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The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the front of your neck, near the base of your throat. Though a small gland, the thyroid has a big responsibility in maintaining your body’s regular metabolism.
It makes the thyroid hormones that help your body to use energy, stay warm, and keep your brain, heart, muscles, and other organs working as they should. Your thyroid gland is essential to life.
A thyroid nodule is a solid or fluid-filled lump (unusual growth) in the thyroid gland. It is a very common entity in the United States, affecting around 20 million people. 1
Fortunately, most thyroid nodules are not cancerous (benign) and do not cause any problems. However, some nodules can become enlarged and lead to unwanted symptoms.
Swelling at the Base of the Neck
Hoarse Voice
Coughing
Difficulty Breathing
Dizziness
Your doctor can detect a thyroid nodule by examining your neck and feel your thyroid gland.
A thyroid function test is a blood test to measure the level of thyroid hormones (T3 / T4) and thyroid-stimulating hormones within the bloodstream.
Ultrasound is the most commonly used imaging modality to evaluate your thyroid. It uses sound waves to produce an image of your thyroid gland on the screen. It is also used to guide procedures such as fine-needle aspiration biopsy or RFA.
A fine-needle aspiration biopsy takes samples from your thyroid nodule for microscopic evaluation. It is the most accurate test to determine whether a nodule is cancerous or benign.3
A thyroid scan uses nuclear medicine imaging to evaluate the functions of your thyroid gland.
Discuss your problems with an RFA-trained Thyroid Specialist. You could end your pain with this incision-free, non-surgical procedure.
If your thyroid nodule is benign (non-cancerous) and not causing symptoms, your doctor may suggest simply watching your condition with regular physical and ultrasound examinations. You may never need treatment if your benign thyroid nodule remains unchanged.
Your doctor may prescribe antithyroid medication for you if your thyroid is making too much thyroid hormone than your body needs. These drugs block the formation of thyroid hormone by the thyroid gland.
Your doctor may prescribe hormone therapy for you if your thyroid cannot make enough thyroid hormone to sustain your body's needs. The goal is to replicate your normal thyroid function closely.
All or part of your thyroid gland can be surgically removed if the nodule is too large and symptomatic. some patients develop hypothyroidism following partial thyroid surgery, requiring lifelong medication. This is especially true if you had your entire thyroid gland removed.
You deserve to be comfortable and have peace of mind from your thyroid nodules. Today, there are treatment options that are far less invasive than removing your thyroid!
Discover local experts for Thyroid RFA and Uterine RFA (Transvaginal) procedures. Our platform connects you with nearby specialists and clinics, ensuring you receive expert care and the most advanced treatment options available.
Our physician locator is designed to help you easily find STARmed-trained RFA specialists across the USA and internationally. Our mission is to bring advanced, minimally invasive radiofrequency ablation treatment options closer to you.
You are taking a big step by exploring your treatment options. You are not alone. Many other people were searching for the same answers too. Many of these individuals chose RFA.
