Thyroid Conditions

Thyroid Conditions

Thyroid Surgery

Thyroid surgery may be required for a number of different reasons. One is to remove nodules with malignancy or malignant potential within the thyroid. Another is to remove the entire gland due to hyperfunction (overactivity). Finally the thyroid gland may need to be removed due to a large multinodular goitre (multiple large nodules causing enlargement of the thyroid gland) causing pressure or compression symptoms (difficulty swallowing, changes in breathing).

Thyroid Nodules

Thyroid nodules can be benign, indeterminate or malignant.

A FNA (fine needle aspiration) biopsy is usually required to diagnose the type of thyroid nodule.

All nodules larger than 10mm or smaller ones that look suspicious will be recommended for biopsy. An FNA allows a sample of cells form the thyroid nodule to be collected and examined under the microscope. A report is then issued with a category which ranges from benign to malignant in nature.

Hyperfunctioning Thyroid (Grave’s disease)

Graves disease is an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid. The disease process results in the thyroid gland becoming enlarged and overactive. It may also be associated with some changes in the eye and potential visual change.

Grave’s disease can be treated with medication or Radioactive Iodine therapy however in some circumstances surgery is the treatment of choice.

The operation requires removal of the entire gland. Post-operatively there is then the need for replacement of thyroid hormone with life-long thyroxine medication. The advantage of surgery is that the Graves will be effectively ‘cured’. There will be no further need to take antithyroid medication.

Surgery is the preferred choice of management when the gland is very big and causing compression of structures and also when there are eye signs present.