[cathycnm]

#1069757

Shamrock – Most hyperthyroidism is Graves disease. The thyroid can also sometimes develop nodules that overproduce thyroid hormone – therefore make someone hyperthyroid. The nodules generally show up on thyroid scan and that is how they can tell which is which. So, if you do not have nodules on your scan – then it is highly likely that you have Graves. I believe 80% of hyperthyroid is Graves – I may be off a little but it is some high # like that. Does that help???

[Shamrock]

#1069758

Hi Cathy,
yes it does. Learn something new everyday, right? Thanks!

[Shamrock]

#1019164

I am totally confused. I have had GD for 12 years, had RAI, etc etc… My doctor mentioned recently that not everyone that is hyperthyroid has graves disease. If that’s true, then how can you tell the difference? I thought they were one and the same. If you are hyper, then you have GD. Anyone ever heard of this? Do I need a new doc?
shamrock :” title=”Question” />

[paloma]

#1069759

OK, now, this is worrisome. I just saw my endo yesterday. He says the Graves’ diagnosis is correct. BUT, I do have nodules on my thyroid. I now have conflicting information from cathycnm , saying that if you have nodules, you don’t have Graves. Who is right?

[Ski]

#1069760

This can be an area of confusion. First, most scans will refer to Graves’ results as "toxic multinodular goiter," which basically means the entire thyroid is involved in making thyroid, and QUICK. The scan looks like a picture of a thyroid, all bright, everywhere in the gland.

That is not the same thing as having nodules, which are specific areas of either activity or inactivity. I realize it’s made extra confusing because the word "nodule" appears in both cases.

Graves’ CAN occur along with nodules, though it is rare. They are just typically not the reason behind the hyperthyroidism.

"Hot" nodules, nodules that suck in ALL the iodine you ingest and creating much too much thyroid hormone would indicate that you probably do NOT have Graves’. That kind of nodule can be treated by RAI and you can be left with your normally functioning thyroid, because the iodine is being "hogged" by the nodule, which will then be its undoing when you take RAI. Once that hot nodule is gone, the thyroid typically goes back to acting normal. The scan would look like a big black page, but for one BRIGHT spot.

Cold nodules take in NO iodine and do nothing. Sometimes they are just masses of inactive tissue, sometimes they are malignant tissue. That takes another test to determine conclusively. The scan would look like a scattered set of bright dots, with one big DARK spot.

Does that help?

[paloma]

#1069761

” title=”Smile” /> That helps a lot! My scan showed nodules, but not "hot". I guess my new doc is on the ball! Thank you so much.

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