Brittle, thinning hair and weak nails can indicate that your thyroid is facing problems. After a doctor examines your throat, they can recommend radiofrequency ablation to remove the thyroid nodule or goiter. Thyroid Radiofrequency Ablation Newport is a minimally invasive procedure that uses radiofrequency energy to shrink the size of thyroid nodules.
Since the procedure is non-surgical, it causes no scarring and reduces recovery time. The process can treat various thyroid problems, including nodules, an enlarged thyroid, and cancer. During the consultation, your doctor will discuss the details of the procedure and how to prepare for it.
Who is the right candidate for the procedure?
You are the right candidate for the procedure if you have thyroid nodules, goiters, or thyroid cancer. However, your specialist might not recommend radiofrequency ablation if the thyroid is large and near vital structures like vocal cords and blood vessels. If you are pregnant or have a regular heartbeat, your doctor might not recommend the procedure.
How to prepare for the procedure
During the initial visit to your doctor’s office, they will give you guidelines on preparing for the treatment. The discussion will include your medical history and the current medications you use if you are under treatment. On the day of the procedure, your specialist will expect you to be clean and free of makeup in the treatment area.
What happens during the treatment?
Before your specialist can begin the procedure, they will administer a local anesthetic to ease pain and discomfort. Once you are relaxed and the numbing agent has taken effect, they will insert a probe into your thyroid nodule, which will transmit the radiofrequency energy. You will experience a warming sensation as the heat energy targets the cells.
Since it is an outpatient procedure, you can go home after the treatment. The duration of the procedure will depend on the size of the thyroid nodule. Most treatments can take between 30 minutes and one hour.
Recovery
After the treatment, you might experience bruising or minor swelling at the treatment site. Your specialist might prescribe you over-the-counter medications to deal with the pain. The neck pain or difficulty swelling can temporarily affect your diet and weaken your voice.
You should rest for around 72 hours to help your body heal and recover quickly. You should avoid activities that might stress your neck muscles during the resting period. You can resume your normal activities after 72 hours. If you have a thyroid nodule, you will experience a reduction in size within a month, and with time, it will disappear altogether.
When to see a doctor
You should contact your doctor if you have a painful or noticeable lump in your neck. Your specialist will perform the necessary tests before offering the thyroid radiofrequency ablation treatment to reduce the swelling.
If you have a painful swelling on your neck that affects your ability to swallow, visit Dr. Sean P. Nikravan, MD, FACE, for a thyroid radiofrequency ablation procedure. The available endocrinologists and staff will evaluate your condition before offering individualized treatment. Call or schedule your appointment online and restore your thyroid function.
