Our Summary

This study looked at how quickly symptoms improved in patients with Graves’ disease who had their thyroid removed. The researchers collected data from 79 patients who underwent this procedure between 2019 and 2021. After the operation, patients filled out surveys about their symptoms at various times. Of the 50 patients who completed the surveys, most were women (88%) with an average age of 38.

Before the operation, the most common symptoms were feeling tired (90%) and being sensitive to heat or cold (88%). After the operation, the fastest symptoms to improve were shaking (resolved in 1 week), diarrhea (resolved in 1 week), and heart palpitations (resolved in 1 week). Other symptoms like eye problems, heat/cold sensitivity, memory problems, and fatigue took a bit longer to improve (about 3 weeks).

There weren’t any significant differences in how quickly symptoms improved based on the patient’s age or sex. Those with more severe Graves’ disease symptoms didn’t take any longer to improve than those with less severe symptoms. The results suggest that removing the thyroid can rapidly improve symptoms in Graves’ disease patients, with most seeing improvement in less than a month.

FAQs

  1. What were the most common symptoms in patients with Graves’ disease before their thyroidectomy?
  2. How quickly did symptoms improve in patients with Graves’ disease after undergoing a thyroidectomy?
  3. Did the severity of the Graves’ disease symptoms or the patient’s age or sex affect the speed of symptom improvement after thyroidectomy?

Doctor’s Tip

A helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about thyroidectomy is to be patient and give yourself time to heal. It’s important to follow your doctor’s instructions for post-operative care, including taking any prescribed medications and attending follow-up appointments. It’s also important to listen to your body and rest when you need to. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your doctor if you have any concerns or questions during your recovery process.

Suitable For

Patients with Graves’ disease who have not responded well to other treatments, such as medication or radioactive iodine therapy, are typically recommended for thyroidectomy. Additionally, patients with large goiters, thyroid nodules, thyroid cancer, or hyperthyroidism may also be recommended for thyroidectomy. It is important for patients to discuss their individual case with their healthcare provider to determine if thyroidectomy is the best treatment option for them.

Timeline

Overall timeline before and after thyroidectomy:

  • Before thyroidectomy:

  • Patient experiences symptoms such as feeling tired, sensitivity to heat or cold, shaking, diarrhea, heart palpitations, eye problems, memory problems, and fatigue.

  • Patient undergoes thyroidectomy surgery.

  • After thyroidectomy:

  • 1 week post-op: Symptoms of shaking, diarrhea, and heart palpitations start to improve.

  • 2-3 weeks post-op: Symptoms like eye problems, heat/cold sensitivity, memory problems, and fatigue begin to improve.

  • Less than a month post-op: Most patients see significant improvement in their symptoms.

  • No significant differences in improvement based on age or sex.

  • Patients with more severe symptoms do not take longer to improve than those with less severe symptoms.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What are the potential risks and complications associated with thyroidectomy?
  2. How long is the recovery process and what can I expect during this time?
  3. Will I need to take thyroid hormone replacement medication after the surgery?
  4. How will the surgery affect my ability to speak or swallow?
  5. What will happen to my voice after the surgery?
  6. How will the surgery affect my weight and metabolism?
  7. Will I need to follow a specific diet or make lifestyle changes after the surgery?
  8. What type of follow-up care will I need after the surgery?
  9. Are there any alternative treatments or therapies that I should consider before proceeding with thyroidectomy?
  10. How soon after the surgery can I expect to see improvements in my symptoms, and what symptoms may take longer to improve?

Reference

Authors: Gillis A, Obiarinze R, McLeod MC, Zmijewski P, Chen H, Fazendin J, Lindeman B. Journal: J Surg Res. 2023 Jan;281:185-191. doi: 10.1016/j.jss.2022.07.027. Epub 2022 Sep 27. PMID: 36179596