When it comes to your health, you likely only meet with your primary care physician every few months. We’ll walk you through some of the most common reasons your doctor might encourage you to seek out thyroid surgery in Austin.
Reasons You Might Be Told To See a Thyroid or Parathyroid Surgeon
If there is any suspected nodules or growths that may warrant surgery, you may be directed to see a thyroid or parathyroid specialist. They will l likely conduct a fine needle aspiration of any suspected nodules or growths on these glands.
If the growth or nodule is very large, and is continuing to grow, or is causing you discomfort when you swallow or breathe, you may be recommended for surgery. However, If the biopsy shows any of the following results, you may possibly be a candidate for surgery:
- Cancer of the thyroid or parathyroid.
- Possible cancer.
- An inconclusive biopsy.
- The results indicate that there is a risk that these growths are malignant.
Are There Alternatives To Thyroid Surgery?
Fortunately, certain thyroid conditions are often slow-progressing and can be mitigated with various therapies and treatment plans. These conditions can best be managed with the care of an endocrinologist or with your primary care physician. However, if these treatments do not effectively resolve your condition, sometimes surgery is the best course of treatment.
Having thyroid or parathyroid surgery is often recommended because these glands have been found to have a condition that can significantly impact your quality of life. The purpose of thyroid surgery is to correct or remove any unhealthy parts or sometimes the entire thyroid if cancer is present. The purpose of parathyroid surgery is to locate and remove any abnormal parathyroid glands. Typically, patients have four parathyroid glands, with some patients having one or two more. In removing the problematic parathyroid glands, surgeons can often cure any conditions that you might be experiencing.
At Texas Thyroid and Parathyroid, if surgery is determined to be necessary, we are committed to providing our patients with a thorough understanding of the process, both pre- and post-operative. We are dedicated to providing our patients with the highest level of care.
Other Reasons You Might Be Recommended For Surgery
While in many cases, you could be recommended for surgery immediately after your diagnosis with a thyroid or parathyroid condition, in some cases, your primary care physician may help to develop a treatment plan that does not rely on surgery immediately. However, if after a period of time, this treatment plan does not appear to be having an effect on your health or is failing to address the underlying cause of your condition, it is time to seek out a thyroid or parathyroid surgeon.
Which Surgeon Will I Be Recommended To See?
While some patients research thyroid or parathyroid surgeons and choose our practice, it is very likely that your primary care physician will already have a surgeon in mind. When asking your doctor for a referral, they will base their recommendation on a variety of factors. Experienced thyroid and parathyroid surgeons should be well practiced and should have conducted several hundred procedures over the course of their career. It is recommended that you work with a surgeon that performs no fewer than 50 surgeries in a given year. The surgeon should be familiar with your specific condition and should have a clear understanding of the procedure that will address it, as well as your pre- and postoperative care routines.
Austin’s Leading Thyroid And Parathyroid Surgeon
For those in the Austin area, your doctor will more than likely recommend you to see Dr. Teresa Kroeker. Dr. Kroeker treats patients throughout Texas, and in communities around the world. She is experienced in complicated and precise central and lateral neck dissections, as well as surgeries that address thyroid cancer and hyperparathyroidism. Dr. Kroeker conducts hundreds of these surgeries every year, making her one of the most practiced surgeons in her field. If you have been recommended for thyroid or parathyroid surgery, and are seeking the highest quality of care in the Austin area, we invite you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Kroeker at the Texas Thyroid & Parathyroid Center today.
