The thyroid gland is surgically removed in whole or in part during a thyroidectomy. Thyroidectomy is the most common surgical treatment for thyroid tumor and thyroid dysfunction.

What is the thyroid gland's purpose?
The thyroid gland, which is located near the base of your neck, produces a hormone that is circulated throughout your body. The thyroid hormone regulates the rate at which your metabolism works. Iodine is used to manufacture this hormone by the thyroid gland. We absorb iodine from the foods we eat.

Surgery
The surgeon makes a cut (incision) low in the centre of your neck while you're unconscious. It's commonly hidden in a skin wrinkle where it won't be seen once the incision heals. Depending on the reason for the surgery, whole or part of the thyroid gland is then removed.
The surgeon may inspect and remove lymph nodes around your thyroid if you're having a thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer. Thyroidectomy takes one to two hours on average. Depending on the degree of the surgery, it could take longer or shorter.

Following the procedure
• In the hospital, you are usually monitored overnight.
• A little scar will appear on the front of your neck.
• Thyroid hormone therapy may be indicated for you.