Can thyroidectomy cause throat problems?

Introduction. Dysphagia and hoarseness are possible complications that can be observed in patients undergoing thyroidectomy or other neck surgery procedures. These complaints are usually related to superior and inferior laryngeal nerves dysfunction, but these can appear even after uncomplicated surgical procedure.

Why does throat hurt after thyroidectomy?

You will experience some discomfort at the incision site as well as a raw or sore throat from the breathing tube that was inserted during surgery. Pain in the back of the neck or stiffness of the neck muscles can result from the position of the neck during surgery.

Is sore throat normal after thyroidectomy?

Sore Throat/Cough This is normal to experience after surgery and will often last up to 5 days after surgery. Lozenges and a softer diet may be helpful until this resolves. You may also feel like you have phlegm in your throat and need to cough. This is due to the irritation of the tube in your windpipe during surgery.

Is it hard to swallow after thyroid surgery?

Swallowing symptoms and persistence of complaints reported in our study, including sensation of residue, painful swallowing, and difficulty swallowing, are consistent with previous studies of patients following thyroidectomy.

What are the side effects of no thyroid?

They include:

• Weight gain.
• Cold intolerance.
• Fatigue.
• Sleep problems.
• Trouble concentrating, described as brain fog.
• Depression.
• Dry skin.
• Muscle cramps.

  How long does it take to feel better after thyroid surgery?

  Most people take 1 to 2 weeks off to recover. You should not drive for at least a week. There are no other restrictions. Depending on the amount of thyroid tissue that was removed and the reason for your surgery, you may be placed on thyroid hormone (Synthroid or Cytomel).

  Do you still have tightness in your neck after thyroidectomy?

  Immediately after surgery I began feeling tightness, pressure fullness and a pulling and stretching in the entire neck area. It is still the same today 7 months later.

  How long has it been since my thyroidectomy?

  Its been 5 weeks since my total thyroidectomy. I am also experiencing the tightness, pulling and stretching feelings in my throat, at times it feels like there is a choke hold around the base of my neck.

  When do you need thyroid hormone replacement surgery?

  This is usually the point where your symptoms progress and continue to worsen all of a sudden over a 1-2 year period. Once patients get to this stage they may ultimately require life long use of thyroid hormone replacement due to this glandular damage.

  What happens to your body during a thyroid flare up?

  While flare-ups may differ dramatically from person to person, it’s important not to focus on the symptoms necessarily but instead what they mean for your body. During a “flareup” both your immune system and inflammatory system have been triggered and you may be damaging your thyroid.

  Is it normal to have sore throat after thyroid surgery?

  Sore Throat/Cough This is normal to experience after surgery and will often last up to 5 days after surgery. Lozenges and a softer diet may be helpful until this resolves. You may also feel like you have phlegm in your throat and need to cough.

  What happens to your thyroid after a thyroidectomy?

  But once you remove your thyroid, the ability to tightly control and regulate your thyroid is gone. Instead, you will be placed on thyroid hormone medication (usually once per day) and told that this will be enough to control your thyroid.

  Is it normal to have phlegm after thyroid surgery?

  This is normal to experience after surgery and will often last up to 5 days after surgery. Lozenges and a softer diet may be helpful until this resolves. You may also feel like you have phlegm in your throat and need to cough. This is due to the irritation of the tube in your windpipe during surgery. It should clear up in 4-5 days.

  Can a thyroidectomy cause hoarseness six months after surgery?

  Less than 1 percent of people having a thyroidectomy will experience damage to either the recurrent laryngeal nerve or the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve. 4  If hoarseness persists, especially if it is still present six months after surgery, it’s likely that the recurrent laryngeal nerve was injured.