Endocrine Surgery

Depending on your symptoms, we may recommend the following diagnostic tests:

• Rapid intra-operative parathyroid hormone (PTH) monitoring
• Ultrasound
• Ultrasound-guided thyroid biopsy

Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped organ that stretches across the bottom of your neck. It makes hormones that control how your body uses energy (your metabolism). Thyroid conditions include:

• Graves’ disease
• Hyperthyroidism
• Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
• Thyroid cancer
• Thyroid nodules

Your parathyroid glands are located behind your thyroid. They release parathyroid hormone (PTH), which controls how much calcium is in your blood. Parathyroid diseases include:

• Hyperparathyroidism
• Hypoparathyroidism
• Parathyroid cancer

Your adrenal glands are located on top of your kidneys. They make hormones that regulate your immune system, your blood sugar levels, and your blood pressure. Adrenal disorders include:

• Cushing’s syndrome
• Conn’s syndrome (primary hyperaldosteronism)
• Addison’s disease (adrenal insufficiency)
• Pheochromocytoma

Depending on your diagnosis, your surgeon may recommend one of these minimally invasive procedures:

• Adrenalectomy. During this procedure, your surgeon removes one or both of your adrenal glands or an adrenal tumor.
• Parathyroidectomy. This involves removing some or all of your parathyroid glands or a parathyroid tumor. While it is currently the only way to treat hyperparathyroidism, this procedure is not right for every person.
• Thyroidectomy. During this operation, part or all of your thyroid is removed. How much of your thyroid is removed will depend on your specific condition.