Voice changes post thyroid surgery

[Icroak]

Ten weeks after surgery my voice is raspy. I sing in stereo now, like there are two voices going. The surgeon said that the vocal chords looked good and that I should recover. My question for anyone is how long can it take?  When do I know when I need more help, if I do. Is this ever permanent? I would love input. Thanks.

[gimel]

With your symptoms, I'd say that you need to test and verify your thyroid hormone levels, specifically Free T3 and Free T4 (not the same as Total T3 and T4).  Also, what thyroid med are you taking and what is the daily dose?  Last, since hypo patients frequently are too low in the ranges for Vitamin D, B12, and ferritin, have you tested for those as well?

[Marcyhersheys]

I had my total thyroidectomy on Feb.19, 2013 and worried still with hoarseness , feels very tired and short of breath when talking and so afraid in case I go back to work and need to call out loud for help in case of emergency cases and I have no power to yell at all. No power to raise my voice.  I am a charge nurse and I've been suffering from low calcium as well as this constant cough as well as change in my voice that's been my main concern ,now that the surgery is all done.

[Cecilia02]

Omg! I had Thyroidectomy in July 2012. I am going through exatly what you are, to the tee. I have been so depressed and I now take anxiety meds. I havent had any voice and nothing works. I had weeks of speech therapy and nothing. very fustrating and thinking of seeking an attorney! I wasnt told i could lose my vocals all to gether. and i have same issues as swallowing and etc!

[Jesusfreak09]

Did you ever get your voice back? I'm about 6 weeks post-op and I am still whispering.

[shari54271]

I had a total thyroidectomy and removal of a parathyroid in May, 2007.  When I woke up, there was a surgeon standing there and he said, "Say anything".  I whispered "hello, how are you".  He said, "Thank God, we thought you might not be able to talk".  Thanks for the warning, guys.  I could only whisper for the first year.  It is now May, 2012.....5 years later.  I still have voice trouble.....throat feels tight, can't get too loud, can't yell or scream, get breathless when talking, can't talk on the phone for very long, sure can't sing.  There has been some slow improvement along the way, but pretty sure this is the best I'll be able to do.  I used to be outgoing and lively, but since the surgery I have changed due to my voice.  It certainly has been  a spiritual experience.  The radiation treatment damaged my salivary glands and my teeth.  Who knew this could happen?

[Jesusfreak09]

I had a total Thyroidectomy may 26th about 6 weeks ago. I'm talking in a whisper and I am afraid my voice will never come back. What did you do to improve your voice?

[sarahbobera]

I had a total thyroidectomy on 10-27-11, and beforehand, my endocrinologist and surgeon, each in the biz for over 20 years, assured me that permanent voice damage is pretty rare.  The surgeon's surgical notes indicate that my vocal cords were intact when he finished the thyroidectomy.  It's been 8 days since the surgery and my voice seems to be getting worse.  For the past two days I've been talking in a whisper at the advice of a speech pathologist friend, in the hopes that my vocal cords or nerves will get a chance to heal, but my voice is getting worse even without using it.  I'm hoarse, my voice is deep and weird, it's exhausting to talk, and I can't produce any high sounds--when I try to it sounds like a kazoo, which would be funny if it weren't so sad.  I'm so frustrated/sad/disappointed.  I want my voice back. =o(

[Leish81]

Hi Nikki,
Thanks so much for your reply, I appreciate it :-)
I'm so glad your voice is back to normal. It must have been so frustrating for you! I was so mad at her Dr for playing it down. It gives me hope for her that I hear others have made a good recovery. Cheers x