too much thyroid hormone. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include weight loss, fast heart rate, increased sweating, or anxiousness. Depending on the cause of your hyperthyroidism, your provider may recommend surgery as a definitive treatment.

How does thyroid removal affect your body?

If you have all or most of your thyroid removed, your body can no longer make enough thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormone is essential for life and plays a role in most of the body’s system functions. So if you no longer have enough, your provider will recommend medication. This helps replace your natural thyroid hormone. 

Without thyroid hormone replacement, you'll develop symptoms of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). These symptoms can include:

• Weight gain 

• Hair loss 

• Constipation

• Fatigue and lethargy

• Cold intolerance

• Dry or brittle skin

• Irregular periods and infertility

• Muscle aches, weakness, and spasms

• Depression

These symptoms usually go away when you take thyroid hormone replacement. 

If untreated, hypothyroidism can become life-threatening. That's why your provider will order blood tests to check your thyroid hormone levels soon after surgery and then regularly after. This is to make sure your hormone levels stay in a healthy range and you’re taking the correct dose of medication. 

If you only had a small portion of your thyroid removed, there’s an 80% chance you won't need thyroid medication.

What are the most common complications of a thyroidectomy?

A thyroidectomy is a very safe operation with a low likelihood of complications when an experienced surgeon performs it. Although uncommon, complications are possible. Complications are more likely if your cancer or goiter are large or if you’ve had prior thyroid surgery. 

Thyroidectomy complications can include:

• Bleeding: Bleeding in the neck may block the trachea (windpipe). This can make breathing difficult.

• Hoarse voice: Injury to one or both nerves to the larynx (voicebox) can occur during surgery. This can be permanent, but usually it goes away in a few months.

• Difficulty breathing: Bleeding or damage to the surrounding nerves can cause breathing problems. This can happen when large goiters or tumors change the shape of the thyroid.

• Hypocalcemia: This can happen from damage to the parathyroid glands, which attach to the back of the thyroid gland. They help control calcium levels in the bones and blood. Low levels can lead to tingling, muscle spasms, and sometimes seizures. 

What’s involved with thyroid recovery?

Thyroidectomy is a major surgery. And it can last a few hours depending on how much of your thyroid you need removed. But most people recover quickly. Your surgeon will recommend that you get plenty of rest for at least 1 to 2 days after your operation. 

You’ll need to take it easy after surgery so your incision doesn’t bleed and the sutures don’t get damaged. Bleeding in the throat can cause breathing trouble if your airway is blocked. This is rare, but it can be a very serious complication.

You may be able to do some light activity within 1 to 2 days after surgery. But it can take a few weeks to resume full physical activities. Your surgeon will let you know when it’s safe for you to get back to your normal routine.

If you have a larger incision or have lymph nodes removed, it may take you longer to recover. It may also take longer if there are any complications, like:

• Hematoma (collection of blood under the skin)

• Nerve damage

• Airway obstruction

Because thyroid hormone is so important, you'll need to have your levels checked on a regular basis. If your thyroid hormone level is low, your provider may prescribe medication like levothyroxine. 

Thyroid hormone replacement helps prevent any symptoms and complications of hypothyroidism. After adjusting the dose of the medication to get the hormone level right, most people have no symptoms. 

Your surgeon will tell you how long it will take to fully recover based on your overall health, diagnosis, and extent of your surgery. 

What follow-up care do you need after a thyroidectomy?

Your surgeon will place “Steri-Strips” (a special type of tape) and a bandage over your incision after surgery. Most people can go home the same day or the day after surgery. Your surgery team will give you instructions on how to care for the dressing and keep it clean and dry. 

They’ll also make an appointment for you to return to their office. This is usually within 1 to 3 weeks to check how you’re healing.

If you have any concerns in the meantime, contact your surgeon’s office right away. This includes complications like:

• Swelling

• Bleeding

• Fever

• Drainage from the incision

• Trouble breathing 

If your thyroid removal was to treat cancer, your follow-up care may involve more frequent labs, tests, or X-rays. Your healthcare provider may want to see you as often as every 6 months.

Can you live a normal life after thyroid removal?

Most people return to their normal lives and usual activities within a few weeks after thyroidectomy. If you have cancer, surgery may be the only treatment you need. If surgery isn’t expected to cure the cancer, you may need to have other therapy, such as radiation.

You’ll likely have regular blood tests, depending on how much thyroid tissue you have left. You may also need to take thyroid hormone replacement to prevent complications. But most people are able to continue their usual routines with the adjustment of periodic lab tests and daily medication.

Bottom line

Thyroidectomy is a major surgery, but most people recover quickly. It’s important to make sure you choose an experienced surgeon. This can help to decrease your likelihood of complications. Some people have to adjust to lifelong medication and periodic blood tests. But returning to your normal routine is possible after thyroidectomy.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Frank Schwalbe, MD

Frank Schwalbe, MD, is an assistant professor of anesthesiology at the Yale School of Medicine. He has practiced anesthesiology for 30 years.

Edited by:

Karla Robinson, MD

Karla Robinson, MD, is a medical editor for GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified family physician with almost 20 years of experience in health through varied clinical, administrative, and educational roles.

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