TOXIC ADENOMA OF THE THYROID, WITH TRIIODOTHYRONINE AS THE PRINCIPAL CIRCULATING THYROID HORMONE

Abstract

ABSTRACT A case of toxic uninodular goiter in a patient whose major circulating thyroid hormone had the chromatographic characteristics of triiodothyronine is reported. In reviewing the small number of triiodothyronine-secreting patients reported so far, it is apparent that they constitute a very heterogeneous group. However, they had several features in common: normal PBI, high conversion ratio, warm or hot tissue on scintigram, and relative freedom from thyrotoxicity. Although the circulating levels of triiodothyronine reported in these patients would be expected to lead to manifestations of hyperthyroidism, this diagnosis was made in only half of them, and none were severely toxic.