The thyroid, a small two-part gland in the lower neck, controls the body's metabolism, heart rate and pulse. Several operations may be performed on the thyroid, including a biopsy, removal of a tiny part of the gland for diagnostic purposes, or a lobectomy, removal of one lobe, reports the American Thyroid Association. Partial or complete removal of the thyroid, which is called thyroidectomy, may be done as well. The symptoms following surgery depend on the thyroid problem, extent of the operation and the surgeon's expertise.
Hypothyroidism
After thyroid surgery, patients may have too little thyroid hormone, which is called hypothyroidism, reports the American Thyroid Association. Hypothyroidism always occurs if the entire gland is removed, which is done for thyroid cancer, explains the American Thyroid Association, and can also appear when only part of the thyroid is removed. Because thyroid hormone is needed to survive, hypothyroid patients must take thyroid replacement hormone for their entire lives after surgery, reports the Merck Manual.
Hypoparathyroidism
After thyroid surgery, some patients may have hypoparathyroidism, or diminished output of the parathyroid glands, which are the tiny glands located behind the thyroid, reports the American Thyroid Association. This occurs more often in people requiring extensive surgery, such as those with cancer in the nearby lymph nodes or thyroid enlargements that extend below the collarbone. Because the parathyroid glands control calcium glands, calcium supplements must be taken for a lifetime if they are damaged.
Muscle Problems
Muscle spasms can occur if the parathyroid glands are damaged during surgery, reports the American Cancer Society. A patient may also feel like his muscles are numb or tingling. These symptoms are caused by low calcium levels due to the damaged parathyroid glands. Muscle damage is a rare symptom after extensive thyroid surgery, reports the National Cancer Institute, but can cause one shoulder to become lower than the other.
Bleeding
After surgery, a patient may experience extensive bleeding from their neck where the operation was performed, reports the American Cancer Society. They may also develop a blood clot in the area.
Wound Infection
Infection can develop around the incision in the neck, reports the American Cancer Society. This complication is unlikely if the surgeon is a specialist in thyroid surgery and has performed many operations.
Vocal Cord Paralysis
Rarely, the vocal cords may be damaged during surgery, but this can occur if the procedure removes tumor tissue close to them, reports the Merck Manual. This results in temporary or permanent hoarseness.
