Thyroid cancer and the voice box

Hi @lilyann,
The larynx, or voice box, is close to the thyroid. Sometimes, voice changes can happen after surgery for thyroid cancer. But if I recall, you have not had surgery yet.

Am I understanding correctly that a doctor examined your larynx and said that it is not functioning correctly. Did the doctor say what you should do?

hi colleen, yes the physicians assisstant said she would let all my medical people know what she found and for me to drink plenty of water and not to scream. i will be having the neck and soft tissue ultrasound on the 19th of december and then the surgeon appt. on january 3, 2023. with the 3.4 nodule on the right side, i find it hard to turn my head that way. all of my right side does not feel well. i am concerned about this because of my age, 4 score and 10, i have not found anything on any elderly surgeries, so many young people only. is there a site to where i could see how things are with the elderly that have had this surgery done. thank you so much colleen for your concern and i'm so glad to have someone to express my fears with. i'm praying for all those in worst shape than i myself. don't mean to be selfish . thank you again.

Hi Lilyann,
Not to worry everyone isn’t young….I’m old!… and I had a larger nodule than yours, which just means we lived our lives without a thyroid problem longer! (Yeah!)
Prior to my surgery, the surgeon told me that the pain I was having when I moved my head in certain positions was probably due to the nodule crushing things in the area….I think he called it “crushing syndrome.” The thyroid nodule is taking up space so everything in the area gets squished.
Although the nodule can cause voice issues, there are a lot of other issues that can cause vocal changes, so don’t worry unnecessarily. Think about the last time you went to a concert or event where you had to really yell to be heard. For the next few days you sound like you have laryngitis…. however as your voice rests, it gets better. This is just one of the many causes of voice issues that improve after the situation is changed, so try not to worry too much before you have to.
I was extremely concerned with the nodule/surgery causing problems with the nerves associated with speaking because my voice had gotten very raspy, however after my surgery my speaking voice improved.
Good luck!

sorry colleen, i meant 4 score. minus the 10. another question, can this thyroid make your whole head feel so bad and painful, neck and back. thanks again.

hi koh, thank you for your support. good to hear you are ok. wishing you wellness.

You too! I can definitely relate to your concerns….it is uncharted territory and it is hard to know what is related to the thyroid issues and what isn’t. Good luck with your appointments and just keep asking your questions. Be well.