Friday, February, 10, 2012

Toxic nodular goiter

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

Toxic multinodular goiter; Plummer's disease


Symptoms

Symptoms are those of hyperthyroidism. However, the bulging eyeballs seen in Graves disease do not occur.

Symptoms include:

  • Fatigue
  • Frequent bowel movements
  • Heat intolerance
  • Increased appetite
  • Increased sweating
  • Menstrual irregularities (in women)
  • Muscle cramps
  • Nervousness
  • Restlessness
  • Weight loss

Signs and tests

A physical examination will show one or many nodules in the thyroid. There may be a rapid heart rate.

Other test results:

  • Serum thyroid hormone levels (T3, T4) are high.
  • Serum TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) is low.
  • Thyroid scan shows that the nodules are taking up increased amounts of radioactive iodine.

Review Date: 05/10/2010
Reviewed By: Ari S. Eckman, MD, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)