Monitoring
Many small, benign nodules only need periodic check-ups and a repeat ultrasound.
THYROID CARE · ISLAMABAD
Thyroid lumps & goitreassessment and surgery.
Dr M Riaz Khokhar assesses thyroid nodules, goitre and other thyroid swellings, and offers thyroid surgery when it is needed, at PNS Hafeez Hospital Islamabad.
Evening clinic, Monday to Friday, 5–7 pm. Your appointment time will be confirmed by the clinic.
WHEN TO COME
Reasons to have your thyroid checked.
- A lump or swelling in the front of your neck, especially one that moves when you swallow.
- A thyroid nodule found on an ultrasound or another scan.
- A goitre causing pressure in the neck, difficulty swallowing, or breathlessness when lying flat.
- A hoarse or changed voice together with a neck swelling.
- An FNA (needle test) report that advises a surgical opinion.
- You have been advised thyroid surgery and want to discuss your options.
Most thyroid lumps are not cancer. The purpose of assessment is to find the few that need treatment, and to reassure everyone else.
YOUR VISIT
What happens at a thyroid consultation.
Not everyone needs every test. Bring any reports you already have so that tests are not repeated unnecessarily.
1
History and examination
Your symptoms, medical and family history, and an examination of your neck. The voice box may be checked with a thin camera through the nose if your voice has changed or surgery is being considered.
2
Blood tests
Thyroid function tests show whether the gland is overactive, underactive or working normally.
3
Neck ultrasound
The main scan for thyroid lumps. It shows the size and appearance of each nodule and helps decide whether a needle test is needed.
4
Needle test (FNA) when needed
A fine needle takes a small sample of cells from the nodule for examination under a microscope.
5
A clear plan
Your results are explained and the options discussed: monitoring, medical treatment with a physician, or surgery.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
Not every thyroid lump needs surgery.
Medical treatment
An overactive or underactive thyroid is usually managed with medicines by a physician or endocrinologist. You will be referred when this is the right route.
Surgery
Considered when a nodule is suspicious or cancerous, when a goitre causes pressure symptoms, or when needle test results remain uncertain.
THYROID SURGERY
What to expect if you need an operation.
The operation
Either half of the gland is removed (hemithyroidectomy) or all of it (total thyroidectomy), under general anaesthetic, through an incision in a skin crease low in the neck.
Hospital stay and recovery
Most patients stay one or two nights and return to light daily activities within one to two weeks. Your own timeline will be discussed before surgery.
Tablets afterwards
After the whole gland is removed you will need a daily thyroid hormone tablet for life. After half is removed, blood tests show whether you need one.
Risks
These include a change in voice, low calcium levels, bleeding, infection and scarring. Dr Khokhar will explain how each applies to you before you decide.
When to seek urgent care
Go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- Difficulty breathing or noisy breathing.
- A neck swelling that is growing quickly.
- Being unable to swallow.
- After thyroid surgery: new neck swelling or tightness, or tingling around the lips and in the fingers.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Questions patients often ask.
Is a thyroid lump usually cancer?
No. Most thyroid lumps are benign. An ultrasound, and sometimes a needle test, shows which ones need further treatment.
Do all thyroid nodules need an operation?
No. Many are simply monitored. Surgery is advised only when there is a clear reason for it.
Will my voice change after thyroid surgery?
The nerves to the voice box run close to the thyroid, so a voice change is a recognised risk. For most patients any change is temporary. Your voice box is checked before surgery when needed.
Will the scar be visible?
The incision is placed in a natural skin crease so that it is less noticeable. Scars usually fade over several months, although healing varies from person to person.
What should I bring to my appointment?
Thyroid blood tests, ultrasound and needle test reports, any previous operation notes, and a list of your current medicines.
Reviewed by Dr M Riaz Khokhar, ENT Consultant · November 2026. This page gives general information and does not replace a consultation.
Ready to arrange a thyroid consultation?
Monday–Friday · 5–7 pm · PNS Hafeez Hospital Islamabad