The First Few Days

Most patients stay in hospital for a short period after surgery. A sore throat, mild neck tightness and some discomfort while swallowing are common and usually settle within days. Your team will explain wound care, painkillers and when you can resume normal activity.

Your Voice

Temporary hoarseness or a tired, weaker voice can occur because the nerves that control the voice lie next to the thyroid gland. Most voice changes improve over weeks. Tell your surgeon if your voice stays weak, or if you have difficulty breathing or swallowing.

Calcium and the Parathyroid Glands

The parathyroid glands, which control calcium levels, sit behind the thyroid. After surgery calcium can drop temporarily. Tingling around the lips or in the fingers, or muscle cramps, are warning signs — contact your doctor promptly if they occur. Calcium and vitamin D supplements may be prescribed for a period.

When to Call Your Doctor

Tingling or numbness around the mouth or fingertips, muscle cramps, rapidly increasing neck swelling, or breathing difficulty.

Thyroid Hormone Replacement

If the whole thyroid is removed, you will need daily thyroid hormone tablets for life. If only part is removed, you may or may not need them. Blood tests (such as TSH) are repeated after surgery to adjust the dose, and most people lead completely normal lives once the dose is right.

Scar Care and Follow-Up

Keep the wound clean and dry as advised, and protect the scar from direct sun for several months. Attend all follow-up visits — these include reviewing the pathology report, blood tests and, in cases of thyroid cancer, any further treatment or monitoring that may be needed.

This article is general health information and is not a substitute for a personal consultation. If you have symptoms, please see a doctor.