What to expect after thyroid surgery

Learn what to expect after thyroid surgery, including recovery tips and ways to manage throat discomfort and fatigue.

Learn more about:

• What to expect
• Thyroid hormone replacement therapy
• Tips for taking T4 medicine

What to expect

Most people who have thyroid surgery will feel better within 1-2 weeks, but recovery can take longer for some people.

	Hoarse voice Sometimes surgery affects the nerves to the voice box, making your voice tired, hoarse or weak. This usually improves with time, but for a small number of people some changes may be permanent.
	Pain, eating and exercise Pain medicine usually helps if you are sore from surgery. How you are positioned during surgery may give you a stiff neck or back for a while. Massage and physiotherapy may help. For a couple of weeks, avoid heavy lifting, intense exercise like running, and turning your head quickly. It will hurt to swallow for a few days, so eat soft foods. Your throat may feel stiff for a few months but this usually improves gradually.
	Low calcium levels If surgery affects the parathyroid glands, your blood calcium levels will be checked. Low calcium (hypocalcaemia) may cause headaches, tingling in your hands, feet and lips, and muscle cramps. You may need vitamin D or calcium supplements until your parathyroid glands recover (or permanently). Take calcium supplements at least 2 hours after thyroid hormone replacement tablets.
	Scarring You will have a horizontal scar on your neck above the collarbone. T his is usually about 3–5 cm long and in a natural skin crease. At first, this scar will look red, but should fade with time. Your doctor may suggest using special tape to help the scar to heal. Keep the area moisturised and avoid sun to help the scar fade faster. Your pharmacist, doctor or nurse may suggest a suitable cream.

Tips for taking T4 medicine

• Have it at the same time every day (e.g. before breakfast or before bed).
• Take it on an empty stomach and wait 30 minutes before you eat anything.
• Wait 2 hours before taking other medicines or tablets, including calcium or iron supplements, as these affect the stomach’s ability to absorb the T4.
• Ask your doctor or pharmacist whether your T4 medicine needs to be kept in the fridge. Some T4 medicines may need to be kept cold to maintain the T4 level in the tablets. If you are travelling, the medicine will usually last for up to 30 days out of the fridge, but check before you go.
• If you miss a dose, you should usually take it as soon as you remember, but if it’s almost time to take the next dose, skip the dose you missed.
• Check with your doctor if it’s safe to continue taking other medicines or supplements.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant – you may need a higher T4 dose.
• Don’t stop taking T4 medicine without talking to your doctor first.

I had no real side effects other than a scar, which has faded. I recovered quickly and was back at work after a couple of weeks. After the surgery, I was put on T4 (thyroxine) to get my hormones stable.

Jenny

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