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Patient Education

Thyroid Learning Library

Longer format reading about many common thyroid conditions and treatments: click on a links to the right.

Frequently Asked Questions

Click on a thumbnail below to learn more about whether a minimally invasive therapy might be right for you!

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Radiofrequency, microwave, and laser ablation may be an effective way to treat your thyroid nodule and preserve normal thyroid function. Find out more!


How often is thyroid hormone replacement required after thyroid surgery? Can a minimally invasive method preserve your thyroid function? Learn more here!


Learn more about RFA--the most frequently used and most effective minimally invasive thermal ablation method.


RFA should be a very well tolerated procedure and discomfort during and after your treatment should be easily managed . Learn more here! 


Insurance coverage for RFA should eventually be routine, but until then, costs are likely to be your responsibility. Learn more about insurance coverage here.


Preserving thyroid function is one of the most important advantages of minimally invasive treatments. Learn more here!


How to ensure that a minimally invasive treatment is right for you, and what to do if it isn't!


Thyroid artery embolization is an exciting new minimally invasive treatment option for thyroid goiters and nodules too large for treatment with RFA and other methods. Learn more here!

When performed by an expert, RFA and other minimally invasive therapies are safe, but no procedure is ever risk-free. Learn more about potential risks associated with treatment and what to discuss with your treating physician!


NASIT is an organization for both patients and physicians. Learn more about what we do, who we are, and why we want to help!


Among the minimally invasive treatments, RFA is usually safest and most effective but there are other treatments that work too. Learn more here! 


Learn how minimally invasive methods can be used to treat benign thyroid nodules, hyperfunctioning nodules that cause hyperthyroidism, and even small thyroid cancers.

Here is a brief overview of how the RFA procedure is performed. Find out more about the step-by-steps right here!


RFA is usually done as an outpatient procedure, while you're comfortable and awake!  General anesthesia is not usually necessary. Learn more about what to expect during your RFA!


Minimally invasive treatment methods may be an effective alternative to surgery for some small thyroid cancers. Learn more here!


When should a minimally invasive method like RFA be considered for treatment of recurrent thyroid cancer? You can find answers here!


Volume reduction of 60%-90% is typical at 1 year following a thyroid nodule RFA.

Toxic" thyroid nodules that cause hyperthyroidism can also be effectively treated, restoring normal thyroid function. Learn more about what you can expect following treatment.


Though RFA and other minimally invasive treatments can be repeated, they usually do not need to be! Learn more here!


RFA and other minimally invasive procedures can eliminate overactive nodules that cause hyperthyroidism and can get you off of anti-thyroid drugs like methimazole and PTU. Learn more here!


After RFA or another minimally invasive therapy, your body does the clean up that leads to size reduction and other benefits. Learn more here!


After RFA or another minimally invasive treatment, you'll need follow up. Learn more about what you'll need to do following your minimally invasive treatment!


Surgery and minimally invasive therapies are not the same thing! Learn more about specific advantages and disadvantages of each treatment here!

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