What are the effects of removing the thyroid gland

People are all familiar with the thyroid gland, because when you have a cold, fever or get angry, it will cause thyroid inflammation, causing the patient to have a sore throat and hoarseness. Many people actually don’t understand the function of the thyroid gland, nor do they know what the consequences would be if the thyroid gland was removed. The thyroid gland can secrete thyroid hormones, which can promote the development of some organs in the body. Let's learn more about it~

The thyroid gland is a very important endocrine organ. If it is completely removed, it will affect the body's normal metabolism.

1. What are the functions of the thyroid gland?

The thyroid gland is the largest endocrine organ in the human body and its main function is to synthesize thyroid hormones.

The main physiological functions of thyroid hormones are:

(1) Promote metabolism, increase oxygen consumption of most tissues, and increase heat production.

(2) Promotes growth and development. It is essential for the development and growth of long bones, brain and reproductive organs, especially in infancy. Lack of thyroid hormone at this time will cause cretinism.

(3) Increase the excitability of the central nervous system. In addition, it also strengthens and regulates the effects of other hormones, speeds up heart rate, strengthens cardiac contractility and increases cardiac output.

After the thyroid gland is completely removed, the source of thyroid hormone will disappear, the body's endocrine function will be in a disordered state, and timely supplementation of external thyroid hormone is required. However, the ingestion of thyroid hormones from outside the body cannot effectively control the applicable amount of thyroid hormones in the human body. If excessive intake is taken, it will lead to varying degrees of thyrotoxicosis. If the intake of thyroid hormones is insufficient, it will lead to symptoms of low metabolism in the human body caused by low thyroid hormones. If the thyroid gland is lost before adolescence, or if there is a lack of thyroid hormone, the body's bone development will be greatly restricted, and the ossification process will be delayed, causing the child to be short, the nervous system to develop slowly, and mental retardation to occur, resulting in adverse effects on both the body and the mind.

Furthermore, the thyroid gland is covered by the infrahyoid muscles in front, and by delicate tissues such as the common carotid artery, internal jugular vein, and vagus nerve in the posterior and lateral parts. During total thyroidectomy, it is inevitable that surrounding tissues will be injured, which may lead to postoperative sequelae.