This Article Full Text (PDF) Submit a related Letter to the Editor Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Copyright Permission Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by HAMBURGER, J. I. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by HAMBURGER, J. I.

Evolution of Toxicity in Solitary Nontoxic Autonomously Functioning Thyroid Nodules

20905 Greenfield, Southfield, Michigan 48075

Address requests for reprints to: Dr. Joel I. Hamburger, 20905 Greenfield, Suite300, Southfield, Michigan 48075.

Between 1961 and 1979, 349 patients with autonomously functioning thyroid nodules (AFTN) were seen. There were 287 nontoxic and 62 toxic lesions. Toxic lesions were seen in 56.5% of AFTN patients over 60 yr of age but in only 12.5% of the younger patients. The female to male ratio was 14.9:1 for nontoxic AFTN patients but only 5.9:1 for toxic AFTN patients. The proportion of toxic AFTN in patients less than 20 yr old (13.8%) was not significantly different from that in patients 20–60 yr old (12.7%). T₃ toxicosis was observed in 46% of those patients with hyperthyroidism. All but 4 of the toxic AFTN measured 3 cm in diameter or larger. AFTN 3 cm or larger were more than twice as common in patients 40 yr or older than in younger patients. Of 159 untreated nontoxic AFTN patients, 14 became toxic within 1–6 yr. One patient in 5 with a nontoxic AFTN 3 cm or larger developed toxicity.

Received November 9, 1979.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				B. Biondi and D. S. Cooper The Clinical Significance of Subclinical Thyroid Dysfunction Endocr. Rev., February 1, 2008; 29(1): 76 - 131. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. Moreno-Reyes, B.-N.-T. Tang, A. Seret, S. Goldman, C. Daumerie, and B. Corvilain Impaired Iodide Organification in Autonomous Thyroid Nodules J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., December 1, 2007; 92(12): 4719 - 4724. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Krohn, D. Fuhrer, Y. Bayer, M. Eszlinger, V. Brauer, S. Neumann, and R. Paschke Molecular Pathogenesis of Euthyroid and Toxic Multinodular Goiter Endocr. Rev., June 1, 2005; 26(4): 504 - 524. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. Hegedus The Thyroid Nodule N. Engl. J. Med., October 21, 2004; 351(17): 1764 - 1771. [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. Hegedus, S. J. Bonnema, and F. N. Bennedbaek Management of Simple Nodular Goiter: Current Status and Future Perspectives Endocr. Rev., February 1, 2003; 24(1): 102 - 132. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. Biondi, E. A. Palmieri, G. Lombardi, and S. Fazio Effects of Subclinical Thyroid Dysfunction on the Heart Ann Intern Med, December 3, 2002; 137(11): 904 - 914. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. Biondi, E. A. Palmieri, S. Fazio, C. Cosco, M. Nocera, L. Saccà, S. Filetti, G. Lombardi, and F. Perticone Endogenous Subclinical Hyperthyroidism Affects Quality of Life and Cardiac Morphology and Function in Young and Middle-Aged Patients J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., December 1, 2000; 85(12): 4701 - 4705. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				F. Aghini-Lombardi, L. Antonangeli, E. Martino, P. Vitti, D. Maccherini, F. Leoli, T. Rago, L. Grasso, R. Valeriano, A. Balestrieri, et al. The Spectrum of Thyroid Disorders in an Iodine-Deficient Community: The Pescopagano Survey J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., February 1, 1999; 84(2): 561 - 566. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				A. R. Hermus and D. A. Huysmans Treatment of Benign Nodular Thyroid Disease N. Engl. J. Med., May 14, 1998; 338(20): 1438 - 1447. [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. Paschke and M. Ludgate The Thyrotropin Receptor in Thyroid Diseases N. Engl. J. Med., December 4, 1997; 337(23): 1675 - 1681. [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. R. Petrone A Primary Care Approach to the Adult Patient With Nodular Thyroid Disease Arch Fam Med, February 1, 1996; 5(2): 92 - 100. [Abstract] [PDF]

				P. A. Clark, B. M. Rogers, and A. D. Rogol Radiological Case of the Month Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, June 1, 1995; 149(6): 697 - 698. [Abstract] [PDF]

				E. L. Mazzaferri Management of a Solitary Thyroid Nodule N. Engl. J. Med., February 25, 1993; 328(8): 553 - 559. [Full Text]

				J. I. HAMBURGER The Various Presentations of Thyroiditis: Diagnostic Considerations Ann Intern Med, February 1, 1986; 104(2): 219 - 224. [Abstract] [PDF]

				H. B. Hahn Jr, J. F. McKenney Jr, and J. C. Stinson Nodular Toxic Goiter in a Teenage Girl Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, September 1, 1982; 136(9): 849 - 851. [Abstract] [PDF]