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Thyroid & Parathyroid Surgery Archive Questions

Below are Dr. Douglas Turner’s answers to Thyroid & Parathyroid Surgery questions
received through the Ask the Expert feature.

This content is provided for informational purposes only, and is not intended
to be a substitute for individual medical advice in diagnosing or treating a
health problem. Please consult with your physician about your specific health
care concerns.



Now displaying records 1 to 15 of 30.

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Q : 1

12/15/2012
In parathyroid surgery, do you use the minimally invasive procedure?

Yes we do.


Q : 2

09/14/2012
What's the procedure (surgical or not)when you have one or more overactive parathyroid gland(s)?

Typically they are removed surgically.


Q : 3

04/17/2012
Is there a way to just remove the goiter without removing the thyroid gland?

The goiter is the thyroid.


Q : 4

03/02/2012
I have hyperparathyroidism. What can happen if I don't have the surgery? My levels have been normal for the last 21 years.

Hyperparathyroidism can lead to osteoporosis and declining kidney function among other things.


Q : 5

02/27/2012
Do you see patients from other states?

Yes. That is not a problem as long as he/she is comfortable with the distance.


Q : 6

01/24/2012
I am scheduled for either a total or partial thyroidectomy and cannot decide which I should have. Are there those who do better with one or the other?

There are many factors that go into that decision, and depending on why the thyroid is being removed either may be the right choice.


Q : 7

11/28/2011
I recently saw an endocrinologist and was diagnosed with three hard nodules on my right thyroid gland. What are the chances that these nodules are cancerous or will become cancerous? I've been referred to a thoracic surgeon, but are there options other than surgery?

We will generally recommend removal if they are large (over 3-4 cm) or if FNA is worrisome for cancer. We don't typically remove based on hard versus soft nodules, though there are some nodules that are difficult to obtain an FNA on because they are hard.


Q : 8

09/05/2011
How many parathyroid surgeries do you do in a week?

I do about 20 cases each month. I do both thyroid and parathyroid cases and occasionally I have weeks where I have several patients receiving parathyroid surgeries.


Q : 9

08/04/2011
What are the after effects of having your thyroid gland removed?

You will need thyroid replacement medication for the rest of your life. Additionally, some people report weight gain.


Q : 10

07/06/2011
I was recently diagnosed with parathyroid disease. Is the surgery a minimally invasive surgery that only removes the thyroid gland tumor?

Yes, it does involve an incision, and it removes only the abnormal parathyroid (which is next to the thyroid). Usually the thyroid is not disturbed unless we see an abnormality with it.


Q : 11

07/02/2011
Do you do minimally invasive radioguided parathyroid surgery? I am looking for an experienced surgeon for parathyroidectomy, preferably MIRPS.

I do perform this procedure. My technique does vary in that I usually also check ioPTH levels.


Q : 12

06/02/2011
What happens if half of the thyroid is removed?

Some people require thyroid replacement, but most do fine without any additional medications.


Q : 13

05/17/2011
I am 61 years old and have several tumors on my thyroid gland. My doctor did an ultrasound, but said they didn't look suspicious, that they had blood flow and were less than 1 cm. She said she didn't need to do biopsy and that I should be checked again in a year. Should I get second opinion or wait another year?

It is often reasonable to observe small benign appearing nodules assuming there are no risk factors otherwise or other variables about them which would cause concern.


Q : 14

04/05/2011
What are the long term effects of complete thyroidectomy?

Lifelong need for thyroid replacement is one consistent effect of the surgery; there are potential long term effects also depending on the specifics of the surgery.


Q : 15

02/19/2011
Do you perform the minimally parathyroid surgery spoken of by Dr. James Norman?

Yes, we do perform the minimally invasive parathyroidectomy; however, our technique differs from that of Dr. Norman.


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