Where informed patients make confident treatment decisions.
Save Your Thyroid with Jennifer Holkem
Save Your Thyroid with Jennifer Holkem
Thyroid nodules impact 70 percent of adults in their lifetime. The standard of care is surgical removal of half or all of the gland. But in recent years, nonsurgical treatment options have become available. Hi, my name is Jennifer Holkem and I advocate for fellow patients suffering with this very common condition. I sit down with patients and physicians and discuss life with thyroid nodules, the journey from diagnosis to treatment, and how to save your thyroid through nonsurgical advances in medicine.
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June 17, 2025

Toxic Thyroid Nodules: RFA vs. RAI

Toxic Thyroid Nodules: RFA vs. RAI

What Patients Need to Know with Dr. Ian Orozco

Toxic Thyroid Nodules: RFA vs. RAI—What’s the Difference?

In this episode, endocrinologist Dr. Ian Orozco joins Jennifer Holkem to break down the two main non-surgical treatment options for toxic thyroid nodules: radioactive iodine (RAI) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Learn how these treatments work, who they’re right for, and what every patient needs to know before choosing a path. If you've been told surgery is your only option, this episode is a must-watch.

🔹 What is a toxic thyroid nodule?

🔹 RFA vs. RAI: key differences, benefits, and risks

🔹 How to preserve thyroid function and avoid unnecessary surgery

🔹 Real-world considerations: lifestyle, fertility, and recovery

🔹 Why the experience of your provider matters

Season 6 Medicine Radiofrequency Ablation Radioactive Iodine

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Thyroid Nodules and Treatments

03:00 Understanding Toxic Thyroid Nodules

06:03 Treatment Options: RFA vs RAI

09:13 Radioactive Iodine: Administration and Effects

12:09 Patient Considerations for Radioactive Iodine

14:56 Radiofrequency Ablation: A New Approach

17:50 Comparing RFA and Surgery

20:59 Recovery and Lifestyle Considerations

32:47 Effectiveness of RFA vs. Traditional Treatments

38:00 Nuances in Treatment for Toxic Nodules

43:44 Understanding RFA Risks and Misconceptions

46:56 The Role of RFA in Modern Treatment

52:50 Future Directions for RFA and Thyroid Treatments

Learn more about Dr. Ian Orozco:

https://ianorozcomd.com/

Thank you to the sponsor of this episode, Cambridge Interventional:

https://www.cambridgeinterventional.com/

Disclaimer: None of the statements made in this or any other video by "Its me Jen again" should be considered medical advice.

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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/

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