Alternative Names
Toxic multinodular goiter; Plummer’s disease
Definition of Toxic nodular goiter
Toxic nodular goiter involves an enlarged thyroid gland that contains a small rounded growth or growths called nodules. These nodules produce too much thyroid hormone.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Toxic nodular goiter arises from an existing simple goiter. It occurs most often in the elderly. Risk factors include being female and over 60 years old. This disorder is never seen in children.
Symptoms
Symptoms are those of . However, the bulging eyeballs seen in Graves disease do not occur.
Signs and tests
A physical examination will show one or many in the thyroid. There may be a .
Treatment
Treatments include:
Expectations (prognosis)
Because toxic nodular goiter is mainly a disease of the elderly, other chronic health problems may influence the outcome of this condition. The elderly person may be less able to tolerate the effect of hyperthyroidism on the heart.
Review
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. – 5/10/2010
