hot nodule; toxic thyroid adenoma

Introduction

thyroid nodule that takes up radioactive iodide

Pathology

• 'hot nodules' secrete thyroxine
• 'hot nodules' virtually never malignant

Laboratory

• serum TSH low to undetectable
• serum thyroxine & serum free T4 generally elevated (but may be normal)

Radiology

• thyroid scintigraphy indicated rather than thyroid ultrasound
  • thyroid nodule takes up radioactive iodide

Management

• radioactive I-131 ablation
• subtotal thyroidectomy

More general terms

• thyroid nodule

Additional terms

• cold nodule
• toxic multinodular goiter (Plummer's disease)