Which statement is true after thyroidectomy?

• A. Lifelong thyroid hormone replacement is required
• B. No medications are required after surgery
• C. Thyroid levels do not need monitoring
• D. Radioactive iodine is never used

Answer: (A)

After thyroidectomy, the body loses its main source of thyroid hormones, so there is no natural production of T4 and T3. To maintain normal metabolism and symptoms, lifelong thyroid hormone replacement is required, typically with levothyroxine. The dose is tailored to the individual and adjusted based on regular blood tests that measure TSH (and sometimes free T4) to keep the patient in the euthyroid range. This monitoring is essential because needs change with factors like age, weight, pregnancy, and other medical conditions or medications.

The other statements don’t fit because medications are indeed needed after surgery, thyroid levels must be monitored to ensure proper dosing, and radioactive iodine can be used after thyroidectomy in certain circumstances (for example, to ablate residual thyroid tissue or treat thyroid cancer), so it isn’t never used.