Toxic nodular goiter involves an enlarged thyroid gland that contains a small rounded mass or masses called nodules, which produce too much thyroid hormone.
Toxic nodular goiter arises from a long-standing simple goiter and occurs most often in the elderly. Symptoms are those of hyperthyroidism, but the protruding eyeballs seen in Graves' disease do not occur. Risk factors include being female and over 60 years old. This disorder is never seen in children.
A thyroid scan shows elevated radioactive iodine uptake in the nodules.
Serum TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) is decreased.
Serum thyroid hormone levels (T3, T4) are elevated.
Review Date: 5/12/2006
Reviewed By: Robert Hurd, MD, Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Endocrinology, General ENT
