Interventional radiologist Dr. Sean Golden joins the show to talk through thyroid artery embolization (TAE) — a minimally invasive treatment that cuts off blood supply to an enlarged thyroid gland instead of removing or ablating it, with patients home the same day.
Dr. Golden co-built the TAE program at UW Health alongside Dr. Matthew Niemeyer, and brings a distinct perspective as a physician who came to TAE independently rather than through the more established training pathway.
In this episode:
✅ What TAE is and how it compares to surgery and ablation
✅ Step-by-step: what actually happens during the procedure
✅ Recovery — what to expect in the days and weeks after
✅ UW's hybrid CT angiography suite and why it matters
✅ GE's EmboAssist technology, explained
✅ Current research: contrast deposition, shrinkage timelines, and hormone changes post-procedure
✅ Who is (and isn't) a good candidate for TAE
✅ What Dr. Golden wishes every endocrinologist knew
If you've been researching non-surgical options for an enlarged thyroid or goiter, this conversation covers the clinical detail patients are usually not given.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to TAE & Dr. Sean Golden
01:29 What Is Interventional Radiology?
04:07 From Prostate to Thyroid: How Dr. Golden Got Into TAE
07:36 Building the UW TAE Program
09:47 Expanding Access in the Midwest
11:30 Walking Through the TAE Procedure Step-by-Step
14:10 How Fluoroscopy & Contrast Guide the Procedure
16:03 Choosing the Right Embolization Particles
19:09 Recovery: What to Expect After TAE
21:11 UW's Hybrid CT Angiography Suite
23:09 What Is GE's EmboAssist Technology?
27:35 Does the Roadmap Change Patient Selection?
28:17 Research: Can Contrast Predict Shrinkage?
29:48 Thyroid & Parathyroid Hormone Changes Post-TAE
31:42 Publishing Research & the PROTECT Trial
32:32 Who Is a Good Candidate for TAE?
34:03 Who Isn't a Candidate (and Stroke Risk)
36:42 The Multidisciplinary Care Team
37:50 Treating Graves' Disease with TAE
38:44 How Patients Find This Program
39:36 Results: 60% Volume Reduction Explained
42:06 Long-Term Follow-Up (5-Year Monitoring)
42:42 Where TAE Is Headed as a Field
43:37 What's Needed for Wider Physician Adoption
44:48 What Dr. Golden Wishes Endocrinologists Knew
46:33 Next Steps for Patients Considering TAE
📌 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/patient-navigation-services/
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⚠️ Disclaimer:
This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. No endorsement is given or implied for any specific product, treatment, or physician mentioned. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding your individual medical needs.
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