Toxic nodular goiter

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Thyroid enlargement - scintiscan

Thyroid gland

Toxic adenoma; Toxic multinodular goiter; Plummer's disease

Radioactive iodine, surgery, or antithyroid drugs (propylthiouracil, methimazole) are the treatments used for toxic nodular goiter.

Beta-blockers, such as propranolol, can control some of the symptoms of hyperthyroidism until thyroid hormone levels in the body are under control.

Since toxic nodular goiter is primarily 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.

Cardiac (heart-related) complications include rapid heart rate, congestive heart failure, and atrial fibrillation (a rapid and irregular heart rhythm). Another complication of hyperthyroidism is bone loss leading to osteoporosis.

Thyroid crisis or storm is an acute worsening of the symptoms of hyperthyroidism, which may occur with infection or stress. Fever, decreased mental alertness, and abdominal pain may occur, and immediate hospitalization is necessary.

Complications of having a very large goiter may include difficulty breathing, due to pressure on the airway passage that lies behind the thyroid.

Call your health care provider if symptoms of this disorder occur. Follow the health care provider's recommendations for follow-up visits.

Review Date: 05/12/2006
Reviewed By: Robert Hurd, MD, Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.