Toxic multinodular goiter

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Toxic multinodular goiter

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A 65-year-old woman comes to the clinic due to palpitations and diarrhea. Medical history is significant for type 2 diabetes mellitus, insomnia and anxiety, for which she takes metformin diazepam. During the past year, she had a few episodes of chest pain and pressure, and two weeks ago, she underwent coronary angiography and stenting. Current temperature is 37.0°C (98.6°F), pulse is 110/min and irregular, and blood pressure is 135/85 mmHg. On physical examination, the patient appears nervous and diaphoretic. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

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Thyroid hormones p. 340

in toxic multinodular goiter p. 346

Toxic multinodular goiter p. 346

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In toxic multinodular goiter, also called Plummer’s disease, ‘toxic’ refers to something harmful, ‘nodular’ refers to little lumps or nodules of tissue, and ‘goiter’ refers to a large thyroid gland.

So toxic multinodular goiter is a condition where the thyroid gland enlarges and is filled with lots of little nodules of tissue - each of which produce so much thyroid hormone that it becomes harmful to the body

Normally, the hypothalamus, which is located at the base of the brain, detects low blood levels of thyroid hormones and releases thyrotropin-releasing hormone into the hypophyseal portal system - which is a network of capillaries linking the hypothalamus to the anterior pituitary.

The anterior pituitary then releases thyroid-stimulating hormone, also called thyrotropin or simply TSH.

TSH stimulates the thyroid gland which is a gland located in the neck that looks like two thumbs hooked together in the shape of a “V”.

The thyroid gland is made up of thousands of follicles, which are small spheres lined with follicular cells.

Follicular cells convert thyroglobulin, a protein found in follicles, into two iodine-containing hormones, triiodothyronine or T3, and thyroxine or T4.

Once released from the thyroid gland, these hormones enter the blood and bind to circulating plasma proteins.

Only a small amount of T3 and T4 will travel unbound in the blood, and these two hormones get picked up by nearly every cell in the body.

Once inside the cell T­4 is mostly converted into T3, and it can exert its effect. T3 speeds up the basal metabolic rate.

So as an example, they might produce more proteins and burn up more energy in the form of sugars and fats.

It’s as if the cells are in a bit of frenzy.

T3 increases cardiac output, stimulates bone resorption - thinning out the bones, and activates the sympathetic nervous system, the part of the nervous system responsible for our ‘fight-or-flight’ response.

Summary

Toxic multinodular goiter (TMNG) is a condition characterized by the growth of multiple nodules in the thyroid gland, which can cause the gland to become enlarged and produce too much thyroid hormone. The excess thyroid hormone production can lead to symptoms of hyperthyroidism, including weight loss, rapid heart rate, tremors, and heat intolerance.

TMNG typically develops after prolonged iodine deficiency, which causes hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the thyroid gland. Continued follicular cell division can lead to a genetic mutation of the TSH receptor turning a non-toxic multinodular goiter into a toxic multinodular goiter.

Symptoms include an enlarged thyroid as well as the typical symptoms of hyperthyroidism like weight loss, a rapid heart rate, and hyperactivity. The treatment for TMNG involves medications like beta-blockers and radioactive iodine, or surgery to remove part or all of the thyroid gland.

Sources

  1. "Robbins Basic Pathology" Elsevier (2017)
  2. "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, Twentieth Edition (Vol.1 & Vol.2)" McGraw-Hill Education / Medical (2018)
  3. "Pathophysiology of Disease: An Introduction to Clinical Medicine 8E" McGraw-Hill Education / Medical (2018)
  4. "CURRENT Medical Diagnosis and Treatment 2020" McGraw-Hill Education / Medical (2019)
  5. "Harrison's Endocrinology, 4E" McGraw-Hill Education / Medical (2016)
  6. "Large Multinodular Toxic Goiter: Is Surgery Always Necessary?" Case Reports in Endocrinology (2016)
  7. "Clinical outcomes after estimated versus calculated activity of radioiodine for the treatment of hyperthyroidism: systematic review and meta-analysis" European Journal of Endocrinology (2009)
  8. "Molecular Pathogenesis of Euthyroid and Toxic Multinodular Goiter" Endocrine Reviews (2004)
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