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Most of what we cover on this show is the case FOR thyroid nodule ablation. This episode is the other side of that coin — and it's one every patient considering RFA, microwave, or nsPFA needs to hear. "Just because you have a hammer doesn't mean everything's a nail. Ablation is a tool. It's not a philosophy." Dr. David Goldenberg is Professor and Chair of the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at Penn State Health and Penn State College of Medicine. He is a head and neck surgical oncologist who has written more than 275 journal articles, 40 book chapters, and 8 books, and he leads Penn State's hands-on thyroid RFA training course. He performs thyroid surgery, thermal ablation, and nanosecond pulsed field ablation (nsPFA), so he evaluates every patient with all of those options on the table. In this episode: ✅ Why ablation has grown so popular, so fast ✅ Where the evidence is strongest, and where it's still limited ✅ When size, location, or growth pattern points to surgery instead ✅ Why ablating a large thyroid cancer would leave cancer behind ✅ Substernal goiters, airway compression, and the "danger triangle" ✅ Multinodular goiter: when one nodule can be treated and when it can't ✅ Is a nodule ever too small, or too big, to ablate? ✅ Why thermal ablation is done awake, and why that isn't cruel ✅ His decision framework, with two real-world case examples ✅ The questions to ask before you commit (including the one no one asks) ✅ A thorough pre-ablation workup: labs, ultrasound, biopsy, and laryngeal exam ✅ Why Hashimoto's is NOT a reason to remove your thyroid ✅ Why "an ultrasound is a movie, not a picture" If you've been told you're not a candidate for ablation — or you're wondering whether you are — this conversation will help you understand why. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:57 Why ablation has grown so fast 03:24 Where enthusiasm has outpaced the evidence 04:29 Offering both surgery and ablation 05:50 When size, location, and growth mean surgery 11:02 Being awake during ablation and tolerating the procedure 14:53 Multinodular goiter 16:04 Why ablating a large cancer leaves cancer behind 18:45 Dr. Goldenberg's decision framework and case examples 22:09 Is a nodule ever too small or too big? 24:20 Questions to ask before you commit 28:02 The complete pre-ablation workup 29:52 Hashimoto's and the "it's dying anyway" myth 32:00 Advice for referring physicians 35:56 Ablation is a tool, not a philosophy 37:22 Why ultrasound is a movie, not a picture 39:36 Where to find Dr. Goldenberg 🔗 Penn State Health Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (Hershey, PA) — ask about thyroid nodule ablation: https://www.pennstatehealth.org/services-treatments/radiofrequency-ablation 📌 Resources: 👉 Podcast: https://www.saveyourthyroidwithjen.com/ 👉 Patient site & Find a Physician: https://www.saveyourthyroid.org/ 👉 Private FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/saveyourthyroidnonsurgical 👉 Patient Navigation: https://www.saveyourthyroidwithjen.com/patient-navigation-services/ 💛 Support the channel: PAYPAL 👉 https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/itsmejenagain VENMO 👉 https://account.venmo.com/u/itsme_jenagain 🛍️ Affiliate links: 🌿 TOUPS AND CO: https://toupsandco.com/jen 🎙️ RIVERSIDE: https://www.riverside.fm/?via=itsmejenagain 🧴 VAN MAN: https://vanman.shop/?ref=itsmejenagain 💡 BON CHARGE: https://us.boncharge.com/?rfsn=7843863.50b9fa&shpxid=4137e8a5-8199-46cb-b71c-0f86d29324ff ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. No endorsement is given or implied for any specific product, treatment, or physician mentioned. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding your individual medical needs. 🎵 Music licensed through Soundstripe: GKLLAMF1GLKROGMQ UDCFUKGJHFQUE3WA #ThyroidNodule #ThyroidAblation #SaveYourThyroid Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Interventional radiologist Dr. Sean Golden joins the show to talk through thyroid artery embolization (TAE) — a minimally invasive treatment that cuts off blood supply to an enlarged thyroid gland instead of removing or ablating it, with patients home the same day. Dr. Golden co-built the TAE program at UW Health alongside Dr. Matthew Niemeyer, and brings a distinct perspective as a physician who came to TAE independently rather than through the more established training pathway. In this episode: ✅ What TAE is and how it compares to surgery and ablation ✅ Step-by-step: what actually happens during the procedure ✅ Recovery — what to expect in the days and weeks after ✅ UW's hybrid CT angiography suite and why it matters ✅ GE's EmboAssist technology, explained ✅ Current research: contrast deposition, shrinkage timelines, and hormone changes post-procedure ✅ Who is (and isn't) a good candidate for TAE ✅ What Dr. Golden wishes every endocrinologist knew If you've been researching non-surgical options for an enlarged thyroid or goiter, this conversation covers the clinical detail patients are usually not given. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to TAE & Dr. Sean Golden 01:29 What Is Interventional Radiology? 04:07 From Prostate to Thyroid: How Dr. Golden Got Into TAE 07:36 Building the UW TAE Program 09:47 Expanding Access in the Midwest 11:30 Walking Through the TAE Procedure Step-by-Step 14:10 How Fluoroscopy & Contrast Guide the Procedure 16:03 Choosing the Right Embolization Particles 19:09 Recovery: What to Expect After TAE 21:11 UW's Hybrid CT Angiography Suite 23:09 What Is GE's EmboAssist Technology? 27:35 Does the Roadmap Change Patient Selection? 28:17 Research: Can Contrast Predict Shrinkage? 29:48 Thyroid & Parathyroid Hormone Changes Post-TAE 31:42 Publishing Research & the PROTECT Trial 32:32 Who Is a Good Candidate for TAE? 34:03 Who Isn't a Candidate (and Stroke Risk) 36:42 The Multidisciplinary Care Team 37:50 Treating Graves' Disease with TAE 38:44 How Patients Find This Program 39:36 Results: 60% Volume Reduction Explained 42:06 Long-Term Follow-Up (5-Year Monitoring) 42:42 Where TAE Is Headed as a Field 43:37 What's Needed for Wider Physician Adoption 44:48 What Dr. Golden Wishes Endocrinologists Knew 46:33 Next Steps for Patients Considering TAE 📌 Resources: 👉 Podcast: https://www.saveyourthyroidwithjen.com/ 👉 Patient site: https://www.saveyourthyroid.org/ 👉 Private FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/saveyourthyroidnonsurgical 👉 Patient Navigation: https://www.saveyourthyroidwithjen.com/patient-navigation-services/ 💛 Support the channel: PAYPAL 👉 https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/itsmejenagain VENMO 👉 https://account.venmo.com/u/itsme_jenagain 🛍️ Affiliate links: 🌿 TOUPS AND CO: https://toupsandco.com/jen 🎙️ RIVERSIDE: https://www.riverside.fm/?via=itsmejenagain 🧴 VAN MAN: https://vanman.shop/?ref=itsmejenagain 💡 BON CHARGE: https://us.boncharge.com/?rfsn=7843863.50b9fa&shpxid=4137e8a5-8199-46cb-b71c-0f86d29324ff ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. No endorsement is given or implied for any specific product, treatment, or physician mentioned. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding your individual medical needs. 🎵 Music licensed through Soundstripe: LWEQ1ULKFKSZCJAI 1V2EQXECZBOZ1GND Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most patients with low-risk papillary thyroid cancer are told there are two paths: surgery, or active surveillance. In this quick update, I'm sharing news of a first-in-human clinical trial that's testing whether there's a third option. Researchers at Sarasota Memorial Health Care System and MD Anderson Cancer Center are evaluating nsPFA (nanosecond pulsed field ablation) — already FDA-cleared for benign thyroid nodules — to see if it can safely treat papillary thyroid microcarcinoma without surgery or thermal damage. The trial is led by Dr. Ralph Tufano (Sarasota Memorial) and Dr. Victoria Banuchi (MD Anderson), who reached out to me personally to help spread the word. You may qualify if you have: ✅ Papillary thyroid microcarcinoma ✅ Tumor smaller than 1.5cm ✅ Cancer confined to the thyroid ✅ No lymph node involvement ✅ No spread beyond the thyroid ✅ Currently a candidate for active surveillance Two enrollment sites: Sarasota, FL and Houston, TX. About 10 of 30 slots remain. Learn more or see if you qualify: 📞 (941) 917-2225 📧 [email protected] 🔗 clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07218315 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The question this community has been asking since nsPFA first appeared on this podcast has finally been answered. Does it last? Professor Stefano Spiezia conducted the first-in-human feasibility study of nsPFA for benign thyroid nodules — and in 2026 he presented the durability data at the NASIT annual meeting in Portland, Oregon. Average 74% volume reduction at up to 22 months. Zero regrowth. Zero serious adverse events. And the nodule continued to shrink throughout the entire follow-up period. Professor Spiezia is the Head of the Division of Endocrine and Ultrasound Guided Surgery at the Sea Hospital in Naples, Director of the Regional Reference Center for Thyroid Treatment, Adjunct Professor at the University of Turin, and Director of the Save Your Thyroid International School for Interventional Thyroid Procedures. In this episode: ✅ Why nsPFA is a paradigm shift — not just another energy source ✅ How it works — programming cells to die, not burning them ✅ The 22-month durability data — 74% volume reduction, zero regrowth, zero serious adverse events ✅ Why the nodule kept shrinking throughout the entire follow-up ✅ 100% patient satisfaction with cosmetic appearance, 95% overall ✅ Why the absence of fibrosis and scarring changes everything ✅ Which nodules benefit most — especially those near critical structures ✅ Why nsPFA and RFA are complementary rather than competitive ✅ The regulatory landscape — FDA cleared in the US, CE mark pending in Europe ✅ The Save Your Thyroid International School — training physicians worldwide If you have been waiting for the durability data on nsPFA before making a decision — this is the episode you have been waiting for. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Thyroid Nodule Treatments 01:04 New chapter 01:57 The Evolution of Non-Surgical Options 03:56 Understanding NSPFA: A Paradigm Shift 03:56 The Safety and Efficacy of NSPFA 15:39 Navigating Thyroid Nodule Diagnosis 44:09 Introduction to the Podcast and Resources 44:09 Navigating Thyroid Health and Community Support 🔗 Professor Spiezia & the Save Your Thyroid International School: www.sytmedical.com 🔗 nsPFA Trial at MD Anderson & Sarasota Memorial (NCT07218315): clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07218315 Contact: (941) 917-2225 or [email protected] 📌 Resources: 👉 Podcast: https://www.saveyourthyroidwithjen.com/ 👉 Patient site: https://www.saveyourthyroid.org/ 👉 Private FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/saveyourthyroidnonsurgical 👉 Patient Navigation: https://www.saveyourthyroidwithjen.com/patient-navigation-services/ ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. No endorsement is given or implied for any specific product, treatment, or physician mentioned. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding your individual medical needs. 🎵 Music licensed through Soundstripe: 1G4WWNUWW7H8MYH4 VRP5MQM1YSHICQLR 1NSDN1IASZTIWC21 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Well, better get it taken out." That was the entire conversation after my thyroid biopsy. Then I waited six weeks for pathology — six weeks so frightening I didn't tell my own parents, and spent researching cancer treatments for a disease I didn't have. Not one person told me that most thyroid nodules are benign. If you've just been told you have a thyroid nodule, this episode is the information nobody handed me. No guest this week — just the conversation I wish someone had sat down and had with me on day one. In this episode: ✅ The number nobody gives you — 90 to 95 out of every 100 thyroid nodules are benign, according to the American Thyroid Association ✅ What happens if it is cancer — why papillary thyroid cancer is one of the slowest-growing and most treatable that exists ✅ Why more than half of adults have a thyroid nodule and never know it ✅ What your ultrasound is actually measuring — risk features and TIRADS categories, not a diagnosis ✅ The Bethesda system explained, and how reliable a benign biopsy result really is ✅ Why a nodule diagnosis does not automatically mean surgery ✅ Active surveillance, radiofrequency ablation, microwave ablation, and other non-surgical options ✅ My own story — the nodule that grew to 4.5 x 7 cm, the years I lost to "take it out or leave it alone," and the outpatient procedure that shrank it by 90% and left my thyroid intact It's okay to be scared. But you should know the odds are genuinely in your favor. 📚 Sources referenced: American Thyroid Association — Clinical Thyroidology for the Public, December 2017 American Thyroid Association — Statement on ablation techniques for benign thyroid nodules, Thyroid, 2023 MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia 📌 Resources: 👉 Podcast: https://www.saveyourthyroidwithjen.com/ 👉 Patient site: https://www.saveyourthyroid.org/ 👉 Physician Finder — specialists in 50+ countries: https://www.saveyourthyroid.org/find-a-physician/ 👉 Private FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/saveyourthyroidnonsurgical 👉 Patient Navigation: https://www.saveyourthyroidwithjen.com/patient-navigation-services/ 💛 Support the show: PAYPAL: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/itsmejenagain VENMO: https://account.venmo.com/u/itsme_jenagain ⚠️ This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. No endorsement is given or implied for any specific product, treatment, or physician mentioned. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding your individual medical needs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the surgeon sitting across from you told you that your thyroid cancer is not urgent — and that you have time to think, research, and explore all your options before committing to anything? That's exactly what Dr. Melanie Goldfarb tells her patients. And she's an endocrine surgeon. Dr. Goldfarb is a fellowship-trained endocrine surgeon, Professor of Surgery, and Director of the Center for Endocrine Tumors and Disorders at St. John's Cancer Institute in Santa Monica, California. As one of the first physicians on the West Coast to offer in-office RFA, she brings a genuinely unbiased perspective — she performs surgery AND ablation, so her recommendation reflects what's right for each patient, not the limits of what she can offer. In this episode she joins Jennifer Holkem to cover the full landscape of thyroid nodule and cancer treatment — from realistic RFA expectations to a combination approach that could save half your thyroid. In this episode: What realistic RFA outcomes look like: The published definition of success is 50% volume reduction — Dr. Goldfarb achieves that 90-95% of the time but personally aims for 70-80%. Nodules under 4 to 4.5 centimeters typically need one session. Larger nodules may need more. Goiter vs. nodule — why the distinction changes everything: A goiter is diffuse thyroid overgrowth. A nodule is a distinct, delineated growth. Thermal ablation is designed for nodules, not goiters. Getting this wrong leads to the wrong treatment conversation entirely. Thyroid cancer and the 120% concept: Candidates for cancer ablation are the same patients who qualify for active surveillance — tiny papillary thyroid microcarcinomas under one centimeter, fully contained. The critical difference from benign treatment: you need 120% — the entire tumor plus a surrounding margin. Location is everything. The lobectomy + RFA combination: For patients with one dominant side that is too large for ablation alone, Dr. Goldfarb removes that side surgically while using RFA to preserve the other. An innovative approach that saves half a thyroid for the right patient. When proactive treatment makes sense: Her threshold is 3 to 3.5 centimeters. Serial ultrasounds consistently showing growth are an automatic reason to act. But not every nodule that exists needs treatment. Active surveillance is a treatment: Watching is a conscious medical decision — not inaction. And the data is clear: even if a tiny thyroid cancer grows during surveillance, long-term prognosis is no different than treating it immediately. Why thyroid cancer is almost never urgent: When a surgeon books you for surgery before you leave the office, that is scheduling efficiency — not a clinical emergency signal. True urgent thyroid cancer scenarios are genuinely rare. You have time. The future of interventional thyroidology — in one word: non-invasive. Find Dr. Goldfarb: stjohnscancer.org/endocrine — telehealth consultations available via Zoom Resources: Podcast: saveyourthyroidwithjen.com Patient site: saveyourthyroid.org Private FB group: facebook.com/groups/saveyourthyroidnonsurgical Patient Navigation: saveyourthyroidwithjen.com/patient-navigation-services Support the channel: PayPal: paypal.com/paypalme/itsmejenagain Venmo: account.venmo.com/u/itsme_jenagain Affiliate links: TOUPS AND CO: toupsandco.com/jen RIVERSIDE: riverside.fm/?via=itsmejenagain VAN MAN: vanman.shop/?ref=itsmejenagain BON CHARGE: us.boncharge.com/?rfsn=7843863.50b9fa&shpxid=4137e8a5-8199-46cb-b71c-0f86d29824ff Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. No endorsement is given or implied for any specific product, treatment, or physician mentioned. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding your individual medical needs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most patients diagnosed with a thyroid nodule are offered two options: watch it or remove it. Andy Manos, PA-C is on a mission to make sure a third option reaches every community in the country. As a physician assistant and VP of Internal Growth at North Star Vascular Interventional in Minneapolis, Andy performs thyroid radiofrequency ablation in a community-based interventional radiology clinic — no hospital required, no general anesthesia, same day in and same day out. In this episode he joins Jennifer Holkem to pull back the curtain on why so many patients are never told about nonsurgical options, how financial incentives can push physicians toward surgery, and what a single question can do to change the entire direction of a thyroid consultation. He also breaks down thyroid artery embolization using the most accessible analogy I've ever heard — a water balloon, a garden hose, and a Costco run — and explains why the sub-sternal goiter that makes surgeons nervous is exactly the case where TAE shines. In this episode: Why interventional radiology is reinventing itself as a patient-facing clinical specialtyThe financial realities that can push physicians toward surgery over ablationThe five words every thyroid patient should ask their physicianHow thyroid artery embolization works — and which nodules it's best suited forWhy RFA and surgery carry similar risks to the recurrent laryngeal nerveHow AI and the internet are becoming legitimate tools for thyroid patient advocacyWhy organ preservation is a movement happening across thyroid, uterus, and prostate care Find Andy and North Star Vascular: northstarir.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If your thyroid biopsy came back inconclusive — Bethesda 3 or 4 — you may have been told surgery is your only option. But for decades, over 70% of those surgeries revealed nodules that were actually benign. There's a better way. It's called molecular testing. And today's guest literally helped prove it works. Dr. Joshua Klopper is the Medical Director for Endocrinology at Veracyte and a nationally recognized thyroid specialist with over two decades of experience managing thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer. He was an investigator on the original clinical study that validated the Afirma Genomic Sequencing Classifier — the test that has since helped millions of patients avoid unnecessary thyroid surgery. He served on the board of the American Thyroid Association and previously served as faculty at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. ⚠️ Conflict of Interest Disclosure: Dr. Klopper is an employee of Veracyte, maker of the Afirma Genomic Sequencing Classifier discussed in this episode. In this episode, Dr. Klopper breaks down everything a patient needs to know about molecular testing — in plain language, without the jargon. If you or someone you love has been told their thyroid biopsy is inconclusive — this episode could change the conversation with your doctor. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction — The Indeterminate Thyroid Nodule Problem 01:55 Meet Dr. Joshua Klopper — Medical Director for Endocrinology at Veracyte 02:34 Understanding the Bethesda Classification System 05:38 The Human Cost of Unnecessary Thyroid Surgery 07:37 What Was the Patient Experience Before Molecular Testing? 10:18 What Is the Afirma Genomic Sequencing Classifier? 12:00 Why the Test Was Designed to Find Benign — Not Cancer 14:28 What Is a "Rule Out" Test and Why Does It Matter? 16:04 Oncocytic (Hurthle) Cells — Why They're Challenging 19:00 How Two-Thirds of Indeterminate Nodules Come Back Benign 21:27 Why It's Almost Always Safe to Pause Before Surgery 22:42 The Surgeon Bias Problem — Patients Deserve Options 25:37 How Patients Encounter Molecular Testing on Their Journey 29:43 What Happens to the Sample at Veracyte? 33:52 The 800-Patient Study — Long-Term Afirma Performance 41:24 What Does a Suspicious Afirma Result Actually Mean? 46:17 Risk of Malignancy — What the Numbers Really Mean 48:00 BRAF, RAS and Other Mutations Explained 53:30 The GRID Research Platform and Future Discovery 56:35 Molecular Testing and Ablation — What's Coming 58:33 One Message for Every Indeterminate Thyroid Patient 1:02:38 How to Learn More 1:05:56 Closing 📄 Study referenced in this episode: Outcomes of Cytologically Indeterminate Thyroid Nodules Managed With Genomic Sequencing Classifier: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38415829/ 🔗 Learn more about Afirma molecular testing: https://www.veracyte.com/tests/afirma-thyroid/providers/ 🔗 American Thyroid Association patient resources: https://www.thyroid.org 🔗 Clinical Thyroidology for Patients (ATA): https://www.thyroid.org/patient-thyroid-information/ct-for-patients/ 📌 Resources: 👉 Podcast: https://www.saveyourthyroidwithjen.com/ 👉 Patient site: https://www.saveyourthyroid.org/ 👉 Private FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/saveyourthyroidnonsurgical 👉 Patient Navigation: https://www.saveyourthyroidwithjen.com/p/patient-navigation-services/ 💛 Support the channel: PAYPAL 👉 https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/itsmejenagain VENMO 👉 https://account.venmo.com/u/itsme_jenagain ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. No endorsement is given or implied for any specific product, treatment, or physician mentioned. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding your individual medical needs. 🎵 Music: Y4XYU0XSPNNR5RI3 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you know if the doctor performing your thyroid RFA is truly qualified? It's the question every patient asks — and until now, there hasn't been a clear answer. A medical license isn't enough. General board certification isn't enough. And with RFA growing rapidly in the US, the gap between trained specialists and general providers is becoming a real patient safety issue. That's exactly why two of the most accomplished names in thyroid ablation have spent years building a solution. Dr. Jules Aljammal is the very first endocrinologist to perform thyroid RFA for benign thyroid nodules in the United States. Dr. Shahzad Ahmad has performed the highest number of RFA procedures of any endocrinologist in the country, achieving multiple North American firsts along the way. Together, they are the founder and president-elect of NASOIE — the North American Society of Interventional Endocrinology — and the architects of the first formal certification program for RFA providers in the US. In this episode, they break down exactly what that certification requires, what it means for patients, and what questions you should be asking your provider right now — whether they're certified or not. In this episode: ✅ Why a standard medical license is not enough to safely perform thyroid RFA ✅ What the new NASOIE certification requires — including the 50-case minimum and outcome review ✅ The two certification levels: Certificate of Interventional Endocrinology and Master of Interventional Endocrinology ✅ The three questions to ask any prospective RFA physician before your procedure ✅ Why treating thyroid cancer with ablation requires a different mindset — and significantly more experience ✅ Why continuity of care after ablation is non-negotiable ✅ Where to find certified physicians and how NASOIE is building that map ✅ Where RFA adoption is headed in the next five to ten years If you are currently searching for an RFA provider — or you want to verify that the one you've already found is truly qualified — this episode is essential listening. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 01:00 Meet Dr. Ahmad & Dr. Aljammal — The Pioneers Behind US Thyroid RFA 03:38 The Birth of NASOIE & Bringing RFA to the United States 08:05 The Wild West Problem — Why Standardization Is Urgently Needed 09:37 Patient Safety & the Real Risks of Untrained Providers 12:30 The 50-Case Minimum & What Certification Requires 16:08 How New Providers Can Build Toward Certification 17:45 Ongoing Education & What Happens After Certification 20:20 How Patients Can Find Certified Physicians 24:15 Why Anecdotes Aren't Enough — The Case for Verifiable Standards 26:32 Top 3 Questions to Ask Your RFA Doctor Before Your Procedure 31:32 Volume, Published Outcomes & PubMed Transparency 33:09 Treating Thyroid Cancer with Ablation — A Different Mindset 38:45 Knowing When NOT to Perform Ablation 41:50 Continuity of Care — Why Follow-Up Is Non-Negotiable 42:35 Where Is RFA Headed in the Next Five Years? 45:36 How to Find Dr. Ahmad & Dr. Aljammal 🔗 Find Dr. Shahzad Ahmad: Endocrinology Center of Utah: thyroidradiofrequency.com 🔗 Find Dr. Jules Aljammal: Thyroid Clinic Utah: thyroidclinicutah.com Thyroid Clinic Washington: thyroidclinicwashingon.com 🔗 NASOIE — North American Society of Interventional Endocrinology: nasoie.com ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. No endorsement is given or implied for any specific product, treatment, or physician mentioned. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding your individual medical needs. 🎵 Music: Y4XYU0XSPNNR5RI3 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does the future of thyroid care look like when the person describing it helped build the present? Dr. Eren Berber is a Professor of Surgery and Director of Robotic Endocrine Surgery at Cleveland Clinic. He performed some of the first robotic thyroid operations in the United States, brought thyroid RFA to Ohio, and has authored more than 350 scientific papers. He has spent his entire career at the forefront of thyroid innovation — and in this episode, he gives one of the most candid, comprehensive assessments of the current treatment landscape that Save Your Thyroid with Jennifer Holkem has ever aired. He's not selling any single approach. He performs conventional thyroidectomy, robotic surgery, and RFA — all at high volume. And his honest take on all three will surprise you. On robotic surgery: the only real advantage is avoiding a scar in the neck. Outcomes are not superior to conventional surgery. He pioneered it and he'll tell you that himself. On ablation: he was skeptical initially. Four years of personally following every patient he treated changed his mind entirely. Over 90% success rate in his first 100 patients, less than 5% complications, and hot nodules returning to normal thyroid function within a month. On the future: ablation technologies are evolving faster than most patients realize. A nanopulse ablation clinical trial is launching. AI is being incorporated into thyroid surgery. And the ATA guidelines now formally include ablation as a standard procedure for appropriate patients. On insurance calling RFA investigational: FDA cleared since 2018, CPT billing code active since 2025, guidelines updated. That excuse, in his words, is on borrowed time. In this episode: Why robotic thyroid surgery is not necessarily better than conventional surgery — from the surgeon who pioneered itHow Dr. Berber counsels patients between ablation and surgeryWhy treating nodules earlier — while they're still small — produces dramatically better outcomesCleveland Clinic's outcomes from their first 100 RFA patientsHow to navigate a large institution and get to the right expertThe nanopulse ablation trial coming to Cleveland ClinicWhy 98% of thyroid surgeons in the US are not high volume — and why that mattersHow to look up your surgeon's published outcomes on PubMed before your appointmentFind Dr. Berber: clevelandclinic.org — search Dr. Eren Berber and contact his office directly. Telehealth consultations available for out-of-state patients. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Navigating an Indeterminate Thyroid Nodule Diagnosis with Chelsie Paulson What do you do when your thyroid biopsy results leave you with more questions than answers? In this episode of Save Your Thyroid, I am joined by Chelsie Paulson, a vocal advocate and active member of our patient community. After an Afirma molecular test came back with a 50/50 inconclusive result, Chelsie was told that removing her thyroid was her only option. Instead of accepting lifelong thyroid hormone replacement, Chelsie took her health into her own hands. She shares her incredible journey of advocating for herself, canceling her surgery just days before, and traveling to New Orleans for Microwave Ablation with Dr. Emad Kandil. We also discuss how she integrated holistic lifestyle changes with a specialist in California to support her body's natural healing process, ultimately leading to massive nodule shrinkage and a benign pathology result! If you are sitting in the waiting room of uncertainty with an indeterminate nodule, this episode is here to give you hope and remind you that you have choices. Learn more about Dr. Emad Kandil and his practice: 🔗 https://kandilablationcenter.com/ ⏱️ Episode Chapters: 0:00 - Welcome to Save Your Thyroid 02:05 - Discovering the Nodule: Symptoms & First Biopsy 07:27 - The 50/50 Afirma Result & The Push for Surgery 15:07 - A 2 AM Email: Finding Dr. Kandil & Canceling Surgery 19:19 - Experiencing Microwave Ablation in New Orleans 27:27 - Holistic Healing & Integrative Oncology in California 28:52 - Post-Procedure Nodule Shrinkage & Benign Results 38:59 - How Chelsie is Feeling Today 44:32 - Misconceptions About Ablation & Final Advice for Patients Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Save Your Thyroid for more interviews with the world’s leading experts in thyroid-saving technology. Resources: 👉 Podcast: https://www.saveyourthyroidwithjen.com/ 👉 Patient site: https://www.saveyourthyroid.org/ 👉 Private FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/saveyourthyroidnonsurgical 👉 Patient Navigation: https://www.saveyourthyroidwithjen.com/p/patient-navigation-services/ Support the channel: PAYPAL👉 https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/itsmejenagain VENMO👉 https://account.venmo.com/u/itsme_jenagain Affiliate links: 🌿 TOUPS AND CO: https://toupsandco.com/jen 🎙️ RIVERSIDE: https://www.riverside.fm/?via=itsmejenagain 🧴 VAN MAN: https://vanman.shop/?ref=itsmejenagain 💡 BON CHARGE: https://us.boncharge.com/?rfsn=7843863.50b9fa&shpxid=4137e8a5-8199-46cb-b71c-0f86d29924ff ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. No endorsement is given or implied for any specific product, treatment, or physician mentioned. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding your individual medical needs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can you shrink a thyroid nodule by 82% while keeping your thyroid intact? In today’s episode, I am joined by Emily Saska, a patient who refused to accept a total thyroidectomy as her only option. When Emily discovered an "angry," rapidly growing 3.8cm thyroid nodule, she was steered toward the operating room. Instead, she chose a "needle off the record" moment and sought out nsPFA (nanosecond Pulsed Field Ablation). Join us as Emily walks us through her experience with this cutting-edge, non-thermal technology performed by Dr. Emad Kandil. From a "nothing burger" recovery to stunning clinical results, Emily’s story is a powerful testament to the importance of patient advocacy and the life-changing potential of thyroid-saving technology. In this episode, we explore: The Surgery Referral: Why Emily questioned the "standard of care" and how she found the courage to seek a second opinion. What is nsPFA? An inside look at nanosecond Pulsed Field Ablation—a non-thermal alternative for those who want to avoid the risks of heat-based treatments. The "Birthday Band-Aid": Emily’s step-by-step account of the procedure day and why her recovery was so incredibly fast. Proven Results: How Emily achieved a 65% reduction in just six weeks and an 82% reduction by her seven-month follow-up. Empowering Advice: Why you should never "blindly trust" a surgical referral without exploring the latest nonsurgical tools first. If you’ve been told that surgery is your only path, this episode is for you. Your thyroid is a vital organ—learn how you can save it. Connect with Our Guest & Expert: Dr. Emad Kandil’s Practice: https://kandilablationcenter.com/ Previous episodes on nsPFA (nPulse): Dr. Tufano: https://youtu.be/ihkp3tmLqXI?si=xGrWeS4OavCM59qF Dr. Harding: https://youtu.be/1eG6x0W9CW0?si=wl1maW_QS5SEwNP_ Dr. Kandil: https://youtu.be/GWa-xs9iO-s?si=vR_ZRcDN0WuBqK1a Resources: 👉 Podcast: https://www.saveyourthyroidwithjen.com/ 👉 Patient site: https://www.saveyourthyroid.org/ 👉 Private FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/saveyourthyroidnonsurgical 👉 Patient Navigation: https://www.saveyourthyroidwithjen.com/p/patient-navigation-services/ Support the Show: Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/itsmejenagain Venmo: https://account.venmo.com/u/itsme_jenagain ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. No endorsement is given or implied for any specific product, treatment, or physician mentioned. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding your individual medical needs. Keywords: Thyroid Nodule, nsPFA, Nanosecond Pulsed Field Ablation, Thyroid Ablation, Dr. Emad Kandil, Thyroidectomy Alternative, Non-Surgical Thyroid Treatment, Save Your Thyroid, Thyroid Nodule Shrinkage, Patient Advocacy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you being told that a thyroidectomy is your only option for a growing thyroid nodule? Dr. Ian Orozco is here to change that with the launch of his new private practice, The Thyroid Institute of Utah. In this episode of Save Your Thyroid, we are challenging the status quo of traditional thyroid care and exploring the minimally invasive revolution of Interventional Endocrinology. Join host Jennifer Holkem as she sits down with board-certified endocrinologist Dr. Ian Orozco, a leading expert in Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) in the Intermountain West. Together, they discuss his transition to a specialized private clinic in Provo, Utah, and how non-surgical options like RFA are helping patients shrink benign nodules, preserve their thyroid function, and avoid lifelong hormone replacement. Whether you are actively navigating a new diagnosis, seeking alternatives to the scalpel, or considering traveling out-of-state for expert care, this conversation is packed with the insights you need to make an informed, empowered decision. In this episode, we cover:   The Thyroid Institute of Utah: Why Dr. Orozco opened a single-focus practice dedicated entirely to modern thyroid care.   Understanding RFA: How Radiofrequency Ablation works to treat symptomatic hot and cold thyroid nodules without surgery.   Navigating the Hurdles: The truth about insurance coverage, Medicare codes, and how to advocate for yourself.   The Future of Treatment: Emerging technologies, ethanol ablation for cysts, and why the "wait and see" approach is becoming a thing of the past. Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Save Your Thyroid for more interviews with the world’s leading experts in thyroid-saving technology. ⏱️ Episode Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to a New Era in Thyroid Care 02:35 Dr. Ian Orozco's Journey and Philosophy 06:57 The Importance of Collaboration in Thyroid Treatment 10:35 Understanding Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) 20:17 The Benefits of RFA Over Traditional Surgery 27:52 Expanding Treatment Options and Innovations in Thyroid Care 33:52 How to Connect with Dr. Orozco for Treatment 35:49 Empowerment in Patient Care 36:45 Navigating Insurance Challenges 39:45 The Future of Interventional Endocrinology 42:49 Emerging Technologies in Thyroid Treatment 48:24 Lightning Round: Insights and Advice 53:52 Final Thoughts on Patient Empowerment Resources: 👉 Podcast: https://www.saveyourthyroidwithjen.com/ 👉 Patient site: https://www.saveyourthyroid.org/ 👉 Private FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/saveyourthyroidnonsurgical 👉 Patient Navigation: https://www.saveyourthyroidwithjen.com/p/patient-navigation-services/ Support the channel: PAYPAL👉 https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/itsmejenagain VENMO👉 https://account.venmo.com/u/itsme_jenagain Affiliate links: 🌿 TOUPS AND CO: https://toupsandco.com/jen 🎙️ RIVERSIDE: https://www.riverside.fm/?via=itsmejenagain 🧴 VAN MAN: https://vanman.shop/?ref=itsmejenagain 💡 BON CHARGE: https://us.boncharge.com/?rfsn=7843863.50b9fa&shpxid=4137e8a5-8199-46cb-b71c-0f86d29924ff ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. No endorsement is given or implied for any specific product, treatment, or physician mentioned. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding your individual medical needs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode Title: Trading the Scalpel for a Needle: Thyroid RFA with Surgeon Dr. Jacques Gaudet Episode Summary: What happens when a highly trained Head and Neck Surgeon decides that the best tool for a thyroid nodule isn't a scalpel? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Jacques Gaudet, a board-certified Otolaryngologist at Southern ENT Associates. Dr. Gaudet shares his journey from training in the resource-scarce aftermath of Hurricane Katrina to becoming the second physician in Louisiana to offer Thyroid Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA). We discuss why he views himself primarily as a patient advocate, the critical role of advanced ultrasound expertise in performing safe RFA, and how he helps patients navigate the anxiety of a new nodule diagnosis. If you’ve been told to "watch and wait" or that a total thyroidectomy is your only option, this conversation will equip you with the knowledge to advocate for your own thyroid health and explore minimally invasive alternatives. In This Episode, We Cover:   The Making of an Advocate: How a "trial by fire" medical residency post-Hurricane Katrina shaped Dr. Gaudet's resourceful, patient-first approach to medicine.   The Surgeon-Sonographer Advantage: Why a surgeon's intimate knowledge of neck anatomy combined with expert ultrasound skills is crucial for safe and effective RFA.   Redefining Success: Why complete disappearance of a nodule isn't always the goal, and how RFA dramatically improves cosmetic and compressive symptoms.   Navigating the "Gray Zone": How to manage anxiety when diagnosed with an indeterminate nodule, and why "we're going to win" is the mindset you need.   Accessible Care: How bringing cutting-edge non-surgical options to smaller communities like Thibodaux, Raceland, and Houma is changing the landscape of thyroid care. Episode Chapters: 0:00 Introduction to Patient Advocacy in Thyroid Care 1:26 Impact of Hurricane Katrina on Medical Practice 5:05 The Role of a Patient Advocate 7:40 Shifting Perspectives on Thyroid Surgery 9:09 Bringing Radiofrequency Ablation to Louisiana 12:47 Quality of Life and Non-Surgical Options 14:35 Importance of Ultrasound Expertise 17:08 Navigating Thyroid Anatomy in Procedures 20:35 Patient Stories and Building Trust 23:15 Comforting Patients with New Procedures 27:07 Measuring Success in Thyroid Treatments 30:04 The Evolution of Thyroid Care 34:57 Advice for Patients with Thyroid Nodules Connect with Dr. Jacques Gaudet: 🌐 Website: Southern ENT Associates 📍 Locations: Thibodaux, Raceland, and Houma, Louisiana Support the channel: Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Save Your Thyroid for more interviews with the world’s leading experts in thyroid-saving technology.   PayPal: paypal.me/itsmejenagain   Venmo: @itsme_jenagain Partner Links & Discounts: 🌿 Toups and Co: toupsandco.com/jen 🎙️ Riverside: riverside.fm/?via=itsmejenagain 🧴 Van Man: vanman.shop/?ref=itsmejenagain 💡 Bon Charge: us.boncharge.com/?rfsn=7843863.50b9fa&shpxid=4137e8a5-8199-46cb-b71c-0f86d29924ff Patient Resources: 👉 Podcast Website: saveyourthyroidwithjen.com 👉 Patient Education Site: saveyourthyroid.org 👉 Private Facebook Group: Join the Community 👉 Patient Navigation Services: Book a Consult Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. No endorsement is given or implied for any specific product, treatment, or physician mentioned. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding your individual medical needs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can You Shrink a Massive Goiter Without Surgery? Anne’s TAE Success Story Can a grapefruit-sized goiter be treated without a total thyroidectomy? In this episode of Save Your Thyroid, Jennifer Holkem sits down with Anne Moeller to discuss her transformative journey undergoing Thyroid Artery Embolization (TAE). After being told her large multinodular goiter required major surgery, Anne advocated for an organ-preserving alternative that changed everything. If you’ve been told your goiter is "too big" for RFA or that surgery is your only option, this episode is for you. In This Episode, We Cover: -The "Grapefruit" Goiter: Anne describes the physical pressure, breathing difficulties, and cosmetic concerns of living with a large cervical goiter. -Canceling the Surgery: Why Anne walked away from a scheduled thyroidectomy to pursue a non-surgical path. -The Power of TAE: How Thyroid Artery Embolization works to "starve" nodules and shrink massive growths without a neck incision. -Patient Advocacy: How Anne navigated the UK and US medical systems to find Dr. Juan Camacho. -Life After TAE: The recovery process and the emotional impact of preserving her thyroid function. Resources Mentioned: -Dr. Juan Camacho Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqKPESXhEkM Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction: Meet Anne Moeller 03:15 - Growing a massive goiter: The physical & emotional toll 08:45 - The "Surgery Only" ultimatum from doctors 12:30 - Discovering TAE: Finding an organ-preserving alternative 18:50 - Meeting Dr. Juan Camacho & Canceling the Thyroidectomy 25:10 - The TAE Procedure: What does it actually feel like? 32:45 - Recovery & Results: Breathing easier and visible shrinking 41:00 - Jennifer’s Final Thoughts: Why your thyroid is worth saving Support the channel: PAYPAL👉https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/itsmejenagain VENMO👉https://account.venmo.com/u/itsme_jenagain Affiliate links: TOUPS AND CO👉https://toupsandco.com/jen RIVERSIDE👉https://www.riverside.fm/?via=itsmejenagain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.