I had a complete thyroid surgery in March 2017 this year with Dr Teresa Kroeker as my surgeon. Dr Kroeker has changed my life. Actually I would say she gave me my life back. Since I was 17, I've battled with Hypothyroidism or underactive Thyroid disease and I have been on just about every type of medication there is. It was Dr Kroeker who did an ultrasound right in the office and looking at my years of lab work. She said I had Hoshimotos Thyroiditis which is autoimmune and in short meaning the disease was attacking my thyroid. For years my TSH was up and down like a yo-yo. All this time since 17 I've battled with extreme fatigue, tiredness, weight gain, extreme brain fog, hair falling out, itchy skin, dry hair and nails, constipation, headaches, weakness, irritability and worse extreme mood swings from depression to rage, at times in the same moment. People told me for years how my personality had changed and then I started seeing these traits in myself also but had no control over my mood. I just learned how to live but miserable and suffered in silence to the point suicide creeped into my thoughts at times I will admit. I had extreme weight gain twice 100bs in one year and gained and lost and gained again. I'm 48 now and for over 30 years this has affected my work, my friends, my loved ones, and was close to ending my current relationship. I went religiously to doctor after doctor and TSH would be high, normal, or low and back to normal range. Yet All the while I still felt iut of control and could fall asleep while driving. Finally in July 2016 I went to a Thyroid Specialist desparate for help knowing it was my Thyroid at the root of my misery. I will not tell you who where the doctor was but it was a Thyroid Specialist here in Austin, a well known specialist who looked at my TSH said it's normal and said and I quote, "this is just something you are gonna have to live with." I went hope deflated and hopeless. About 6 months later I got a new PCP again feeling desperate as I had recently started a new job and feeling struggling to focus and feeling slow and having trouble at home with my extreme mood swings so my PCP also a wonder doctor (Dr Heather Aguirre) she sent me to Dr Teresa Kroeker. After reviewing with me the first day and after the ultrasound and review of years of my bloodwork it took her minutes to tell me why I was feeling like I have and what Hashimoto Thyroid disease was and affects it was having with me. She was Extremely caring. Very Smart and explained in detail with a diagram of what was going on with me. Finally I was feeling hopeful and scheduled my surgery in 3 weeks. I cannot tell you what a difference it has made in my life. Surgery was easy. I left the next day, little pain, small scar and back to work he next week. It wasn't overnight but within weeks, not months of having my thyroid out and being on Brand Name Synthroid (not generic) almost all those symptoms are gone. I have energy. I don't fall asleep at work or driving. I feel like I want a sex life again and the depression and rage are gone. Most of all I feel sharp and can think again. It feels like the fog was lifted and sunshine has finally shined. Can't explain it. If anyone has gone through this I am sure you can completely relate to this and even more signs and symptoms you've just dealt with and accepted for years. Trust me you owe it to yourself to see Dr Teresa Kroeker. Thank you Doctor Kroeker for giving me a chance to have my life back. read more

My experience with Dr. Kroeker has been top notch! I was referred to her by my Ob-Gyn who has had positive feedback from other patients they have sent to see her. A regular yearly check-up and resultant blood work with my Ob-Gyn revealed a suspicion of hyperparathyroidism which Dr. Kroeker subsequently confirmed. From our first meeting I felt an immediate ease and comfort with her. She was very informative (she even drew pictures of the involved organs when describing my disease state) and responsive to questions. In addition, I appreciated that while I'm a pharmacist she was responsive to my request to describe my condition in terms that she would use with patients not having a healthcare background (i.e., she understood that while one may work in healthcare their scope of knowledge may be limited to the field in which they work, hampering their understanding of the condition if she were to assume that the patient already understood certain terms, organ systems, etc.). She was very knowledgeable about the skin concerns of African-Americans (excessive scarring, keloids, etc.) which made me feel very comfortable about her varied experience working with different skin types. On surgery morning the pre-op nurse offered various vaccinations that I could elect to get before I left the hospital. I normally get a yearly flu shot, but for various reasons hadn't done so this season so I figured that I'd kill two birds with one stone and have it done the day after surgery. She placed a wrist band on me indicating my desire to receive it and later in the evening I recognized that the band had been removed. When I asked my floor nurse about it she informed me that Dr. Kroeker didn't want me to receive it. Upon quick reflection I realized that in my nervous prep-op state it didn't occur to me that after surgery my body would be compromised and need all of it's energy to recover from surgery. It felt great that Dr. Kroeker was looking out for my best interests and went to bat for me! A few weeks after my surgery I had a question about my recovery and a request to see if Dr. Kroeker would be willing to call in a prescription for a compounded scar cream. I sent her a message via her patient portal and she promptly responded within 48 hours (which I feel is quick considering surgeries, office visits, personal life, etc.). She reassured me that the concerns I had about some post-op discomfort were normal and would resolve over time, and was happy to call in the prescription for the scar cream. Finally, Dr. Kroeker's office assistant Lori was very pleasant, efficient, and quick to respond to voicemail messages. Overall, my experience with Dr. Kroeker and her practice has been exceptional and I would without reservation recommend her to anyone looking for a trustworthy and highly capable physician to treat their thyroid/parathyroid condition. read more

I can not say enough good things about Dr. Kroeker. After my primary care doctor discovered a lump on my thyroid in a routine yearly exam I researched and decided on Dr. Kroeker and I am so glad I did. Her office is easily located, it is very comfortable and inviting, her office manager Lori is amazing along with the rest of her staff. Lori stayed on top of everything and I never had any issues. Dr. Kroeker is very patient in listening and answering questions, never rushing you, friendly, caring and compassionate. Her bed side manner is spectacular. Her exam is very thorough. She showed me images, drew pictures, discussed every detail and always made sure to ask multiple times if I had any additional questions. I ended up having thyroid cancer which spread to a number of lymph nodes on my right-side. I had a total thyroidectomy with a radical neck dissection. When she explained all this to me I broke down and she remained calm and comforting and told me not to worry. I think if it hadn't been for Dr. Kroeker I would have really panicked but she was just amazing every step of the way. From that first visit in April (I think) until my surgery in July (2017) until today Dr. Kroeker and her staff stay on top of my visits. I have to continue to see both her and my endocrinologist every 6 months as I am now at a higher risk of cancer recurrence due to the cancer spreading to my lymph nodes. I have a scar from the front of my neck to just under my right ear and I can't be more pleased with the outcome of it. It looks fantastic. I would recommend anyone to see Dr. Kroeker because she is absolutely the BEST. I owe her so much for taking care of me and my family. She is amazing and has such an amazing team. read more

Dr. Kroeker is a true professional. From the first appointment to continued follow-ups she has kept me and my family at ease with her expertise and talents. At the very first appointment I knew she was the right surgeon. She outlined every bit of the procedure, including possible issues and concerns that could happen during the surgery. She also ordered more labs and scans to provide absolute confidence that the diagnosis was correct and surgery was a necessity. She performed my radical neck dissection for papillary thyroid cancer that pathology confirmed had spread into 34 lymph nodes. She removed over 100 suspicious lymph nodes total and performed full thyroidectomy during the 7 hour surgery with absolute precision. I have had no issues with my vocal chord following the thyroidectomy and the sole undamaged parathyroid she managed to find/cold section biopsy/transplant has taken root successfully to save me from calcium pills as a mandate. She took time to explain the procedure in detail, the long term effects, and the risks associated. She went above and beyond during post surgery period to follow progress and maintained ordering labs for calcium adjustment to save visits to the endocrinologist. It has been 6 months now and the left ear to center neck scar is barely visible because of her talented abilities. Without question Theresa is both a remarkable surgeon and caring of her patients. Thank you for saving the life of a father of 4 and a pilot in the Texas Air National Guard. I successfully passed my flight physical last week and cannot express my appreciation. read more

I strongly recommend Dr. Teresa Kroeker. She is a Fellowship Trained Endocrine Head and Neck surgeon with significant invasive thyroid cancer experience. Not only did she meet all of the criteria recommended to me by several leading national cancer centers, but upon meeting Dr. Kroeker it was apparent how passionate she was regarding her work. During the consultation Dr. Kroeker exhibited tremendous depth of knowledge, extreme attention to detail, a patience and warmth that quickly instilled in me a strong sense of confidence in her ability to ensure the best outcome for my surgery. I left her office feeling a tremendous sense of relief knowing that I was under the care of not only a highly skilled surgeon, but also one that was accessible and willing to listen and answer all of my questions (no matter how many times asked). The surgery was more complex than expected due to how the cancer had grown and the delicacy of my laryngeal nerves. Additionally, Dr. Kroeker took the time to perform a detailed inspection of my lymph nodes and removed many nodes from the central region of my neck, which proved to be cancerous. Fortunately, I was under the care of a talented surgeon with masterful skills and the experience needed to manage such a complex surgery, therefore the outcome was successful. I feel extremely fortunate to have had Dr. Kroeker as my surgeon. I will forever be grateful to her for her knowledge, skills, talents and kindness, all of which helped ease the anxiety of having thyroid cancer. read more

I was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer April 1, 2014. Needless to say, I was scared, nervous, and did not know what to expect. My Endocrinologist referred me to Dr. Kroeker for my surgery, and I am very blessed and thankful she did!! I made my appointment for my consultation. She was very thorough, told me what she would do during the surgery, and basically lifted a load off my shoulders. I felt at ease knowing that I was in good hands. I had my surgery on May 29, 2014. She came in and saw me before I was wheeled into the surgery room. Once I was back in my room, recovering, she came to check on me. I was in some discomfort and pain, and the nurse did not get my Tylenol or Ibuprofen quickly enough, so Dr. Kroeker called down to the pharmacy and had it up to my room within 5 minutes. She is balls to the wall!! She does not accept anything that will hinder her patients care and comfort! She wanted me to see my Endo 2 weeks after my surgery. I had called to make my appointment, but they said they couldn't get me in until Sept. UNACCEPTABLE!! Dr. Kroeker called me that afternoon to see how I was doing, and I told her that I couldn't get in to see my Endo. She ended up calling and getting me in within the 2 weeks. I couldn't have been referred to a better surgeon!!! Almost a year now, and my scar is basically unnoticeable. She did a fantastic job!! I love her and would definitely recommend her!! Thank you Dr. Teresa Kroeker!!! You are amazing!!!! :) read more

I have been in the EMS field for over 30 years and have been around alot of Doctors, and i must say Dr. Kroeker is Best of the Best. I never thought i would need a parathyroid surgeon, but i did. I could have asked for anyone better. I teach Paramedic school in San Antonino and my students as well as coworkers ask me who my M.D. was and i tell them and that if i had to do it all over again and had my choice of M.D. to do this procedure i would choose Dr. Kroeker and i would travel to her no matter where i lived. She took the time to break everything down to me each step of the way and when i asked if i could get another office visit so she could explain it to my wife ( because i am a guy and would leave something out) she said yes and when we left my wife said that is the Doctor i want to work on you. The day of my surgery, my mother met Dr. Kroeker and when she left the room, mom said, she knows her stuff and you can't get any better than that. Dr. Kroeker is someone who is passionate about her profession and her bed side manor speaks about who she is, a caring, loving professional Doctor who know what she is doing and what needs to be done in the best interest of her patients. As a Paramedic for over 30 years, my opinion is Dr. Kroeker is one of if not Austin's top Parathyroid Surgeon. read more

Dr. Kroeker is a jewel in the medical field! My ENT surgeon, in another Texas city, removed my thyroid in August, 2016 due to papillary thyroid cancer. He wanted me to have suspicious node removal done by a head/neck specialist surgeon, but he did not know one. I did my own research and found Dr. Kroeker. Dr. Kroeker's office manager, Lori, was most helpful scheduling an appointment within a few days of my initial call. I had 2 suspicious neck lymph nodes so deep that radiologists did not want to do a needle biopsy. Dr. Kroeker performed the needle biopsy right in her office at my appointment, without even bruising me, and spent an hour discussing her suspicion that the nodes were cancerous and all associated risks with a second surgery. We chose a surgery date in anticipation of the lab results, which came just a few days later. Dr. Kroeker called me herself to tell me and answer my questions! She also promptly answered all my emailed questions. The surgery went flawlessly and I am so thankful for finding Dr. Kroeker and for the excellent care she and St. David's Surgical Center gave! I recommend her to anyone within a 1000 mile radius of Austin! read more

I had parathyroid surgery in September 2016 and felt the need to write about my positive experience with Dr. Kroeker, because she is a compassionate, caring and extremely competent surgeon. Dr. Kroeker holds herself to a very high standard. She is extremely professional, highly relatable and embodies the personal warmth of an old fashioned country doctor. My surgical experience was flawless. The hospital staff attended to me as if I was the only patient with warmth, reassurance and kindness. Dr. Kroeker was very attentive to all of my post operative needs and was always available by phone to answer all of my questions and address any concerns once I returned home, I must also mention that Dr. Kroeker's office manager, Laurie, was such a pleasure to work with. Appointments were easily made, appointment reminders were sent, and most importantly, the paperwork was dealt with in a timely and efficient manner. I never had a logistics problem and all clerical issues were handled proficiently. Thank you Laurie. Dr. Kroeker accepts Obama Care BXBSTX, however she was not listed as such on the BXBSTX website. read more

I have been in the nursing field for 36 years and have been around a variety of healthcare providers. Dr. Kroeker is truly one of the finest physicians I have ever encountered. In August 2016, I personally discovered an enlarged left thyroid gland. Being new to Austin, I relied on word-of-mouth and Yelp for reviews of where to start. After my initial consultation with her, there was no reason to look elsewhere. From the first office visit in August 2016, to the final follow up visit two months later, she exemplified professionalism, expertise, and kindness. She explained everything completely, what to expect, plans of care, and involved me every step of the way. I think some of the aspects of her care that I appreciated the most were how she personally brought me into the exam room, truly listened and provided detailed explanations; I never felt rushed. Even in the hospital, she was on time for surgery and checked on me post-operatively as promised. I would never hesitate to return to her for care, and have even referred patients to her, who have also had extremely positive experiences. read more

I started seeing Dr. Kroeker in 2016 for biopsies needed due to multi-nodular goiter. I traveled from San Antonio to see her as I had researched thyroid cancer specialists/surgeons and she was at the top of the list. She performed a total thyroidectomy on me in November 2016. I cannot say enough about Dr. Kroeker - she is truly one of the best physicians I have ever seen. She is thorough, compassionate, readily available to her patients, explains things in detail and extremely competent. After my surgery she monitored me very carefully, especially my calcium levels. Thankfully for me there was no cancer found. There are no better surgeon's hands to be in than Dr. Kroeker's! She has continued to be there for me with any issues or questions I've had in my recovery over the past year. She is a kind, considerate and caring physician and surgeon that puts her patients first, as well as a consummate professional. I feel so lucky to have found her and so thankful for her care. From my 1st appointment with her - I knew I'd found the best physician & surgeon possible! read more

I am a 26 year old female who had to have a total Thyroidectomy in the Fall of 2016. I located Dr. Kroeker via google search and also as per a recommendation from my Endocrinologist- she is spoken very highly of within the community and as soon as I met her I could tell why. In our first appointment she went through (in detail) the surgery process and the possible outcomes of the surgery. She provided clear instructions as to how to prepare for the surgery. She addressed all of my questions and concerns (no matter how large or small)- Leaving my appointment I was confident I was in the best possible hands. On the day of my surgery, she addressed my Mother's questions and mine once again, which put us at ease going into the procedure. Dr. Kroeker regularly checked up on me post-op while I was in the hospital. She is very straightforward and has a great bed-side manner which I feel is of the utmost importance when a patient is in a vulnerable position. I would highly recommend her to anyone who is in need of this type of surgery. read more

I recently had Dr. Kroeker remove a parathyroid gland that she determined was responsible for my hypercalcemia. This corrected the problem. I cannot say enough about how pleased I am with the whole experience: In my initial visit, she took her time to get to know me; spent time explaining and showing me what was going on with this gland; laid out the options for moving forward and was collaborative in making my decision to do the surgery. Her staff are helpful, warm, informal and friendly. It feels like a healing place. She fully went over what was going to happen, which really helped to make my experience at the hospital smooth and comfortable. I had no pain afterward. She was very thorough in explaining what I needed to do for aftercare. And even on her holiday she called to check in with me to make sure I was doing well. It took only a couple of days to recover and get back to all my normal activities. If I, or anyone I know, should need surgery for either of these glands, Dr Kroeker is the one to see. read more

The experience I had with Dr. Kroeker was FIRST CLASS across the board. Our initial visit was excellent and she explained to me about the surgery and what risks that were associated with it. The rest of the procedure was explained with care and making sure I was as comfortable as possible throughout the entire process. The day of the surgery was handled very well and Dr. Kroeker was the surgeon that actually did the surgery. She was very thorough in the explanation of the medications and subscribing the correct medications. Dr. Kroeker was available after the surgery and talked to my husband who was waiting in the lobby after the surgery. I can say my experience with Dr. Kroeker was excellent and my recovery was much better than I thought it would be. I'm happy to say I had none of the very low risk side effects of the thyroid surgery and have made a full recovery. Terri B. read more

Dr Kroeker is an exceptional doctor. She removed half of my thyroid due to a large, suspicious nodule. She took her time at my consultation to explain all of my options and risks of surgery. When the hospital briefly covered the risks of surgery with me at my pre-op I laughed because Dr Kroeker had covered all of it so well there weren't any questions in my mind. Even the staff at the hospital commented on how thorough and detailed she is. After surgery she was so hands on with my care, I was very impressed. I heard nurses say to call her directly with any updates, she only rounds her own patients, and after I left the hospital she followed up with me on the phone twice and once was on a Saturday. I totally trusted her and found her beside manner remarkably professional, personable, and kind. There is no question she cares about her patients and is great at what she does. A lovely lady and an excellent Doctor. read more

I had thyroid issues and was eventually referred to Dr. Kroeker by my endocrinologist and I couldn't be happier that I was. Dr. Kroeker is extremely professional, thorough and kind. I was nervous upon hearing that I would need to have my entire thyroid removed, but she took the time to walk me through the procedure with a reference chart to where everything should be in my throat and the complications that could arise as well as the chances of them happening. She was able to do an ultrasound there in the office so she could see what was going on for her own reference and to be able to more accurately tell me what the surgery would entail. Her thoroughness made me feel 100% more comfortable having the surgery, and when the day came the hospital staff only had glowing things to say about her. Now that I've had the operation I too only have glowing things to say about her. read more

It is rare to find a doctor let alone a surgeon that will actual listen to a patient and realize they know their body better than any doctor could. I really appreciated the clarity of explanations and the time spent. My parathyroid problem could have been manifesting over several years and not even conceived of by 3 different GPs during yearly physicals. I came to doctor Kroeker with a high calcium and a high PTH having diagnosed myself with the hypercalcemia. When asked if I needed to see an endocrinologist, she said, no, all the proof I need is right here. My operation involved all 4 glands, (I've always been an overachiever), so my scar is a little larger than most and the procedure was a little more complicated, as one gland wasn't in the proper place. If I ever develop a Thyroid problem I would not hesitate to place my care in Dr. Kroeker's capable hands again. read more

After being diagnosed with thyroid cancer by a ENT, we research for the best thyroid Doctor listed in Austin .Dr Kroeker was listed very high as one of the best in this area of expertise. After a very detailed exam and explanation, we decided to have a total thyroidectomy. The results are exactly what was discussed with a total successful outcome. Dr. Kroeker treated me with great compassion the entire time we work with her in answering our countless questions putting us with total understanding and ease. She is skilled and is very compassionate, caring and extremely competent. Even now after several weeks after my surgery she is still following up with my calcium levels to insure that my body adjust to the removal of my thyroid. I would recommend Dr. Kroeker to anyone who has any thyroid concerns. You can't go wrong with Dr, Kroeker. James G. read more

It was a pleasure working with Dr. Kroeker! On my initial visit, Dr. Kroeker conducted a thorough exam including an ultrasound. Based on the results, she outlined my options. I was very impressed with the time she spent and the detail provided for the surgical option, including a sketch which highlighted the critical elements of a successful thyroidectomy. I appreciated her analytical approach to sharing information and essential elements of the decision-making process. She made it easy for me to make the right decision. Throughout the process, Dr. Kroeker made herself personally available to answer questions, address concerns, and provide timely updates. In my experience, this is a rarity and greatly appreciated! Thanks to Dr. Kroeker the surgery was executed flawlessly, and I am on the road to recovery. I highly recommend Dr. Kroeker! read more