Toxic Nodule Triumphs: Thyroid RFA Success Stories with Dr. Jules Aljammal
SAVE YOUR THYROID with Jennifer Holkem
Anxious, sweaty, heart racing, and losing weight? If this sounds like you, you may have hyperthyroidism caused by a toxic thyroid nodule. Here’s what you need to know.
Welcome back to Save Your Thyroid with Jennifer Holkem, where we dive deep into the latest advancements in thyroid nodule care and patient-centered solutions!
If you’re new here, you might not know that thyroid nodules affect as many as 70–80% of adults. Many people with nodules, cysts, or even thyroid cancer are often told that surgery is their only option. But is surgery always the best choice—and more importantly, is it the right one for you?
Today, we’re exploring one of the first nonsurgical thyroid treatments to become available in the U.S.—radiofrequency ablation (RFA). And we’re thrilled to welcome back Dr. Jules Aljammal, one of the first two endocrinologists in North America to perform thyroid RFA.
For over six years, Dr. Aljammal has been using this innovative, minimally invasive procedure to help patients avoid surgery and preserve their thyroid gland. In this episode, we’re focusing specifically on toxic thyroid nodules, sometimes referred to as “hot nodules”—a condition where nodules produce excess thyroid hormones and can cause significant symptoms.
We’ll also hear firsthand from two patients about their journeys with toxic nodules and how RFA made a difference in their lives. And don’t miss the end of the episode, where Dr. Aljammal shares an exciting update about his growing practice.
🎧 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
What exactly is a toxic thyroid nodule?
How does it differ from other types of nodules?
What symptoms do patients typically experience?
What are the treatment options—medication, RFA, or surgery?
Can toxic nodules turn into cancer, or are they mostly benign?
Hear from 2 patients about their experience with toxic nodules and treatment with RFA.
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What is this podcast and blog all about?
To my subscribers, welcome back! If you’re new, welcome to Save Your Thyroid with Jennifer Holkem, a podcast and blog all about thyroid nodules. For the past 6 years, I have advocated for fellow patients suffering with this very common condition.
Thyroid nodules impact 70% of adults in their lifetime, and the standard of care is surgical removal of half or all of the gland. But in recent years, safe and effective non-surgical treatment options have become available.
In this podcast and blog, I sit down with patients and physicians to discuss life with thyroid nodules, treatment options, and how to save the thyroid whenever possible.
What is RFA—and How Does It Work?
Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive procedure performed under ultrasound guidance with local anesthesia. A thin probe delivers heat directly into the thyroid nodule, shrinking it without surgery. This approach helps many patients avoid general anesthesia, thyroid removal, and lifelong hormone replacement therapy.
Understanding Toxic Thyroid Nodules
Dr. Aljammal breaks down:
What toxic (or “hot”) nodules are and how they differ from other types
Symptoms such as anxiety, heart palpitations, and weight loss
How they are typically diagnosed and treated
The pros and cons of each treatment option—medication, radioactive iodine, surgery, and RFA
Whether these nodules are usually benign or carry cancer risk (spoiler: most are benign)
Patient Stories: Real Lives, Real Relief
Kam’s Story:
Kam struggled with symptoms caused by her toxic nodule and wanted to avoid surgery. RFA provided an effective, low-risk solution.
Stacy’s Story:
Stacy shares how her toxic nodule affected her life and how RFA helped restore her health. Her experience highlights how personalized care and modern treatment options can lead to dramatically better outcomes.
Key Takeaways from This Episode:
Thyroid nodules affect a large portion of the adult population.
RFA is a safe, effective, and non-surgical alternative to thyroidectomy.
Toxic nodules can cause hyperthyroidism-related symptoms and long-term complications.
RFA is less likely than other treatments to cause hypothyroidism.
Real patient stories underscore the power of choosing a tailored, less invasive option.
Dr. Aljammal emphasizes individualized care—what’s right for one patient may not be for another.
RFA can be a first-line option for toxic adenomas, not just a last resort.
Educating patients on all available treatments leads to better, more empowered decisions.
Exciting News from Dr. Aljammal
Dr. Aljammal is expanding his impact! He’s opening a new practice in Washington state, increasing access to nonsurgical thyroid care for more patients. This growth signals a promising future for thyroid patients nationwide, as nonsurgical treatments like RFA become more widely available.
💬 Coming up next:
Thanks so much for joining us! Don’t miss Part Two of this conversation, where Dr. Aljammal and I will dive into thyroidectomy—when it’s necessary, how it’s done, and what to expect with hormone replacement afterward.
Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss it.
Connect with Dr. Jules Aljammal:
Thyroid Clinic Utah:
https://thyroidclinicutah.com/
Thyroid Clinic Washington:
https://thyroidclinicwashington.com/
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Disclaimer: None of the statements made in this or any other blog/video by "Its me Jen again" should be considered medical advice.
The goal of this podcast and blog
I seek to provide data, resources, and expert opinions on the topic of thyroid nodules, and make it accessible to patients. When I was first looking for thermal ablation treatment, everything that I read was physician-facing material. It was very hard for me to understand. This material is meant to help patients understand what's going on in their thyroid gland and what an important gland it is. If you can keep your thyroid intact, that's going to help you live a longer, healthier life, and preserve your quality of life. Thanks for reading this far today! — Jen