Parathyroid gland removal: when to get help

1. 1

   Is any of this happening now?

   Call 911

   Call emergency services for rapidly increasing neck swelling, trouble breathing, severe difficulty swallowing, fainting, or sudden major voice change with neck pressure.

   Do not drive yourself.

   Other emergency signs, for anyone

   • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
   • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
   • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
   • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
   • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
   • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
   • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
   • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
2. 2

   Is any of this happening?

   Be seen today

   Contact your surgical team urgently for increasing tingling around the mouth, muscle cramps or spasms, marked weakness, confusion, or symptoms that continue despite prescribed calcium.

   These can indicate low blood calcium.

   Also contact the team promptly for fever, spreading redness, pus, worsening wound pain, persistent vomiting, or bleeding from the incision.

   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
3. 3

   Does any of this apply?

   Book an appointment

   Routine questions about your scar, return to exercise, test results, or medication duration can usually wait for normal office hours or your planned follow-up appointment.

   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Parathyroid gland removal. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.