<p>The parathyroid glands, which regulate calcium levels, are located on the thyroid gland. </p>
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@wis75, That’s odd, because there is an American Association of Endocrine Surgeons, and both Yale Hew Haven Hospital and Columbia Presbyterian Hospital have endocrine surgery departments utilizing surgeons with this specialty. In fact, I believe Columbia offers appropriate candidates a local anesthesia option that avoids the severe post-thyroidectomy sore throat (described by many patients) that appears to be the result of the presence of the breathing tube combined with the neck manipulation required for the surgery. I am fortunate enough to live in a part of the country where I have access to sophisticated care and don’t have to rely on a general surgeon who would have had far less experience with this procedure.</p>
<p>@ljrfrm, the Columbia Presbyterian endocrine surgery website, which is terrifically informative, notes “Approximately 5% of patients will have a temporarily low calcium level after the operation and less than 1% of patients may have a permanently low calcium level. We routinely ask patients to take calcium supplements for the first few weeks after the operation to help avoid the symptoms of low calcium levels.” </p>
<p>I remembering researching and seeing that this could be a possibility but I didn’t take any calcium supplements beforehand. My levels luckily worked themselves out after a day or so without any further intervention.</p>
<p>DH was just diagnosed with Thyroid cancer and is having his removed in a couple of weeks. He is not looking forward to the surgery. His doctor has removed thousands of Thyroids. Assuming the surgery goes well he was told the sore throat is the worst part of the recovery. The recovery time is 1-2 weeks. He is hoping it’s 1. Later next month they also have to give him a radioactive pill and then he needs to stay away from everyone for 2 1/2 days.</p>
<p>MichiganGeorgia - sorry to hear about DH’s diagnosis, but I’m sure you’ve already heard, if you’re going to get cancer, this is one of the most easily curable forms. Or at least that’s what I was told 20 years ago (although I didn’t have cancer - they were ruling it out). Of course, then when I got endometrial cancer last spring, I was told, “Oh, you’ll be cured so easily.” It still never feels good, at all, to be told you have cancer, no matter how easily curable it is. </p>
<p>Wishing your H a speedy and complete recovery, @MichiganGeorgia. Having such an experienced surgeon is very reassuring. I am a bit puzzled that he still has to take the radioactive pill, which is usually an alternative to surgery, but I suspect it’s because of the cancer diagnosis, and a need to be sure every last bit of thyroid tissue is gone. Once your H is home and comfortable, I would greatly appreciate it if you could find a moment to let me know your thoughts on the whole process via PM. I’m usually a brave patient, but there’s something about this procedure–maybe the length of the surgery or the location, that is quite daunting.</p>
<p>I’ve taken thyroid replacement since I was a small child and have dealt with all kinds of things over the years. I finally found a febulous endocrinologist and the one thing he is adamant about is that patients stick with one prescription and not move back and forth because all preparations are not identical, so he always makes his prescriptions DAW.</p>