Thyroid glands are small hormonal glands just below your neck. Thyroid nodules are stiff mutated cells that develop when solid lumps or swelling start forming on your thyroid glands. The major cause of thyroid nodules is the overgrowth or abnormal development of cells in the thyroid glands. Thyroid glands utilize iodine, commonly found in table salt, to produce the hormone thyroxin.
Different thyroid nodules have different treatment procedures, depending on the form of the nodules and the stage of development. Benign thyroid nodules, non-cancerous, have a different treatment process from malignant thyroid nodules.
What can you do to treat thyroid nodules effectively? This article will look at the two most common methods of treating thyroid nodules, while contrasting them.
What is Thyroidectomy?
Thyroid glands are responsible for production of the hormone that controls the overall functional metabolisms in your body, the thyroxin hormone. Thyroid nodules affect the production of the hormone thyroxin, which in turn slows or accelerates the body’s metabolisms.
A thyroidectomy procedure is the process of removing thyroid nodules surgically. The most common type of thyroid nodules (those treated through thyroidectomy) are the malignant thyroid nodules. Malignant thyroid nodules are the cancerous nodules that are responsible for the development of thyroid cancer and, in some rare cases, throat cancer.
Thyroidectomy can also be used to treat hyperthyroidism, an overactive thyroid gland, which produces excess thyroxin. Massive inflammation and excess enlargement of the thyroid gland, goiter, is treated by thyroidectomy. The thyroidectomy procedure may include the complete removal of the thyroid glands or removal of the developing thyroid lumps.
Thyroidectomy Procedure
Like in any other surgical procedure, preparation and prior medical tests are required to establish the procedure and possible alternative treatments. The endocrinologist Michigan will carry out fundamental blood tests that will help establish the level of thyroxin hormones in your body. These tests will assist in examining the exact effects of the thyroid nodules in your body.
A biopsy is necessary to assess the nature of the thyroid nodules. Sampling the nodule cells is done by extracting some of the nodule tissue using a thin needle.
Surgery is done under normal procedures, where the endocrinologist administers anesthesia to numb you. The thyroid nodules are accessed through a thin incision in the frontal part of the neck. For a total thyroidectomy, the doctor will remove the thyroid glands and the nodules together.
What is Thyroid Radiofrequency Ablation?
Ablation refers to the use of heat and reactants for medical purposes. Thyroid radiofrequency ablation refers to the removal of thyroid nodules by use of heat. Endocrinologists use radio waves that generate heat and help shrink the thyroid nodules.
Thyroid radiofrequency ablation is mainly used to treat benign thyroid nodules and enlarged thyroid glands. Overactive thyroid glands are also shrunk and corrected using thyroid ablation. Chemical ablation, using alcohol-based chemicals, is preferred over radiofrequency ablation because it causes less tissue inflammation.
Generally, thyroid inflammation is safer than thyroidectomy, and leaves less tissue damage and scarring after healing. Thyroid ablation is a very fast procedure with quality outcomes. The patient can have the thyroid ablation treatment and walk home on the same day with minimal medical complications.
Thyroid Radiofrequency Ablation Procedure
The endocrinologist usually sterilizes the laser needle entry point and administers anesthesia. The needle emitting laser beams is directed towards the thyroid nodules through the guidance of an ultrasound.
The laser beam is concentrated on the thyroid nodule. The heat generated on the nodule shrinks and reduces its size significantly within minutes. Once the required thyroid gland size is attained, the doctor removes the laser needle and covers the entry point with a small bandage.
Common Side Effects of Thyroidectomy and Thyroid Ablation
The most common health side effects of the two procedures are inflammation of the thyroid area, nausea, and increased blood pressure. Thyroidectomy often leaves permanent scars on the patient and, in some cases, permanent removal of the thyroid glands.
Conclusion
Thyroid glands infections cause massive health complications, such as development of thyroid cancer. Proper diagnosis is done to establish the type of thyroid nodules that are developing and the most preferred treatment method. Understanding the treatment procedures and their possible long-term consequences will help you make an informed decision on the treatment you seek.
