Frequently asked question: If benign thyroid nodules are caused by toxic multinodular goiter, what does that mean?

You may have more than one nodule, and if your thyroid gland is also working too quickly, then you have what is called toxic multinodular goiter. This disorder can be identified using a blood test, an ultrasound and a radioactive iodine uptake test. With toxic multinodular goiter, you will not have any autoantibodies (TSI) in your blood. A radioactive uptake test will reveal the increased uptake of iodine and also the activity level of the nodules. Multinodular goiter does not occur very frequently. It does, however, occur more frequently in children with McCune-Albright Syndrome. Approximately one in three such children develops this type of hyperthyroidism. The treatment consists of taking medication (antithyroid medicines), although surgery or radioactive iodine treatment often becomes necessary after some time.

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