On May 25th, the world comes together to raise awareness about a small but mighty organ that plays a crucial role in our health — the thyroid gland.

Millions of people worldwide suffer from thyroid disorders, yet many remain undiagnosed.

As an Otorhinolaryngologist, I've seen firsthand the impact that thyroid disorders can have on patients' lives.

Thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the front of our neck under our skin. The thyroid gland regulates metabolism, body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure through the production of hormones like thyroxine and triiodothyronine.

Fatigue, unexplained weight changes, and hair loss are just a few signs that your thyroid might not be functioning properly.

Thyroid nodules is one example of a thyroid disorder. While 95% of thyroid nodules are benign or noncancerous, we recommend monitoring them over time to see if they grow. If they do, they often affect the voice or cause swallowing problems. If this happens, a doctor may recommend surgery to remove the thyroid or a part of it.

When it comes to surgery, some patients worry about scars. But the good news is that there are scarless alternatives for patients concerned about the appearance and discomfort of thyroid lumps.

The Medical City’s ENT Head and Neck Institute offers Radiofrequency Ablation or RFA, an innovative procedure that uses heat to shrink nodules from the inside.

This procedure preserves healthy thyroid tissue, allowing the organ to function normally without the need for lifelong medication. Most patients who undergo RFA can safely return to their normal activities the following day.