Our Summary

This study takes a look at how people’s voices change after they have surgery to remove their thyroid gland and how these changes persist long-term. The researchers used a special questionnaire and voice tests to track the voice changes in 168 patients for up to two years after their surgery.

They noticed that while the voices of some patients seemed to improve over time, others got worse even two years after surgery. The study found that people who use their voices a lot for work, those who had more extensive surgery, and those with higher pitched voices were more likely to experience worse voice quality and ongoing voice problems.

So, the takeaway is that having surgery on your thyroid can potentially have long-term effects on your voice, especially if you’re a professional singer or speaker, if your surgery was more extensive, and if your voice is naturally high-pitched.

FAQs

  1. Do all patients experience voice changes after undergoing a thyroidectomy?
  2. What factors contribute to worse voice quality and ongoing voice problems after thyroidectomy?
  3. Can the impact on voice quality after a thyroidectomy persist long-term?

Doctor’s Tip

A doctor might advise a patient undergoing thyroidectomy to be aware of potential changes in their voice post-surgery, especially if they use their voice frequently in their profession. They may recommend working with a speech therapist or vocal coach to help maintain or improve voice quality, and to be patient with the healing process as it can take time for the voice to fully recover. Additionally, they may suggest avoiding straining the voice and staying hydrated to support vocal health during the recovery period.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended for thyroidectomy include those with:

  1. Thyroid cancer: Thyroidectomy is often recommended for patients with thyroid cancer to remove cancerous tissue and prevent it from spreading.

  2. Goiter: A goiter is an enlarged thyroid gland that can cause difficulty breathing or swallowing. Thyroidectomy may be recommended to alleviate these symptoms.

  3. Hyperthyroidism: Thyroidectomy may be recommended for patients with hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) who do not respond to other treatments such as medication or radioactive iodine therapy.

  4. Thyroid nodules: Thyroidectomy may be recommended for patients with thyroid nodules that are causing symptoms, are suspicious for cancer, or are causing hyperthyroidism.

  5. Recurrent thyroid nodules: Patients with recurrent thyroid nodules that continue to grow or cause symptoms may be recommended for thyroidectomy.

  6. Graves’ disease: In some cases, thyroidectomy may be recommended for patients with Graves’ disease (autoimmune disorder causing hyperthyroidism) who do not respond to other treatments.

Overall, the decision to recommend thyroidectomy is based on the individual patient’s specific condition, symptoms, and response to other treatments. It is important for patients to discuss the potential risks and benefits of thyroidectomy with their healthcare provider to determine the best course of treatment for their thyroid condition.

Timeline

Before thyroidectomy:

  1. Patient is diagnosed with a thyroid condition such as thyroid cancer, hyperthyroidism, or goiter.
  2. Patient undergoes pre-operative testing and preparation for surgery.
  3. Patient may experience symptoms related to their thyroid condition, such as fatigue, weight changes, or difficulty swallowing.

After thyroidectomy:

  1. Patient undergoes surgery to remove part or all of their thyroid gland.
  2. Patient may experience temporary hoarseness or changes in voice immediately after surgery.
  3. Patient may need to take thyroid hormone replacement medication for the rest of their life to regulate hormone levels.
  4. Patient may experience changes in weight, metabolism, and energy levels post-surgery.
  5. Patient may need to have regular follow-up appointments and blood tests to monitor thyroid hormone levels and overall health.

What to Ask Your Doctor

Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about thyroidectomy include:

  1. What are the potential risks and complications of thyroidectomy surgery?
  2. How will my voice be affected by the surgery, and what can I expect in terms of voice changes?
  3. Will I need voice therapy or other interventions to help with any voice changes after surgery?
  4. Are there any factors that may increase the likelihood of experiencing voice problems after thyroidectomy?
  5. How long do voice changes typically last after thyroidectomy, and are there any long-term implications for my voice?
  6. Are there any specific precautions I should take to protect my voice after surgery?
  7. Will I need to follow up with a speech therapist or voice specialist post-surgery?
  8. Are there any specific exercises or techniques I can do to improve my voice after thyroidectomy?
  9. What are the signs that I should seek medical attention for voice problems after surgery?
  10. Are there any alternative treatments or interventions available to help with voice changes after thyroidectomy?

Reference

Authors: Kim GJ, Bang J, Shin HI, Kim SY, Bae JS, Kim K, Kim JS, Hwang YS, Shim MR, Sun DI. Journal: Am J Otolaryngol. 2023 May-Jun;44(3):103820. doi: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2023.103820. Epub 2023 Mar 1. PMID: 36893530