Thyroid Conditions & Surgery

A hormone-producing gland in your throat, your thyroid is essential to ensure that your metabolism is functioning properly. Thyroid conditions are disorders that affect the gland and the hormones it creates. While some thyroid conditions are treatable with medication, others require surgical intervention.  

If you or a loved one have a thyroid condition and are looking for a more permanent treatment option, you can rely on our team at Northeast Georgia Physicians Group (NGPG) General Surgery to provide excellent surgical care.  

What are the symptoms of a thyroid condition?

Thyroid conditions are generally divided into two groups, hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, which cause different symptoms to occur. Both condition types can cause the thyroid, or goiter, to be enlarged. Other symptoms of thyroid conditions include: 

Who’s at risk for thyroid conditions?

While anyone can develop issues with the thyroid gland, some people are at a higher risk than others. Some of the risk factors for developing a thyroid condition include: 

• Being female 
• Family history 
• Being above 60 
• Autoimmune diseases 
• Radiation exposure 

How are thyroid conditions diagnosed?

If you have a lump on your thyroid, you’ll want to get it checked out by a medical provider. Getting seen by a primary care physician first will help you get a referral to a specialist that can diagnose your condition. Some testing used to diagnose thyroid conditions include: 

• Blood testing
  Blood testing is done to measure your hormones, helping your provider determine what type of thyroid condition you are suffering from. 
• Imaging tests
  Your provider may use an ultrasound of the thyroid gland location to determine if there are any growths that may be affecting your thyroid. 

After diagnosis, your physician can refer you to an NGPG General Surgeon for additional diagnostics, biopsy or surgery. 

How are thyroid conditions treated?

Depending on the condition affecting your thyroid, your provider may begin your treatment with medication. If medication isn’t an option or you are looking for a more permanent solution, you may be referred to NGPG General Surgery. Some of the options we offer for thyroid surgery include: 

• Thyroidectomy: The full or partial removal of the thyroid. 
• Thyroid lobectomy: The removal of a single lobe of your thyroid. 
• Lymph node dissection: Removal of nearby lymph nodes or tissue to treat cancer. 

Who should get thyroid surgery?

Thyroid disorders can range from uncomfortable or unsightly to life-threatening, and surgery with an experienced team like NGPG General Surgeons’ is sometimes the best treatment option. At NGPG General Surgery, we recommend surgical treatment for the following conditions: 

• Thyroid cancer
  Surgery is the most common treatment for thyroid cancer, and it has very good outcomes for cancer patients. A part of a nationally recognized oncology program at Northeast Georgia Medical Center, our general surgeons at NGPG have access to the latest research and technology, as well as a comprehensive oncological team. 
• Hyperthyroidism & Graves’ Disease
  For many patients, hyperthyroidism can be successfully treated with radiation or medications, but surgery may be the most appropriate option in some cases. Your provider may suggest thyroidectomy or a thyroid lobectomy for treatment. 
• Goiter
  A condition that causes the enlargement of the thyroid gland, some patients with goiter choose to have surgery on their thyroid gland for cosmetic reasons, and others because the condition is causing difficulty swallowing or breathing. 
• Thyroid nodules
  Most nodules or lumps on the thyroid are noncancerous and do not cause any symptoms, but diagnostics are always recommended to ensure that they are not dangerous. Our team can help determine if they are cancerous or noncancerous and develop a treatment plan. 

What is recovery like after thyroid surgery?

Most patients go home the same day as thyroid surgery, depending on which surgical option your NGPG General Surgery provider determines to be best for you. Complete thyroidectomy recovery may extend longer than partial removal or thyroid lobectomy. Recovery at home may take two to three weeks, and you will be prescribed medication to help with pain. You may experience pain or soreness in your neck, as well as discomfort when speaking. 

Depending on whether all or just part of your thyroid is removed, you may need hormone replacement medicine following your procedure. You may also need to take supplements to balance your calcium levels. In most cases people do not need to make dietary changes. 

Choose NGPG for Thyroid Surgery

At NGPG General Surgery, our experienced thyroid surgeons perform over 100 thyroid and parathyroid operations each year and can offer the experience you need and the latest advancements in technology to ensure that your surgery goes well. Connected with the award-winning Northeast Georgia Medical Center, we perform surgeries in state-of-the-art surgical settings with access to leading technologies to improve outcomes and reduce discomfort. 

If you or a loved one are suffering from a thyroid condition and are looking for surgical treatment, you can trust our team at NGPG General Surgery to provide a surgical plan tailored to your needs.