This is a disease that is mainly seen in the elderly and iodine-deficient areas. These nodules are responsible to secrete thyroid hormones. These adenomas are not accompanied by infiltrative ophthalmopathy or dermopathy. Antithyroid antibodies are usually not present in the plasma blood investigation. Test for thyroid stimulating hormone releasing antibody also negative.
Treatment:
· Control thyrotoxicosis with medication
· Radioidodine should follow the medication
· Surgery – indicated if there is any compression symptoms of enlarged thyroid
Some compression symptoms:
· Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) due to compression of the oesophagus by the enlarged thyroid gland
· Dyspnoea (difficulty of breathing)
Other relevant topics:
· Thyrotoxicosis
· Toxic mutinodular goiter
Reference:
1. Oxford handbook of Clinical Medicine. 7th edition. Oxford University Press. 2008.
2. Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment. Lange McGraw Hill. 2009.
