PATIENT INFORMATION
Thyroid disease
Stable, treated thyroid disease does not usually prevent surgery. Planning depends on your symptoms, thyroid control and the procedure.
Why it matters
The thyroid gland helps control how fast many body processes work, including heart rate. Very overactive or very underactive thyroid function can affect heart rhythm, blood pressure and the body’s response to anaesthesia.
What to tell the team
- Which thyroid medicine you take and the dose
- Whether your dose has changed recently
- Your latest thyroid blood test, if you have it
- Whether you have had thyroid surgery or radioactive iodine treatment
Also mention
A swelling in the neck (goitre), especially if you have noisy breathing, difficulty swallowing, a change in your voice, or breathlessness when lying flat. A large goitre can affect how the airway is managed.
Contact the hospital before surgery if
You notice new palpitations, tremor, unexplained weight loss or feeling unusually hot, or new marked tiredness, slowness or feeling unusually cold. Symptoms suggesting severe untreated thyroid dysfunction may need assessment before elective surgery.