Thyroid Artery Embolization (TAE) - Florida Interventional Specialists

A non-surgical alternative to thyroidectomy for goiter and hyperthyroidism.

Thyroid artery embolization (TAE) is a minimally invasive, image-guided, outpatient procedure that shrinks an enlarged or overactive thyroid by reducing its blood supply — without removing the gland, without a neck scar, and usually without committing you to lifelong hormone replacement.

If you’ve been told the only options for your goiter or hyperthyroidism are surgery, radioactive iodine, or medication for life, there is now a third path. Thyroid artery embolization (TAE) is a same-day, image-guided procedure that shrinks the thyroid through a 2-millimeter puncture — without removing the gland, without a neck scar, and without committing you to lifelong levothyroxine.

TAE is outpatient. Most patients go home the same day and return to normal activities within a few days — without a neck incision.

A Florida-leading site, enrolled in a nationwide registry

Florida Interventional Specialists is among the leading sites in the State of Florida offering TAE and is participating in a nationwide multi-institutional clinical registry studying pressure-enabled thyroid embolization. To be considered for enrollment, call 813-844-4570 for a consultation with Dr. Shaikh.

What is thyroid artery embolization?

The thyroid depends on a rich blood supply from the superior and inferior thyroid arteries. By selectively reducing that supply, an interventional radiologist can shrink an enlarged gland and quiet an overactive one. A thin catheter is guided under live X-ray to the thyroid arteries through a wrist or groin puncture, and tiny embolic particles are released to block flow while sparing nearby vessels. The procedure takes 60 to 90 minutes under moderate sedation — not general anesthesia — and most patients go home the same day.

Why a non-surgical option matters

Thyroidectomy means general anesthesia, a permanent neck scar, and almost always a lifetime of levothyroxine. Radioactive iodine avoids surgery but typically causes permanent hypothyroidism. Anti-thyroid medications don’t shrink a goiter. Thermal ablation is good for small nodules but often falls short for tissue over about 30 mL. TAE fills that gap — it treats large multinodular goiters and hyperthyroidism, including Graves’ disease, preserves enough functional tissue that most patients keep normal hormone production, and leaves no neck scar.

What the latest research shows

A 2025 study by Gad and colleagues in the Journal of the Endocrine Society evaluated pressure-enabled thyroid artery embolization (PED-TAE) in 22 patients with multinodular goiter, toxic nodules, and Graves’ disease. Technical and clinical success was 100%. At six months, the mean reduction in thyroid gland volume was 73% — far larger than the 30-to-50% range reported for traditional TAE. Among hyperthyroid patients, 71% reached normal thyroid function. There were no major complications and — critically — no patients developed hypothyroidism. A multi-institutional registry is now extending these findings, and FIS is a participating site.

What to expect

You arrive in the morning, receive moderate sedation, and the wrist or groin access site is numbed. Under live fluoroscopy, Dr. Shaikh maps the thyroid blood supply and releases calibrated embolic microspheres. After several hours of observation, most patients are discharged the same day. Mild neck soreness — post-embolization syndrome — is expected for 1–2 weeks. Improvements follow a predictable arc: hormone levels begin to normalize within the first month, goiter volume typically decreases by more than 50% by 3 months, and substantial overall improvement by 6 months.

Who is a candidate?

TAE is most useful for patients with a symptomatic goiter, a multinodular goiter too large for thermal ablation, or hyperthyroidism — including Graves’ disease — and for anyone who wants to avoid a neck scar and preserve thyroid function. Thyroid cancer must be ruled out first, typically with ultrasound and, where indicated, fine-needle aspiration. We coordinate this workup directly with your endocrinologist.

Frequently asked questions

Will I need lifelong thyroid hormone replacement after TAE?

Most likely not. Unlike thyroidectomy or radioactive iodine, TAE preserves functional thyroid tissue. In the 2025 PED-TAE study, no patients developed hypothyroidism.

Is there a scar on my neck?

No. Access is through a 2-millimeter puncture in the wrist or groin. There is no incision and no surgical scar.

Can I enroll in the clinical study?

FIS is a leading Florida site offering TAE and is participating in a nationwide clinical registry. To be considered for enrollment, call 813-844-4570.

References

Gad S, Kokabi N, Mohnasky M, Tufano RP, Boldo A, Camacho JC. Safety and Efficacy of Pressure-Enabled Thyroid Embolization. Journal of the Endocrine Society, Vol 9, Issue 9, Sept 2025, bvaf117. doi:10.1210/jendso/bvaf117
Tartaglia F, et al. Thyroid artery embolization in the treatment of large symptomatic goiters: a systematic review. Endocrine, 2017.

Schedule a consultation in Tampa, FL

If a goiter or hyperthyroidism is reshaping how you eat, sleep, breathe, or feel — and you’d prefer to avoid surgery and lifelong hormone replacement — we’d like to talk.

Call 813-844-4570

Talk to our team

Our office can answer questions about TAE candidacy, the workup needed before scheduling, recovery, insurance coverage, and how the procedure fits with your endocrinologist’s plan.

813-844-4570

Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Candidacy checklist

Symptomatic goiter or hyperthyroidism
Cancer ruled out (FNA when indicated)
Goal: avoid surgery and hormone replacement
Coordinated with: Endocrinology, endocrine surgery, ENT, primary care

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