Toxic Adenoma (patient information)

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aditya Ganti M.B.B.S. [2]

A toxic adenoma is a benign tumor of the thyroid gland which produces excessive amounts of thyroid hormone.

Patients with toxic adenomas typically present with signs and symptoms of thyrotoxicosis which include:

• Fatigue
• Unintentional weight loss
• Heat intolerance
• Diaphoresis
• Tremor
• Palpitations
• Diarrhea
• Anxiety
• Nervousness
• Irritability
• Difficulty with mental concentration
• Hairloss

The most common cause of toxic adenoma is iodine deficiency.

Common risk factors in the development of toxic adenoma include:

• Iodine deficiency
• Young adult age
• Family history of thyroid nodules
• Female gender

Measurement of serum TSH is considered as the best initial test in the evaluation of thyroid disorders. The serum free T4 and free or total T3 levels are elevated or in the upper part of the normal range.

Call your healthcare provider if you have symptoms of this condition.

The mainstay of treatment for most patients with toxic adenoma includes radioiodine, anti thyroid drugs. In patients with overt thyrotoxicosis, beta blocker will alleviate the signs and symptoms mediated by the increased beta-adrenergic activity. Alternative treatment modalities include percutaneous ethanol injection, thermoablation, or radiofrequency ablation. Antithyroid drugs are not routinely employed in the management of toxic adenoma.

Medical care for toxic Adenoma can be found here.

There are no established measures for the primary prevention of toxic adenoma.

Prognosis of toxic adenoma is generally good with treatment. About 45% to 75% of patients stay euthyroid following I-131 therapy.

Common complications of toxic adenoma include

• Atrial fibrillation
• Neck compression
• Bone mineral loss
• Thyroid storm
• I-131-related hypothyroidism

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000434.htm

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